For many people, the weather is too hot to think about anything else. So it's no surprise this time of year brings a flood of calls to air conditioner contractors. What surprises many people is that their AC unit may not need a repair at all — a simple adjustment could fix the problem. But how do you know if you need your AC serviced or if it's something you can handle yourself? For seven common reasons why your air conditioner won't turn on, see this article.
Thermostat Problems
Your air conditioner turns on automatically when your thermostat tells it to. Your thermostat talks to your AC, so if it is not working properly, there is nothing for your AC to work with. Make sure that the thermostat is on and that you can see what it says on the screen. If not, try turning on the thermostat.
If your thermostat still won’t turn on, there could be a problem with its power supply. You will need to replace the batteries if the problem persists.
If you are still having the same problem, it could be time to trade in that thermostat for a newer model. There could be an electrical issue with your thermostat that requires a professional technician to diagnose.
Blown Fuse
The fuse box is on the outside of your house, near the condenser unit. Turn off the AC and power supply before approaching this area. Failing to do so may result in electrocution.
Now that you have turned off the power, it’s time to test for continuity with a multimeter. If one of the fuses has gone out, it’s time to purchase a new one at a hardware store or online. Before you do, take a picture of it to make sure you know the make and model.
Refrigerant Leak
ACs can be tricky to diagnose and may not show symptoms until the problem is severe. However, there are a few signs that you have a leak before your AC stops working. You should know right away if it isn’t cooling your home, if your electric bill spikes for no reason, or if you hear a hissing sound.
This is a serious safety issue, if not attended to, it can lead to refrigerant poisoning. This is why EPA regulations only allow certified technicians to handle certain types of refrigerant. If you are having this problem, you'll need to call a technician licensed to perform this task.
Inaccurate Temperature Readings
It is possible that your thermostat is not accurately reading the temperature in your home. That might be why it shuts off automatically.
Thermostats can fail to display the correct room temperature. The most common cause of this is a thermostat placed in a bad location, such as close to an outside wall or a room that has large temperature fluctuations. To fix this issue, you will need to find a new location for the thermostat.
AC Drain Line Clogged
To keep your AC running at peak performance, you need to be sure you are doing regular maintenance. Every month or so, pour a cup of boiling water down the drain pipe to remove liquids and gunk from the inside of the unit. Turning off the air conditioner and power supply first is also a must when cleaning out the condensate line.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
One common problem is when the circuit breaker trips. When people are using too many appliances at once, it's possible the circuit breaker will switch off. Sometimes power surges can lead to the circuit breaker being turned off. In this case, find where your panel is and switch the circuit breakers back on.
Clogged Air Filter
Have you changed your air filter lately?
This falls under the category of "things you can forget about" when there are so many other to-dos on your list. But the fact is, if you haven't changed your filter in a long time, it'll be caked with dust and debris. This blocks airflow and causes your cooling system's coils to freeze. Your AC will stop working altogether.
Your Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On? Call ClimateMakers!
Do you need to cool down fast? Is your air conditioner not performing? Don’t sweat it! Call ClimateMakers! We’ll have you back up and cool in no time. Enjoy more comfortable living with our 24/7 service. Call us today at 843-552-9024.