Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several explanations why your AC equipment won’t work: a blown circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a turned off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Triggered Circuit Breaker
Your AC won’t start when you have an overloaded breaker.
To check if one has blown, locate your house’s main electrical panel. You can locate this metallic fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Confirm your hands and feet aren’t wet before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s tripped, the lever will be in the "off" position.
- Firmly move the lever back to the “on” location. If it instantly trips again, don’t touch it and contact us at 509-284-4265. A switch that keeps flipping might signal your home has an electrical problem.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t telling your system to work, it won’t switch on.
The main point is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner may not start running. You may also receive hot air blowing from vents being the heater is on instead.
If you rely on a traditional thermostat:
- Replace the batteries if the readout is blank. If the readout is displaying scrambled characters, replace the thermostat.
- Ensure the right program is on the display. If you can’t alter it, cancel it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if the configuration is wrong.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees below the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the space’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should receive chilled air promptly.
If you rely on a smart thermostat, including ones produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you’re still having problems, call us at 509-284-4265 for assistance.
Shut-Off Switch
Your cooling equipment usually has a shut-off switch by its outside unit. This switch is typically in a metal box hung on your residence. If your unit has recently been serviced, the device may have inadvertently been turned off.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the surplus water your AC pulls from the air. This pan can be found either under or inside your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a clog or clogged drain, water can become concentrated and prompt a safety control to turn off your air conditioner.
If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the additional condensation with a formulated pan-cleaning tab. You can purchase these tablets at a home improvement or hardware store.
If your pan has a pump, locate the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you might have to replace the pump. Reach us at 509-284-4265 for assistance.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your air conditioner is working but not delivering cold air, its airflow might be clogged. Or it might not have adequate refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your system’s airflow can be reduced by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.
How to Replace Your Air Filter
A filthy filter can lead to countless issues, like:
- Limited airflow
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Uneven cooling
- Larger utility expenses
- Leading your system to break down faster
We suggest changing flat filters every four weeks, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t remember when you last replaced your filter, shut off your system fully and remove the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be found in a connected filter box or wall-mounted return air grille.
Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see any light, you need to replace it.
How to Clean Your Cooling Unit
Greenery, plants and leaves can get in the way of your condensing unit. This could limit its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your equipment operating properly again.
- Turn off electricity completely at the breaker or outside device.
- Clear greenery waste around the equipment. Once you’ve cleared all the debris within a two-foot radius, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dirt from the unit’s fins. Misshapen fins can also affect effectiveness.
- Use a hose nozzle to carefully take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Don’t get water on the fan motor.
- Restore the power.
Leaking Refrigerant
When cooling units don’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your residence.
Here are a couple of symptoms that your system is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes an extended amount of time to lower the temperature in your rooms and you’re regularly turning down the thermostat.
- Air moving through the registers isn’t as cold as it should be.
- You’re hearing hissing or gurgling noises when the air conditioning works.
- Your evaporator coil is frozen on account of having trouble absorbing humidity.
Think your system is leaking refrigerant? You need a qualified heating and cooling service specialist to repair the leak and restore the right level of refrigerant in your system. Get in touch with us at 509-284-4265 for support.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it feels like you’re not having adequate amounts of cold air, there’s potentially an obstruction or detachment somewhere in your cooling system.
- The beginning stage is examining your air filter. Get a new one if it’s dusty.
- Make sure the ductwork is open around your residence.
- If you’re still not getting sufficient cold air, you should have your duct system inspected by a expert like Lakeside Heating & Air. Your ducts might need to be serviced or rejoined in difficult locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.