Sometimes your air conditioning unit may stop working but there might be a simple fix for it that you can handle yourself. So first try to look for a few common problems that are easy fixes to see if you can save yourself some time and money by handling these things on your own.
What to Check
- One of the most common causes for a nonworking air conditioner is a dirty air filter. When the filter gets clogged, the A/C unit can actually freeze on the inside and stop working. Look to see if there is any ice on your unit. It should form on the outside as well if this is the problem. If this is the case, turn off your unit to allow it to thaw. Check all of the vents on the outside of the unit for any debris that could also be clogging them. Next, check the filter and replace it if necessary. Filters are cheap and easy to replace—and they need to be replaced often. Double-check to ensure that you purchase the right air filter for your brand and model of A/C unit and follow your manufacturer instructions for replacing the filter.
- If you overload your unit by making it work too hard, or even simply overload the circuits in your home, the breakers should switch and turn off the power in order to avoid fire danger. Check your main breaker box to see if any of them have flipped. Turn the appropriate ones off and back on. If you have an older air conditioning unit, then check the fuses at the condenser. A bad or blown fuse can cause your unit to stop working, and you will need to replace it.
- It may seem like an obvious thing to check, but you should look at your thermostat. People often call for a repairman just to find that they had their thermostat set to the wrong setting! Check that the cool air is turned on, rather than just the fan. You should also take this time to check that the battery in the thermostat does not need to be replaced. If the battery has lost its power or gone bad, this can be your problem.
If you check all these things and none of them seems to be the problem, just give us a call here at Air Advice Heating & Cooling, and we’ll be happy to come out and get your A/C working perfectly again!
