When summertime arrives in the US, every talk in households entails one thing—air conditioners.
How effective is my air conditioning? Is it working? If your AC is working alright, you know that it brings the best comfort when the climate gets hot.
Today, more than 83% of US households have an AC unit. 58% of the homes in the Northeast region have window or wall unit ACs compared to 26% in the Midwest and 16% in the South.
Having an AC system is one thing, maintaining it is the other. Is your air conditioner not working? What do you do? How do you reboot the system?
Follow these simple AC troubleshooting steps.
1. Is Your Air Conditioner Not Working? Check the Electrical Panel
Is your air conditioner not working? If you can’t configure your preferred temperature settings, then the AC is faulty.
Other signs of a malfunctioned AC unit include water leaks and strange noises. Your AC is also faulty if it doesn’t turn off unless you unplug it.
In that case, start your AC troubleshooting by checking the primary electrical panel. Extend your inspection to any secondary electrical panel.
You might notice a broken fuse. If that’s the case, you can reboot the breaker by powering it off. Alternatively, get a new fuse.
2. Resetting the Switches and Overloads
Another tip for central air troubleshooting is resetting the switches and overloads. You should do this, especially if the AC doesn’t power on. You only need to ensure that the switch is on before checking other air conditioner problems and solutions.
After that, unscrew the metal box and check the compressor. Ensure the 240-volt compressor’s setting is on.
3. Configure the Thermostat Settings
If resetting the switches doesn’t work, you should consider reconfiguring your thermostat settings. Typical AC units have two-piece thermostats, including the body and the baseplate. Pull off the thermostat’s body to remove it and access the inner components.
Then, ensure that every wire attaches to the right terminals. Also, it will help if the cover doesn’t come into contact with the wires after closing the body. Reboot your AC unit after replacing the cover and waiting for about five minutes.
4. Is There a Problem in the Condensate Overflow Switch?
How often do you clear condensation from your drainpipe? Inspect the condensate overflow switch before troubleshooting the AC unit not turning on. Typically, the float switch shuts off the AC unit when the system experiences a clogged drain.
If that’s the case, clear the drainpipe, and your system is good to go.
5. Fixing the Capacitor and Contractor
How do you know that the capacitor and contractor are not working? You need to focus your inspection on the capacitor because that’s where the problem likely emanates from. The capacitor normally fits in the outdoor unit.
The fan motor will have problems turning on if there is a hitch in the capacitor. You can notice this by hearing a hum or buzz. In that case, it’s best to replace the capacitor.
Know When and How to Troubleshoot Your AC
AC problems will always manifest when you need the unit the most. This can be during a heat wave when nearly all technicians are busy. So, is your air conditioner not working?
You already know what to do. Attempting these AC troubleshooting tips could save you some repair costs.
If you have no success at all, contact us today to schedule a professional AC inspection and repair.
