Oh no!! With all the lovely warm days outside, my windows have been open, so I didn’t realize my AC wasn’t working. What do I do now that it is almost 90 outside?
With summer just around the corner, the days are heating up. If you like things cool indoors – think 68 to 72 degrees – you will be running your AC a lot.
The thing is, the air conditioner doesn’t always work the way we think it should, or at all. While the AC can get repaired, it is not fun waiting while it is toasty outside. When possible, you want to avoid any problems that might cause your air conditioner to malfunction. That starts with knowing why your AC might not be cooling you and your home.
The 7 Most Common Reasons Your Air Conditioner Is Not Working:
Your thermostat batteries are dead
Ugh! It could be that simple, yes. It may be there is nothing wrong with your air conditioner at all. Your thermostat is not displaying anything, and it is because the batteries need to be replaced. The good news is that you can change them and be on your way to a cool day.
Also, be sure your thermostat is set to Cool. If it is not, you are either running the heat or just spinning the fan.
The indoor or outdoor disconnect switch is off
Yes, there are two disconnect switches.
The indoor disconnect switch could have been turned off accidentally by someone bumping it. The switch may be in your attic or garage. Make sure the disconnect switch is set to the ON position before doing any additional troubleshooting. This might be all you need.
Did you know there is an outdoor disconnect switch? There is! Building codes mandate that switches be installed next to your AC’s indoor and outdoor units. The outdoor switch may have been turned off for any number of reasons. It is easy to check and reset if you find that it has been flipped off.
A Tripped Circuit Breaker or Blown Fuse
One of your breakers may have tripped, so check your breaker box. It might be the one that connects to your HVAC system. Reset it and try the AC again.
If the breaker trips again, consider shutting off other equipment that may be contributing to the problem. Keep in mind that breakers often trip because a circuit is overloaded. If it keeps tripping, call an HVAC professional to diagnose the problem.
You may have blown a fuse. There is a fuse that is connected to your thermostat. A blown fuse between an air conditioner and your thermostat is kind of like a bad battery in your car. You will need to have it replaced before the machinery can do its thing. This is not something you should attempt to fix yourself unless you have special training. The best thing to do is to call a heating and air company to correct the problem.
Dirt Happens
When your thermostat is set to cool, but the air coming out of your vents is not cool, you might have a dirty coil or coils. If these coils get dirty, your system will not be able to remove heat from your home efficiently over time. The air will circulate at about the same temperature and the thermostat setting may get the blame.
There is a coil in your outdoor unit and one in your indoor unit. These coils can get dirty if you do not have your HVAC system serviced regularly. (Hint, Hint)
Keep it Clean! Yes, we are talking about your air filters. If you are not changing or cleaning your air filter based on the manufacturer’s instructions, it will get dirty. Filters can get so clogged with dust and crud that they start to restrict the airflow to your HVAC system. Without enough airflow, the system can freeze up with ice on the coil. This prohibits it from cooling properly.
Damaged HVAC Components
Life happens! The landscaper accidentally busted the refrigerant line; a wire was pulled by mistake when you were working on another project; the kids threw a heavy ball into your outdoor unit and damaged something. Anything is possible.
The best solution to all these problems? Have your HVAC system serviced regularly!
Most of these problems are preventable. When you hire an HVAC professional to analyze your system regularly, you can usually avoid these. A thorough inspection and tune-up should identify issues before they become problems. Address the issue now instead of later when it can be more costly.
At Clarksville Heating & Air, our Service Agreements give you Peace of Mind. Knowing that your system is being maintained by a licensed professional that cares and regular maintenance will help catch potential problems before they develop into major repairs.
Contact us today to schedule your inspection!
