AC Repair in Chelan and Wenatchee, WA: How to Handle 3 Typical Problems

There can be a few explanations why your air conditioning won’t cool: a blown circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a turned off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.

Your system won’t turn on when you have an overloaded breaker.

To find out if one has tripped, go to your home’s main electrical panel. You can spot this gray fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

• Ensure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you work on the panel or breakers.
• Find the breaker marked “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s overloaded the lever will be in the middle of the panel or “off” position.
• Steadily move the switch back to the “on” spot. If it instantly flips again, don’t reset it and get in touch with us at 509-284-4265. A breaker that keeps turning off could signal your residence has electrical trouble.

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your equipment to run, it won’t turn on.

The key point is ensuring it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner might not start running. Or you may receive. heated air blowing from vents because the furnace is running instead.

If you’re using a traditional thermostat:

• Replace the batteries if the screen is clear. If the monitor is displaying jumbled characters, get a new thermostat.
• Ensure the proper mode is on the display. If you can’t change it, cancel it by lowering the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if scheduling is incorrect.
• Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is set the same as the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is calibrated accurately, you should start getting cold air fast.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, including ones produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you still can’t get it to work, call us at 509-284-4265 for help.

Your air conditioner probably has a shut-down device by its condenser. This device is generally in a metal box mounted on your residence. If your AC has recently been tuned up, the lever may have inadvertently been placed in the “off” location.

Condensate drain pans catch the extra water your air conditioner removes from the air. This pan can be found either beneath or inside your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a blockage or backed up drain, water can become concentrated and trigger a safety control to stop your air conditioner.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the additional condensation with a special pan-cleaning tab. You can purchase these tablets at a home improvement or hardware store.

If your pan has a pump, look for the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you might have to install a new pump. Contact us at 509-284-4265 for help.

If your system is on but not providing cold air, its airflow might be obstructed. Or it could not have adequate refrigerant.

Your equipment’s airflow can be decreased by a clogged air filter or filthy condenser.

A filthy filter can create many problems, like:

• Lower comfort
• Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
• Uneven cooling
• Bigger utility expenses
• Leading your system to wear out more quickly

We suggest changing flat filters monthly, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t remember when you last replaced yours, shut off your system fully and remove the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be located in an adjoining filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to the light. If you can’t see through it you should buy a new filter.

Brush, plants and bushes can get in the way of your condensing system. This could limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and change your comfort. Here’s how you can get your system running smoothly again.

1. Shut off the electrical current completely at the breaker or outside switch.
2. Get rid of vegetation debris around the equipment. Once you’ve gotten rid of larger refuse within a two-foot area, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to slowly remove dirt from the unit’s fins. Crooked fins can also affect performance, so you can attempt to correct them with a blunt knife.
3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly clean the fins from inside the unit. Be careful to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
4. Install the top again and turn the power back on.

When cooling systems don’t have enough refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from the air.

Here are a few symptoms that your equipment is leaking refrigerant:

1. It takes too long to cool your space and you’re constantly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
2. Cooling blowing through the registers isn’t as chilly as it should be.
3. You’re experiencing fizzing or burbling sounds when the air conditioning is on.
4. Your evaporator coil is iced over because it’s having difficulty taking on warmth.

Suspect your system is seeping refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service expert to fix the leak and replenish the proper amount of refrigerant in your system. Call us at 509-284-4265 for assistance.

When it feels like you’re not getting enough cold air, there’s likely an obstruction or separation inside your AC system.

• The initial stage is looking at your air filter. Get a new one if it’s dirty.
• Then ensure the registers are clear across your residence.
• If you’re still not receiving enough chilled air, you should have your ducts inspected by a expert like Lakeside Heating & Air. Your ducts may need to be serviced or reconnected in tricky areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.