Why Is My AC Not Working? Tips for Troubleshooting Your HVAC Without A Technician.

As humans, to have some peace of mind, we want everything around us to be perfect. This applies even to the HVAC systems in our homes. With the summer just around the corner, you want to ensure the air conditioning system is operating just fine. But sometimes, we are not sure how the AC unit really works. It seems to be working fine, or it is malfunctioning a little bit, but you just want to make sure that there are no underlying problems that may come up at the most critical moment – when you really need it to be working.

To ensure that there are no major problems with your AC, you need to know how to troubleshoot it. This is the only way you would know if the unit is functioning as it should, and that it is not on the verge of a breakdown. The not so fortunate aspect of this issue is the fact that not everyone knows how to troubleshoot an AC unit. But don’t worry, that’s why we are here.

Of course, when an AC unit malfunctions, the best thing to do is to call an AC technician to come to check it out. Nevertheless, there are some problems that you might be able to fix by yourself. They include the following:

When your AC fails to turn on – when your cooling system fails to turn on, take the following steps before you decide to involve a technician:

• Check if the AC unit is plugged in
• Check the fuses and circuit breakers to see if there is any that’s malfunctioning so that you can have them replaced if need be.
• Check the settings on the thermostat to ensure that they are correct. You may try lowering the temperature to 5-10 degrees.
• Ensure that all the switches are on and are all working properly.
• The problem may be solved by one of these fixes, but if it isn’t, then you can contact a technician, as the problem might be on the motor or compressor.

When your AC unit is not cooling – once your unit turns on, but fails to cool your home down, then in this case you may be dealing with a clogged condenser, filter, or improper thermostat settings. So, what you should do is:

• To check your thermostat settings to ensure that they are correct
• Remove any dirt or debris from the condenser
• Clean or replace the filter
• If none of these fixes help, then the problem may be deeper than we think, which means that it is time to call for help.

When your AC is inefficient – we both know that for an AC unit to be efficient, it needs regular maintenance. But what if you do all these and still notice that the unit is inefficient, and it doesn’t cool your home as it should be doing? Well, then you should conduct the following checks:

• While the AC is on, try closing the windows and doors
• Ensure all the ductwork is not blocked by anything.
• And if you notice some ice on your evaporator coils, switch the unit off and seek help from an AC technician.

Resetting your AC unit
Some issues with your AC – such as a black-out or power surge or an engaged circuit breaker – requires you to reset your thermostat. So:

• You need to ensure that you have power – after a power outage incidence, just turn the light on and check their brightness to see if the power is steady before resetting your air conditioner.
• Then find the reset button – on your unit, you will find a red button that’s marked as a reset button. Check your manual again if you can’t find the button.
• Then press and hold the button for three seconds – repeat this after a few minutes, and you will hear three beeps, meaning that the system is resetting.

If, after this procedure, your AC still won’t turn on, then the problem you are dealing with is bigger and will require the intervention of a qualified AC technician.   

Talking of a reset button, it is important to note that not all AC units have a reset button. That means that in these units, you will have to reboot the unit manually, through the thermostat. Here is how it is done:

• Turn the thermostat and the AC unit off – if you don’t know where the switch-off button on both the AC and the thermostat are, then you need to refer back to the instructions manual. Also, before proceeding to the next step, you need to make sure that the thermostat is set to “off.”
• Reset the circuit breaker – you will need to find the circuit breaker in your AC and turn it off. Mostly, these breakers are in places like closets, basements, and also in crawl spaces. So you shouldn’t have a hard time locating it. Maybe you need to let your family know you are doing this, considering the inconvenience this will cause.
• Wait for 30 minutes – you have to wait for half an hour before you turn the circuit breaker back on. This wait will allow your AC to stabilize and reboot. But if there is still no improvement after switching the circuit breaker back on, then the problem you are dealing with might be more severe, which means that an AC technician will have to look at it.

As we conclude, even though some of these issues can be fixed by the homeowners themselves, there is still significant importance in informing an AC technician about the problem, just to be on the safe side. So, if you suspect the problem with your unit is a bit deeper, call for help. This is for the safety and longevity of your air conditioning system.