Troubleshooting Steps

Before you call here are some helpful troubleshooting step

Air Conditioner Troubleshooting: Why Your AC Is Not Cooling

If your AC is not blowing cold air or is simply not working or turning on, we can help. Learn AC fixes you can try yourself to save time and money. This air conditioner troubleshooting guide details common AC problems and solutions needed to get your home back to its ideal comfort.

AC is not turning on

If your AC is not turning on, it could mean you have one or more of the following issues:

What you can do

Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot why your AC is not turning on:

The thermostat is not turned on or has dead batteries
Check your thermostat to see if it is off or showing a blank display. If it is, try to switch it on. If the thermostat does not turn on, it could also have dead batteries. Replace the batteries in the thermostat to see if that fixes the problem.
The circuit breaker is tripped
A common problem is the circuit breaker switching on and off, especially when using too many appliances at once, or there are power surges after a storm. Locate your electrical panel and check the AC switch. If it is in the “OFF” position, switch it to “ON.” If the circuit continues to trip the circuit might be overloading. Call an electrician immediately to troubleshoot further and prevent electrical issues.
The furnace switch is turned off
Most furnaces have a switch, which often looks like a light switch that supplies power to the furnace. Check and make sure that this switch is turned to the on position.
The air filter is clogged or dirty
Set your AC to “OFF’ and turn off the breakers that supply it with power. Clean or replace the filters.
The AC drain line is clogged
Lack of maintenance will cause the AC drain line to clog with debris and other gunk. You can keep your condensate drain line clean by pouring a cup of boiling water down your drain pipe every month or so. Before you do this, be sure to turn off the air conditioner and power supply to the unit. It’s always a good idea to consult your local HVAC technician for help unclogging the AC drain line.
The AC has a motor failure
A capacitor charges your AC motor and if your AC system’s life span is up, a faulty capacitor could be the culprit for its failure to turn on. In this case, a professional technician can help you diagnose if this is the problem.

Your air conditioner is running but not lowering the thermostat temperature

If your air conditioner is running or won’t turn off but not lowering the temperature inside your home, there are a few things that could be the problem:

What you can do

Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot why your air conditioner is running but not lowering the temperature inside your home:

The thermostat is set incorrectly
Check your thermostat setting and make sure it’s set to cool. If it is set to cool, check the thermostat setting to ensure it’s at your desired temperature. If it’s not set to cool, switch to cooling operation.
The air filter is dirty
Set your AC to “OFF’ and turn off the breakers that supply it with power. Clean or replace the filters.
The outdoor condenser is dirty or blocked
One issue could be a blocked or clogged condenser coil. When operating correctly, the condenser fan draws air into the outdoor unit through the condenser coil to pull heat energy out of your home.
If you suspect the condenser unit is blocked, contact Schwantes Heating & Air Conditioning to have the coil professionally cleaned. The AC fan may also be to blame.
The refrigerant may be low or leaking
Refrigerant is a chemical that is instrumental in the cooling process. It flows through the AC system’s indoor and outdoor coil, changing from liquid to gas form, drawing heat and humidity, and releasing outdoors. A refrigerant leak could be the culprit of the house not cooling properly. This issue is another job for a professional HVAC technician.
The AC is undersized
Air conditioners are sized according to how much cooling they provide in BTUs. Sometimes, ACs are not the ‘right size’ for your home, depending on several factors, including square footage, quality of construction and insulation, local climate, and more.
The best way to address sizing issues is to connect with Schwantes Heating & Air Conditioning, who can assess your home and its optimum cooling capacity. In some instances, you may be able to add ductless units to the home to assist in the cooling, or you may need to replace the air conditioner system with one that’s the right size.

Water on the floor around and under the furnace

If you have water on the floor around and under the furnace, there are a few things that could be the problem:

What you can do

Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot why you may have water on the floor around and under your furnace:

The air filter is dirty
A dirty filter blocks the airflow through your indoor AC Coil, causing it to freeze into a block of ice. This, in turn, inhibits the air flow through the coil, and as the ice melts, it can overflow the coil pan and leak into the furnace or onto the floor and surrounding area. Set your AC to “OFF’ and turn off the breakers that supply it with power. Clean or replace the filters and turn your “Fan On” switch on your thermostat to melt and clear a path for air to flow. This could take as little as a few hours or as long as a day to open up the coil for airflow.
The AC drain line is clogged
Lack of maintenance will cause the AC drain line to clog with debris and other gunk. You can keep your condensate drain line clean by pouring a cup of boiling water down your drain pipe every month or so. Before you do this, be sure to turn off the air conditioner and power supply to the unit. It’s always a good idea to consult your Schwantes Heating and Air Conditioning for help unclogging the AC drain line.
The refrigerant may be low or leaking
Refrigerant is a chemical that is instrumental in the cooling process. It flows through the AC system’s indoor and outdoor coil, changing from liquid to gas form, drawing heat and humidity, and releasing outdoors. A refrigerant leak could be the culprit of the house not cooling properly and water leaking onto your floor. This issue is another job for a professional HVAC technician.

Call us at (651) 730-1123 to learn more!

Troubleshooting Steps

Before you call here are some helpful troubleshooting step

Air Conditioner Troubleshooting: Why Your AC Is Not Cooling

AC is not turning on

What you can do

Your air conditioner is running but not lowering the thermostat temperature

What you can do

Water on the floor around and under the furnace

What you can do

© 2024 - All Rights Reserved

About

Heating

Cooling

Products

Heating

Cooling

Products

Services