Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, can appear like a lot of hassle.

There’s a better way. There are several quick remedies you can attempt by yourself that might help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, try this checklist before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like Olde Towne Heating & Air.

Our experts are standing by at 843-485-0967 when you need expert service. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.

If you want to get an up to date air conditioner, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re in contact with us, contemplate a yearly AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of future malfunctions. We can advise how often you need air conditioner service.

Ready to get started troubleshooting your system? Try our fast tips below. Many of these procedures don’t require any HVAC knowledge.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be several reasons why your AC unit won’t run: a triggered circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.

Triggered Circuit Breaker

Your cooling won’t turn on when you have a blown breaker.

To find out if one has blown, find your house’s main electrical panel. You can find this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Make sure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you work on the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker identified “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s triggered the switch will be in the middle or “off” spot.
  • Firmly shift the breaker back to the “on” location. If it instantaneously trips again, leave it alone and call us at 843-485-0967. A fuse that keeps tripping could mean your home has an electrical problem.

Inaccurate Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your air conditioner to start, it won’t activate.

The most important part is checking it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not switch on. Or you may get. heated air blowing from vents since the furnace is going instead.

If you’re using a digital thermostat:

  • Replace the batteries if the monitor is blank. If the monitor is showing jumbled characters, get a new thermostat.
  • Ensure the correct setting is displaying. If you can’t change it, cancel it by decreasing the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if scheduling is incorrect.
  • Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should start getting chilled air promptly.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, such as one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for help. If it still won’t work, call us at 843-485-0967 for support.

Shut-Down Switch

Your cooling equipment typically has a shut-off device around its outdoor unit. This device is generally in a metal box mounted on your home. If your air conditioner has recently been fixed, the lever may have inadvertently been left in the “off” setting.

Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans keep the extra water your air conditioner pulls from the air. This pan can be situated either under or in your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a blockage or blocked drain, water can accumulate and prompt a safety setting to stop your system.

If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the extra water with a custom pan-cleaning tablet. You can buy these tablets at a home improvement or hardware store.

If your pan involves a pump, look for the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you could need to install a new pump. Contact us at 843-485-0967 for support.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your equipment is going but not providing cold air, its airflow could be obstructed. Or it could not have sufficient refrigerant.

Clogged Airflow

Your system’s airflow can be reduced by a blocked air filter or dusty condenser.

How to Replace Your Air Filter

A dusty filter can lead to a lot of troubles, including:

  • Limited airflow
  • Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Inconsistent cooling
  • Bigger electricity bills
  • Causing your system to wear out sooner

We propose installing new flat filters every four weeks, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t recall when you last changed yours, shut off your AC fully and remove the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be situated in a connected filter box or wall-mounted return air grille.

Hold the filter up to the sunshine. If you see a lot of dust you should replace it.

How to Clean Your AC Equipment

Greenery, vegetation and shrubbery can obstruct your condensing system. This could restrict its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s how you can get your unit running well again.

  1. Switch off power completely at the breaker or external switch.
  2. Get rid of vegetation waste around the equipment. Once you’ve removed larger debris within a two-foot radius, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dust from the condenser fins. Kinked fins can also affect performance, so you can attempt to adjust them with a dinner knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to carefully take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Make sure to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
  4. Replace the top and restore the power.

Low Refrigerant Levels

When AC equipment doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your residence.

Here are a few indications that your system is seeping refrigerant:

  1. It takes a long time to lower the temperature in your residence and you’re continually turning down the thermostat.
  2. Air coming through the vents isn’t as chilled as it should be.
  3. You’re noticing hissing or gurgling racket when the AC works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frosted on account of having trouble handling heat.

Think your unit is losing refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service professional to repair the leak and refill the proper level of refrigerant in your equipment. Reach us at 843-485-0967 for help.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it feels like you’re not receiving ample amounts of chilled air, there’s usually a clog or separation somewhere in your cooling equipment.

  • The beginning place is checking your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s soiled.
  • Then make sure the registers are free throughout your rooms.
  • If you’re still not getting adequate cold air, you should have your ducts inspected by a specialist like Olde Towne Heating & Air. Your duct system could need to be repaired or rejoined in limited space areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Pro Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you require air conditioning service quickly, contact the HVAC repair experts at Olde Towne Heating & Air at 843-485-0967. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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