When your air conditioner is just plain not working, it seems obvious that repairs are necessary. Or who knows, maybe you need a whole new air conditioner! Here’s the thing, though: sometimes the problem isn’t as bad as it seems, especially if you live in an older house where exploring HVAC options for older homes can provide solutions beyond simple repairs.
What should I check before calling HVAC repair service when my AC stops working?
- Check the circuit breaker: Make sure the AC’s breaker hasn’t tripped. Reset it if needed.
- Inspect thermostat settings: Ensure it’s set to “Cool” and the temperature is lower than the room’s current temperature.
- Replace dirty air filters: A clogged filter can block airflow and cause the system to shut down.
- Look for ice buildup: Ice on the indoor or outdoor unit can signal restricted airflow or refrigerant issues.
- Test the batteries in the thermostat: Weak or dead batteries can cause communication failure.
Examine the outdoor unit: Remove any debris like leaves or grass that could block airflow.
While we would never encourage anyone to DIY an AC repair—you could injure yourself, damage the system, and void your warranty—there are times when repairs are not actually necessary. Before you decide it’s time to call in the experts for an air conditioner that’s not working, go through this simple troubleshooting checklist.
1: Inspect the Electrical Panel for Tripped Breakers
The electrical panel, which is also sometimes called the circuit breaker box, is like a traffic conductor for the electrical needs and flow in your home. To prevent massive problems such as electrical fires, the panel will shut down a circuit if too much electricity is called for in that one place all at once.
Take a look at that panel, which will have switches all lined up. If one is flipped to the wrong side, it’s because it was tripped. Your air conditioner’s not broken, it’s just not getting any power. Now, if it keeps tripping the circuit breaker, that could indicate an electrical problem with the AC unit. But it might just be that too many things were plugged into the circuit at once, and there’s no problem at all.
2: Confirm Thermostat Is Set to Cooling and Desired Temperature
Homeowners are often terribly embarrassed when they’ve called for repairs only to find that they simply changed their thermostat settings by accident. Save yourself from this fate by checking your thermostat before deciding repairs are necessary. It could be that a switch was bumped, and instead of being set to cool, it’s now set to heat or off.
Other thermostat possibilities include energy-saving, away-from-home programming being unintentionally activated, or even batteries at the end of their life sending inconsistent signals. Check thoroughly, and try new batteries, before you determine that you need help from certified HVAC contractors.
3: Replace or Clean Dirty Air Filter to Restore Airflow
If the air conditioner isn’t entirely failing to start but is instead shutting down almost immediately every time it does start, you have a different problem. This is called short cycling and can be caused by a lot of different things such as an overheating blower fan motor or a leak in your refrigerant coils. These things need professional attention. But wait! It could be something simpler, like issues related to a broken air conditioner fan, which can disrupt airflow and mimic bigger system failures.
Your air conditioner’s air filter should be changed at least every single month during the hottest stretch of the summer. If there’s extra dust around your house, perhaps due to nearby construction or shedding pets, it might need to be changed even more frequently. A clogged filter can cause the system to overheat and shut down, cool off and start up, and overheat again immediately.
If you’ve been concerned about your air conditioner not working in Okemos, MI, perhaps we’ve helped you to solve your problem already. If not, reach out and get the help you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What should I check first if my air conditioner isn’t turning on at all?
Answer: Start with the electrical panel — look for tripped breakers or blown fuses. Then check your thermostat settings to confirm it’s set to “cool” and the temperature is lower than the current room temperature.
Question: Could the thermostat be the reason my AC runs but doesn’t cool?
Answer: Yes. If the thermostat is set incorrectly (e.g. to “heat” or “fan” instead of “cool”), or if the batteries are dead, the AC may run but not cool. Always verify mode, temperature setting, and the battery status.
Question: How often should I change or clean my air filter, and why does it matter?
Answer: You should change or clean the air filter at least once a month during hot weather; more often if there’s a lot of dust, pets, or debris. A clogged filter restricts airflow, which can cause short-cycling or force the system to overheat and shut down.
Question: What issues around the outdoor unit can cause cooling failure?
Answer: Dirt, leaves, or plants around the condenser unit may block airflow. Also, if the condenser coils are dirty, heat dissipation is reduced. Ensuring plenty of clearance and cleaning the outdoor unit helps.
Question: When is it time to call a professional instead of trying more troubleshooting?
Answer: Call a technician if you see signs of refrigerant leaks (hissing, ice), if breakers keep tripping, motors or capacitors fail, or electrical issues are involved. Also call when the system is frozen or if cleaning or adjustments haven’t fixed the cooling problem.
Contact A-1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling for AC repair in Lansing, MI. Comfort and Character You Can Depend On.