Troubleshooting Tips for a Problematic Air Conditioner

Bringing in an HVAC technician to look at a malfunctioning air conditioner can be an expensive proposition, and an unnecessary one if the problem is something you could have scoped out on your own. That’s why you should learn about some common A/C problems, so you have at least a shot at fixing them yourself.

Common Air Conditioner Problems

If the A/C won’t turn on at all, check the breaker box to make sure no circuits have tripped. Find the circuit breaker for the A/C and flip it off and on (in line with the other switches). If that doesn’t work, check the switch for the A/C, either on the inside unit or the wall next to it. Finally, check the thermostat to make sure it’s set to cooling and that the temperature setting is below the temperature in the room.

If the problem is a lack of cooling, or the A/C is running constantly without stopping, check the following:

• Inspect the air filter to make sure it isn’t clogged with dust and debris. If it’s dirty, change or clean it (depending on the model). A clogged filter will make your A/C work harder to cool your home, wasting energy, stressing parts, and not providing even cooling.
• Check the outside condenser/compressor unit to make sure it has plenty of airflow. Get rid of leaves, sticks, grass cuttings and other objects that are blocking air.
• If the indoor or outdoor refrigerant coils are dirty, that also can inhibit your A/C’s cooling performance. If you’re handy, you may be able to clean the coils yourself, using a special foaming agent and a stiff plastic brush.

Another potential problem area is the condensate pan and drain. This is where moisture drains after being removed during the A/C process. If the drain gets clogged, it can back up, damaging walls and floors, and inviting mold and mildew, among other things.

Even with some troubleshooting savvy, you’ll still want to schedule annual maintenance for your air conditioner. Please contact us at Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal to schedule an appointment for your northwest Arkansas home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Springdale, Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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