What To Do If Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Working

Most of us try to avoid the headache of waiting a week or even a few days to have a professional diagnose our air conditioner when it’s not working.  When the temperature starts climbing above 100°F, even waiting a few hours can feel like too much.

Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to make sure your issue warrants a professional opinion. Once you’ve exhausted all the recommendations below, you know that waiting for your licensed service company to take a look will be in your best interest.

If Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Turning On

If your air conditioner isn’t turning on, here’s what you can do:

1. Check your home circuit breaker box.
   You may have a tripped circuit breaker. Reset the circuit breaker for your air conditioner. You can do this by turning the breaker all the way off then switching it all the way on. If the circuit breaker is not labeled or you are unsure, skip this step and call your trusted service company.
2. Check to make sure that your thermostat or control is on and set to cool. Your thermostat or control may be off or set incorrectly. Reset your thermostat or control to your desired temperature.

If Your Air Conditioner Is Blowing Warm Air

If your air conditioner is turning on but is only blowing warm air, try these steps:

1. Check the temperature setting on the thermostat or control.Your thermostat or control may be off or set incorrectly. You may also notice that your indoor unit is running but the outdoor unit is not. Make sure:
• The thermostat is on.
• It’s set to COOL.
• The set temperature is below the current room temperature.
• The fan is set to AUTO.
2. If still no change, try turning off your thermostat or control for 1 to 3 hours to see if it will reset itself.

If Your Air Conditioner Is On But Not Blowing Air

If your system is still turning on but there is no air blowing from your vents, here’s what to do:

• Check your filters. Dirty or clogged filters greatly affect the air flow of your system. Replace (or clean if they are reusable) your filters if they are dirty or clogged.
• Check for signs of a frozen coil. It’s possible for your coil to freeze if it gets dirty. Check for signs of water below the unit and a cold exterior surface of the indoor coil enclosure. Try turning off your thermostat or control for 1 to 3 hours to see if it will defrost.

If Your Air Conditioner Is Constantly Running

There are many possible reasons why your air conditioner constantly running could indicate larger issues.  However, here’s what you can do to make sure it’s not a simple fix:

Check the set point of your thermostat. Your system could be trying to reach a set point that is too extreme. It is recommended that you do not set your thermostat below 75°F in cooling mode. If your thermostat is set well below 75°F, try resetting it to a higher temperature.

If It’s Still Not Working

If you have tried the recommended steps above and your system is still not working, it’s time to call a professional! Contact your trusted HVAC service company to run a diagnostic on your air conditioner. If you are in or near the Menifee, CA area you can book an appointment on our website or call our office to schedule your diagnostic appointment.