Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Sandpoint, Idaho, can appear like a lot of hassle.

There’s a better way. There are several quick remedies you can attempt by yourself that might help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, try this checklist before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like Age Heating & Cooling.

Our experts are standing by at 208-603-2210 when you need expert service. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.

If you want to get an up to date air conditioner, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re in contact with us, contemplate a yearly AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of future malfunctions. We can advise how often you need air conditioner service.

Ready to get started troubleshooting your system? Try our fast tips below. Many of these procedures don’t require any HVAC knowledge.

Age van with a crane in the background lifting an air conditioner unit

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be a couple of explanations why your air conditioning won’t start: a blown circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a turned off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Your system won’t turn on when you have an overloaded breaker.

To check if one has blown, go to your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Confirm your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s tripped the lever will be in the in between or “off” spot.
  • Firmly transfer the switch back to the “on” position. If it immediately triggers again, leave it alone and get in touch with us at 208-603-2210. A switch that keeps turning off could signal your house has electrical trouble.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your system to run, it won’t activate.

The main part is ensuring it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning will probably not turn on. Or you could get. hot air blowing from vents being the heater is on instead.

If you rely on a traditional thermostat:

  • Swap out the batteries if the readout is empty. If the screen is presenting garbled letters, replace the thermostat.
  • Make sure the correct setting is displaying. If you can’t update it, override it by lowering the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if the configuration is wrong.
  • Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the house’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted correctly, you should begin getting refreshing air promptly.

If you have a smart thermostat, like one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at 208-603-2210 for support.

Shut-Off Switch

Your cooling equipment usually has a shut-off switch near its condenser. This switch is commonly in a metal box mounted on your house. If your AC has recently been maintained, the device may have inadvertently been positioned in the “off” setting.

Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans hold the surplus liquid your system takes out of the air. This pan can be situated either beneath or within your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a clog or blocked drain, water can accumulate and prompt a safety control to switch off your air conditioner.

If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the additional liquid with a special pan-cleaning tab. You can get these tablets at a home improvement or hardware shop.

If your pan involves a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you could need to install a new pump. Call us at 208-603-2210 for support.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your system is going but not cooling, its airflow could be clogged. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.

Obstructed Airflow

Your unit’s airflow can be decreased by a blocked air filter or dusty condenser.

How to Put in a New Your Air Filter

A dusty filter can create many problems, including:

  • Lower cooling
  • Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Intermittent cooling
  • Increased cooling expenses
  • Leading your system to stop working faster

We recommend installing new flat filters once a month, and accordion filters every three months.

If you aren’t sure when you last changed yours, turn off your equipment fully and take out the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be found in a connected filter box or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to the light. If you can’t see any light you should replace it.

How to Clean Your Air Conditioning Unit

Weeds, plants and bushes can get in the way of your condensing unit. This can limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and impact your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your equipment running smoothly again.

  1. Turn off electricity fully at the breaker or external lever.
  2. Get rid of vegetation debris around the AC. Once you’ve removed all the debris within a two-foot range, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dirt from the equipment’s fins. Warped fins can also affect capability, so you can attempt to straighten them with a blunt knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Make sure to avoid getting liquid on the fan motor.
  4. Install the top again and restore the power.

Not Enough Refrigerant

When air conditioning systems don’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your house.

Here are a couple of symptoms that your unit is seeping refrigerant:

  1. It takes a long time to refresh your house and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
  2. Cooling moving through the vents isn’t as cold as it should be.
  3. You’re experiencing hissing or gurgling racket when the AC works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frosted on account of having trouble taking on warmth.

Think your system is seeping refrigerant? You need a qualified heating and cooling service expert to fix the leak and replenish the proper level of refrigerant in your system. Get in touch with us at 208-603-2210 for help.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it appears like you’re not getting enough chilled air, there’s probably an obstruction or disconnection inside your AC unit.

  • The first stage is checking your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s dusty.
  • Then check the registers are open throughout your house.
  • If you’re still not receiving adequate chilled air, you should have your ductwork checked by a expert like Age Heating & Cooling. Your duct system could need to be serviced or hooked up again in limited space locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Pro Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you require air conditioning service quickly, contact the HVAC repair experts at Age Heating & Cooling at 208-603-2210. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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