Your air conditioning unit may not be working like it’s supposed to, which can be inconvenient when it’s summer and you’re relying on your AC to keep everyone in your home cool and comfortable. Is it a problem you can fix on your own? How do you know when to call a Ft Worth AC repair professional in your area to help? The professionals on our team are here to help. Malfunctioning thermostats, dirty compressors and tripped circuit breakers are a few common causes of HVAC woes.
Sometimes common AC problems can be fixed without the help of a professional. We at Aire Serv would like to give you five AC troubleshooting tips to consider before calling an HVAC technician for assistance.
1. Tripped Circuit Breaker
Many Ft Worth homeowners have experienced an AC breakdown – but a system not turning on isn’t always a sign of a failing system. This could be a sign of a tripped circuit breaker in the fuse box. An initial power surge could have tripped a breaker or maybe blown a fuse.
Check your breaker box and turn the correct circuit breaker to the off position. Then reset it by turning it back on. If this is the problem, your air conditioner should work just fine.
In the case that resetting the circuit breaker doesn’t work, don’t try flipping it again. Also, do not attempt to open the electrical panel to check for wiring problems. Electrical work is best handled by a professional technician. It is never a good idea to compromise your safety – reach out to our team for dependable AC repairs.
2. Temperamental Thermostat
Is your AC constantly running? Although it’s tempting to leave your AC running, especially during hotter weather, it’s important that your indoor temperature is properly set. A cooling unit that consistently runs could freeze up, wear down components or rack up your utility bill.
The trick here is to set your thermostat to a higher indoor temperature – even a few degrees can make a difference. If your AC shuts off, this means that it worked and the indoor temperature was set too low. Make sure to keep an eye on your thermostat settings to minimize overworking your system.
While you can manually adjust your thermostat throughout the day and from season to season, it’s not your only option. Consider investing in a smart or programmable thermostat to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round.
3. Dirty Air Filter
Does your system fail to complete a whole cooling cycle? This is called short cycling – which happens when there’s a dirty air filter, dirty evaporator coil or clogged condenser unit. If the problem isn’t fixed, short cycling can cause damage to your compressor as well.
The solution is likely an air filter change or condenser unit maintenance. Make sure you schedule seasonal tune-ups to keep your AC running smoothly. You can also prevent this problem from happening in the first place by routinely changing your air filter.
4. Poor Air Flow
When inspecting your AC, you might be surprised to find that it is frozen. This issue can be caused by a dirty air filter or problems with the refrigerant. If you suspect a refrigerant leak, call our team. Do not try to repair refrigerant problems by yourself.
Also, walk around your home and check all your air vents to ensure they’re open and aren’t blocked by furniture. It can be easy to forget to check vents in unused rooms, so be sure to check those as well!
5. Dirty Condenser Unit
Every time you enter your home, you want it to be the right temperature. Maybe one day the air doesn’t feel as cool as you’d expect. The problem could be one of a few things. First, try lowering the thermostat by five degrees and see if that makes a difference.
Another reason could be that the condenser box is dirty, preventing warm air from being released outside. You can clean your outdoor unit yourself or have professional help with that process. To clean your unit on your own, you can do the following:
- Turn off your AC unit
- Clear away any debris surrounding the equipment
- Carefully clean the fins from the inside using a garden hose
- If manufacturer approved, use a no-rinse coil cleaner on the evaporator coil
In case your outside unit is very dirty, reach out to our team for professional HVAC maintenance. Also, as with other tips, make sure you schedule seasonal maintenance to keep your system running efficiently. Try a few of these tips to see if they can help your AC unit blow cool air again as normal.
Turn To Aire Serv For AC Maintenance
As you can see, many of these problems can be fixed with regular AC maintenance. These are just a few troubleshooting tips for some problems, but there might even be problems we haven’t addressed.
If you tried these tips and your AC still isn’t working, it may be time to call a professional at Aire Serv. We can help with all your HVAC needs, including diagnosing problems and providing repairs and professional AC installation services. Don’t hesitate to reach out today!
