Troubleshooting why your house AC stopped working can be daunting. In this post, the experts at Solution Based Plumbing, Heating, and A/C discuss common causes of a broken A/C system, along with possible solutions.
Your A/C Unit Won’t Turn on At All
It sounds simple, but checking your thermostat is a good place to start. Make sure it is set to “cool” and lower the temperature by five to ten degrees to see if this kicks the A/C on. Depending on your thermostat, the fix can be as simple as installing new batteries.
Next, ensure that both the indoor and outdoor disconnect switches are set to “on” and check to see if the condenser unit on the outside of the building is running. Disconnect switches can usually be found near indoor and outdoor units and can accidentally get bumped “off” depending on their location.
If the unit still won’t turn on, check for a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. If everything seems in order, the problem could be a faulty motor or compressor, or your coil might be frozen. Contact an HVAC professional to assess the problem.
Your A/C Unit Won’t Cool the Air
If your unit is running, but not cooling the air, check that the outside condenser is clear of dirt, debris, weeds or other foliage. You’ll also want to ensure there is enough space around the unit to allow proper air circulation.
Check the filter and make sure it is clean – some filters need to be replaced frequently, while reusable filters need to be cleaned. A dirty air filter can block airflow and cause your evaporator coil to freeze. If your A/C unit runs often or you have furry pets, you might have to change filters more often. If the problem persists, have an HVAC professional evaluate your unit.
Your A/C Unit is Not Cooling Efficiently
If your unit is properly sized for your home, it should be able to keep a temperature difference of 20-25 degrees between indoor and outdoor temperature. This means a unit might not be able to maintain the lower temperatures you are used to on extremely hot days. If your A/C struggles to cool effectively on a normal summer day, however, you might need to clean the unit, change/clean air filters or schedule a professional tune-up.
SBPHA/C Can Help if Your House A/C Stopped Working!
SBPHA/C offers services that include diagnosis, installations and maintenance. If you live in Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia, Delaware or Chester County, contact us at 215-584-2098 for all your plumbing, heating and air conditioning needs!