Pinpointing the problem and completing your own AC repair in McKinney and Frisco, Texas, can appear like a lot of work.
It doesn’t have to be like that. There are a few quick remedies you can do by yourself that might help you avoid an AC service call.
When you’re having air conditioning troubles, follow this diagnostic list before reaching out to a heating and cooling repair expert like Bell Mechanical Services.
Our pros are here at 888-863-0560 when you require knowledgeable help. We offer emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.
If you want to buy a new air conditioner, we also can do AC installation.
When you’re talking with us, contemplate an annual AC maintenance plan that may help you bypass future problems. We can tell you when you require air conditioner service.
Prepared to begin finding the problem with your system? Use our easy manual below. Most of these processes don’t involve any HVAC expertise.
Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several causes why your central AC system won’t run: a tripped circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.
Blown Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t run when you have a tripped breaker.
To check if one has gotten overloaded, find your house’s main electrical panel. You can find this metallic box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet are dry before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Locate the breaker marked “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s tripped the lever will be in the middle or “off” position.
- Quickly move the lever back to the “on” position. If it immediately trips again, don’t touch it and call us at 888-863-0560. A switch that keeps flipping could indicate your residence has an electrical issue.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your equipment to work, it won’t turn on.
The key step is making sure it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner may not switch on. Or you might have. heated air moving from vents because the heat is running instead.
If you have a digital thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the monitor is empty. If the readout is showing scrambled characters, get a new thermostat.
- Ensure the right setting is on the display. If you can’t change it, override it by decreasing the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if scheduling is not right.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees below the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is set the same as the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated accurately, you should start getting chilled 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 troubleshooting. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at 888-863-0560 for help.
Turn-Off Switch
Your cooling equipment typically has a shut-down device near its outdoor unit. This switch is generally in a metal box mounted on your residence. If your equipment has recently been worked on, the device may have inadvertently been left in the “off” position.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pan
Condensate drain pans hold the extra water your air conditioner pulls from the air. This pan can be found either under or in your furnace or air handler.
When there’s an obstruction or blocked drain, water can accumulate and prompt a safety feature to switch off your system.
If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus water with a special pan-cleaning tab. You can get these capsules at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan involves a pump, find the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you might have to replace the pump. Call us at 888-863-0560 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your equipment is on but not providing cold air, its airflow may be blocked. Or it may not have adequate refrigerant.
Clogged Airflow
Your equipment’s airflow can be reduced by a clogged air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A dusty filter can lead to countless problems, like:
- Limited airflow
- Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Intermittent cooling
- Bigger energy costs
- Leading your system to wear out faster
We suggest installing new flat filters every four weeks, and accordion filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last installed a new one, shut off your equipment totally and take out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be found in an attached filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.
Hold the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see through it you certainly should replace it.
4 Steps to Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Equipment
Greenery, vegetation and leaves can get in the way of your condensing equipment. This may reduce its airflow, make it less energy efficient and change your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your system operating smoothly again.
- Shut off the electrical current fully at the breaker or outdoor device.
- Get rid of yard rubbish around the AC. Once you’ve gotten rid of bigger refuse within a two-foot range, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to slowly remove dust from the equipment’s fins. Kinked fins can also affect effectiveness, so you can attempt to reshape them with a dinner knife.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully remove gunk off the fins from inside the unit. Don’t get water on the fan motor.
- Replace the top and restore the power.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When AC units don’t have enough refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your residence.
Here are a couple of signs that your equipment is losing refrigerant:
- It takes an extended amount of time to lower the temperature in your home and you’re regularly turning down the thermostat.
- Air coming through the ducts isn’t as chilly as it should be.
- You’re hearing whistling or burbling sounds when the air conditioning works.
- Your evaporator coil is frosted on account of having trouble taking on heat.
Think your unit is leaking refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service professional to take care of the leak and replenish the proper measurement of refrigerant in your equipment. Get in touch with us at 888-863-0560 for help.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it seems like you’re not having adequate amounts of cool air, there’s likely a clog or detachment within your AC unit.
- The beginning stage is looking at your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s soiled.
- Then make sure the ductwork is free across your home.
- If you’re still not experiencing ample chilly air, you should have your ductwork examined by a professional like Bell Mechanical Services. Your duct system may need to be serviced or rejoined in difficult areas 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 Bell Mechanical Services at 888-863-0560. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.