Has your AC stopped working? This is a frustrating problem, especially if you discover it during a hot, humid summer day in Edison, NJ. In other words, when you need your air conditioner most. In this quick guide, we’re covering the top reasons that air conditioners stop working, explaining troubleshooting methods to try, helping you diagnose symptoms of common AC issues, and letting you know when to contact a professional for help.
How To Diagnose AC Problems Before Calling a Pro
So your air conditioning unit isn’t working. Before you give up hope and call a professional AC repair expert, try these simple troubleshooting and diagnosis steps. Depending on the nature of the issue, you may be able to get your system up and running yourself!
Check your thermostat
This might sound obvious, but you’d be amazed at how often an incorrectly set thermostat is to blame for air conditioner problems, such as an AC that isn’t blowing cold air. Before you start stressing about an AC shutdown, confirm that your thermostat is set to ‘cool’ or ‘auto’ and that the set temperature is correct. If the thermostat is correctly set, move on to the next troubleshooting step.
Check and change the air filter
Another common cause of AC issues, such as short-cycling or musty odors, is a dirty, clogged air filter. Depending on your unit type and your typical AC usage, these filters need to be changed every 1 to 3 months on average. If you’re experiencing problems with your home cooling system, start by finding your air filter and replacing it. Often, this resolves AC issues.
Double-check breakers
If your AC is completely non-functional, the issue could be with the power supply. Find your breaker box and check that none of the breakers supplying power to your air conditioner have been tripped. Remember that your unit is likely on two different breakers — one for the indoor unit and one for the outdoor unit.
If a breaker has been tripped, use extreme caution. Breakers trip automatically to prevent dangerous electrical overloads, which may indicate a more significant issue with the unit. While flipping the breaker back on once is probably fine, it’s a sign of a major issue if you have to do it repeatedly (not to mention a serious hazard). If your breakers are continuously tripping, leave the unit powered off and contact a professional.
Why Is Your Air Conditioner Not Turning On?
If your unit still isn’t working after the above troubleshooting methods, you’ll need to look a little deeper to locate the source of the problem. Here are a few common reasons your air conditioner won’t turn on.
Tripped breaker or blown fuse
Power surges and other electrical issues can cause the breakers supplying your air conditioner to trip, cutting off the power to the unit as a protective measure. As we mentioned, this isn’t a massive concern if it just happens a single time — simply flipping the breaker back on may be enough to resolve the issue. However, if the breakers are continuously tripping, it’s usually a sign of a malfunctioning AC, and you’ll need to contact a professional to safely repair it.
A related issue is the fuse, which is located on the shutoff box of the outdoor AC unit. While fuses work similarly to breakers, interrupting the supply of power when it reaches dangerous levels, they are permanently destroyed when they get overloaded and can’t be flipped back. If your fuse is blown, you’ll need to replace it to get your unit running again.
Thermostat problems
Problems with the thermostat are another common cause of AC issues. If your settings are correct, but the AC isn’t functioning, it could be a sign of a problem with the thermostat’s calibration, electrical connection, or temperature sensors. Fortunately, thermostat issues are relatively easy for a trained HVAC technician to fix.
Frozen evaporator coil
If your AC’s outdoor condenser unit gets too clogged with dust, dirt, and other debris, it will block airflow into the system. This can cause the temperature to drop in the unit, freezing the evaporator coils and preventing the system from operating. You can try to resolve this by turning off the system, allowing the ice to melt, and then thoroughly cleaning your AC condenser and letting it dry out completely. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need help from an AC repair pro.
Low refrigerant
Low refrigerant, caused by AC leaks, can cause freezing in your unit or prevent your AC from blowing cold air. If you suspect that your system is low on refrigerant, don’t attempt to fix it yourself. Contact a qualified HVAC repair team that holds the necessary certifications to work on refrigerant systems.
Blocked condensate drain line
Another common cause of AC issues is a blockage in the condensate drain line. This prevents condensation from exiting the system, leading to added stress on components, leaking water from your unit, and poor temperature control in your home. Make sure to regularly check and clear your drain pan and drain line of any debris.
Faulty capacitor or motor
Your AC has a capacitor, which provides a small amount of energy to help your AC motor begin running. If either of these components is faulty, it will prevent your air conditioner from running at all. Due to the high risk of electrical hazards when working on these components, it is recommended to leave these repairs to a trained expert.
When To Call a Professional
In general, we recommend contacting a professional if you can’t immediately spot the cause of AC issues. While some things, such as clearing the drain line, changing the air filter, or resetting the thermostat, are easy, DIY-friendly tasks, most other repairs are more complex (and dangerous) and should be left to an expert to prevent system damage or injury.
Not only does an AC repair pro know how to fix refrigerant leaks and swap out bad capacitors, but they also know how to diagnose AC problems quickly and reliably. They’ll also take the opportunity to inspect the entire system, determining if the unit is fixable or if it’s beyond repair and should simply be replaced. This ultimately saves you time and money, as many people aren’t familiar enough with HVAC systems to confidently find the source of more complex issues.
Get Your AC Up and Running with Sam’s Air Control
An air conditioner shutdown can be a serious problem, especially on a hot summer day when your home is warming up. Working with a professional to ensure quick, safe repairs is often better than spending time and money trying to diagnose the problem and risking damage to your unit (or yourself) while attempting to fix it.
At Sam’s Air Control, we have the skills and experience to rapidly locate the source of your AC problem, make the necessary repairs quickly and efficiently, and get your system safely up and running faster. So whether you’re facing an AC shutdown, intermittent problems with your system, or are looking to prevent AC issues in the future, we’ve got you covered. Schedule a service today to ensure your system is in perfect working order!
