5 Steps to Follow During an Air Conditioning Emergency

5 Steps to Follow During an Air Conditioning Emergency

As summertime heat peaks out in the triple digits, it is important to keep your air conditioner running smoothly without an Air Conditioning Emergency. If you come home to temperatures a little warmer than expected, don’t panic just yet. Here is a short checklist of potential issues to check before you call the repair person.

1 Check the Thermostat. The thermostat is the “switch” that turns the AC ON or OFF, but as thermostats become more complex, there are more things to check. Someone might have intended to set the temperature higher or lower but switched the setting to heat instead. If you have a programmable thermostat, check to make sure the schedule is not set for energy-saving night mode instead of the daily comfort mode. This might seem like a “no-brainer,” but always check the ON/OFF switch before calling for help. Make sure the thermostat is set to COOL and lower the temperature a few degrees lower than room temperature. If this is the problem, the AC should begin a cooling cycle and you will hear it engage.

2 Check the Circuit Breaker. Yes, the next ON/OFF switch to check is the electric service panel. The furnace and AC circuits should be marked on the door panel. A tripped breaker might show a little red in the breaker window and might wiggle pretty easily. A circuit breaker in the ON position will be a solid color and should be locked into place with no wiggle. If the breaker is tripped or in the OFF position, switch it to the ON position and wait a few minutes. When the AC reboots it should begin a cooling cycle—you will hear it begin to engage. If the breaker trips again immediately, leave it off and call your professional.

Some HVAC systems have a system circuit breaker on the exterior of the cabinet. They help technicians disconnect power to the system while they make repairs. Check for a system circuit breaker, especially if a technician has just serviced your system.

Newer residential AC systems have an additional safety feature that shuts the system down in case of overheating. Once it cools down, the system should reboot and engage.

3 Check the Air Filter. The AC air filter should be changed at least every three months because dust and debris collect on the surface of the filter. It is supposed to collect there, but when the layer gets too thick, it impedes the flow of air through the entire system. The warm air in your home may be the result of insufficient airflow. It affects your utility bill as well as your comfort. Change the air filter regularly.

4 Check for “Frozen Coils.” Trip the breaker to disconnect power to the cabinet. Remove a few screws and open the evaporator chamber. You will see the blower motor and a network of copper tubing, often in an inverted V shape. Condensation water should drip from the tubing, but if the water is frozen, this is a problem. First, let the ice melt before you reengage the system. Next, check the air filter and replace it if necessary. If the filter is clean, a call to the technician is in your future. Close the chamber tight and call for a repair. Follow instructions before restarting the system.

5 Check the Condenser Unit. This is the outdoor portion of your AC system. If the thermostat is set properly and calling for cool air, the fan in the condenser unit should be turning. If the condenser unit is silent and still, it is an indication of one or more problems that will need to be diagnosed by a service technician.

Following these steps can help you determine whether your AC emergency is a minor problem that you can address or a major problem that requires assistance.

Are You Having an Air Conditioning Emergency?

Northwind Air Conditioning and Heat can help with Air Conditioning Emergency Repair and regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance. Contact us and get the answers you need.