Checklist: What To Do When Your A/C Goes Out
There's nothing more frustrating than an air conditioning unit that decides to go out on a hot summer day. But before you panic and call a professional, there are a few simple things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. Here are three simple things to do when your air conditioning goes out.
Check the thermostat
It might sound simple, but the first thing to do is check the thermostat. Make sure it's set to "cool" and that the temperature is set lower than the current temperature in your home. If it's not set to "cool," switch it over and see if that makes a difference. If it is set to "cool" but the temperature is not going down, try lowering the temperature a few degrees. If the thermostat is battery-powered, check the batteries to see if they need to be replaced.
2. Check the circuit breaker
If your air conditioning unit is not working at all, it’s possible that the circuit breaker has tripped. Check your home’s electrical panel to see if the circuit breaker that controls the air conditioning unit has been tripped. If it has, flip the switch back to the “on” position. If the breaker trips again, it’s possible that there’s an electrical issue with your air conditioning unit and you should call a professional. If this does get the system working, note that this is very likely a temporary solution, and you should not expect this to last very long. You will still want to call a professional to run a diagnostic. But hey, at least you’ll be cool in the meantime!
3. Clean or replace the air filter
A dirty air filter can cause your air conditioning unit to stop working properly. The filter can become clogged with dust and debris, which can restrict airflow and make it difficult for the unit to cool your home. To clean the filter, turn off the air conditioning unit and remove the filter. If it's washable, rinse it with water and let it dry completely before putting it back in. If it's not washable, replace it with a new filter. You should clean or replace your air filter at least once every three months. This won’t be an immediate fix to bring back comfort, but could be one of the sources to your issue and will be checked by a technician regardless, so it’s a good idea to give them a quick look.
4. Turn off the system, Turn on the fan
At this point, you’ve unfortunately eliminated all simple remedies. Now you need to prepare for a technician and avoid any further damage. Of course, there are a number of things that could have failed or need repairing on your system, and because of that, it’s best to just turn the system off and switch the fan from the “auto” position to “on”.
5. Call a professional
It’s time to call an HVAC technician in your area to come diagnose what is going on with your system. Make sure to do this quickly, especially if you’re in the middle of the hot summer months, so you can get on the schedule. You’ll be able to quickly tell them the simple steps you’ve taken ahead of their arrival to ensure a speedy diagnosis and repair!
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In conclusion, before calling a professional to fix your air conditioning unit, check the thermostat, check the circuit breaker, and clean or replace the air filter. These simple steps can help you troubleshoot the problem and possibly save you money on repair costs. If none of these steps fix the problem, it's best to call a professional to diagnose and repair the issue.
