Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be a few reasons why your central AC system won’t run: a blown circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Overloaded Circuit Breaker
Your air conditioning won’t start when you have a tripped breaker.
To find out if one has tripped, go to your house’s main electrical panel. You can find this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” position. If it’s tripped, the switch will be in the "off" position.
- Quickly move the lever back to the “on” location. If it instantly triggers again, don’t reset it and call us at 763-535-2000. A fuse that keeps tripping could indicate your residence has electrical trouble.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t signaling your equipment to start, it won’t activate.
The main point is checking it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner may not start running. You might also get warm air blowing from vents being the heat is going instead.
If you rely on a regular thermostat:
- Put in new batteries if the readout is clear. If the readout is displaying jumbled letters, buy a new thermostat.
- Check the correct mode is showing. If you can’t alter it, cancel it by dropping the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if programming is wrong.
- Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat matches the room’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is set accurately, you should start getting cool air quickly.
If you have a smart thermostat, including ones produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for help. If it still won’t work, contact us at 763-535-2000 for help.
Shut-Down Switch
Your system usually has a shut-off switch around its outside unit. This lever is commonly in a metal box mounted on your residence. If your AC has recently been maintained, the switch may have unintentionally been turned off.
Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the surplus liquid your system takes out of the air. This pan can be positioned either under or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a clog or backed up drain, water can become concentrated and trigger a safety control to switch off your air conditioner.
If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the surplus liquid with a special pan-cleaning capsule. You can get these tablets at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan involves a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you may need to replace the pump. Call us at 763-535-2000 for support.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your air conditioner is on but not providing cold air, its airflow might be obstructed. Or it may not have sufficient refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be reduced by a clogged air filter or dirty condenser.
How to Put in a New Your Air Filter
A dirty filter can lead to a lot of problems, like:
- Lower airflow
- Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Increased electricity bills
- Leading your system to wear out sooner
We suggest changing flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months.
If you aren’t sure when you last replaced your filter, turn off your equipment totally and take out the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be located in an adjoining filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.
Hold the filter up to the sunshine. If you see a lot of dust, you certainly should get a new one.
4 Tips on Cleaning Your Cooling Unit
Greenery, plants and shrubbery can block your condensing system. This can limit its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s how you can get your equipment running smoothly again.
- Turn off the electrical current fully at the breaker or external lever.
- Remove vegetation rubbish around the unit. Once you’ve removed all the debris within a two-foot area, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to carefully remove dirt from the condenser fins. Deformed fins can also impact performance.
- Use a hose nozzle to slowly clean the fins from inside the unit. Be careful to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
- Restore the power.
Low Refrigerant Levels
When cooling equipment doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your residence.
Here are several flags that your equipment is losing refrigerant:
- It takes an extended amount of time to lower the temperature in your house and you’re continually decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
- Cooling blowing through the ducts isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re experiencing whistling or bubbling sounds when the AC is on.
- Your evaporator coil is iced over on account of having trouble taking on humidity.
Think your unit is seeping refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service professional to fix the leak and replenish the correct measurement of refrigerant in your unit. Contact us at 763-535-2000 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it appears like you’re not having enough cold air, there’s usually a blockage or separation within your AC system.
- The initial place is checking your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s filthy.
- Make sure the registers are open around your residence.
- If you’re still not getting adequate chilled air, you should have your ductwork examined by a expert like GV Heating & Air. Your ducts might need to be repaired or hooked up again in difficult areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.