Air Conditioner Repair Checklist
1. AC Won’t Turn On
There can be several reasons why your AC equipment won’t work: an overloaded circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.
Triggered Circuit Breaker
Your system won’t run when you have an overloaded breaker.
To determine if one has tripped, locate your house’s main electrical panel. You can find this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.
- Ensure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you work on the panel or breakers.
- Find the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s overloaded, the lever will be in the "off" position.
- Firmly shift the breaker back to the “on” position. If it immediately triggers again, don’t reset it and call us at 507-387-6596. A breaker that keeps flipping could mean your home has electrical trouble.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat isn’t signaling your AC to start, it won’t turn on.
The first point is ensuring it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner might not start running. You might also get heated air blowing from vents being the heat is running instead.
If you rely on a digital thermostat:
- Put in new batteries if the readout is blank. If the screen is presenting scrambled numbers, get a new thermostat.
- Make sure the correct program is displaying. If you can’t change it, override it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if programming is not right.
- Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is identical to the house’s temperature.
Once your thermostat is calibrated accurately, you should start getting cool air quickly.
If you have a smart thermostat, such as one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you still can’t get it to work, call us at 507-387-6596 for assistance.
Shut-Down Switch
Your AC typically has a shut-down switch by its outdoor unit. This switch is commonly in a metal box attached to your house. If your unit has recently been tuned up, the switch may have accidentally been turned off.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pan 
Condensate drain pans catch the surplus condensation your equipment takes out of the air. This pan is located either under or within your furnace or air handler.
When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can build up and trigger a safety control to turn off your air conditioner.
If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus liquid with a formulated pan-cleaning tab. You can buy these capsules at a home improvement or hardware shop.
If your pan has a pump, find the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you could need to replace the pump. Reach us at 507-387-6596 for help.
2. AC Blows Warm Air
If your system is going but not delivering cold air, its airflow may be obstructed. Or it may not have enough refrigerant.
Blocked Airflow
Your unit’s airflow can be decreased by a clogged air filter or filthy condenser.
How to Change Your Air Filter
A dirty filter can cause many issues, like:
- Limited comfort
- Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
- Inconsistent cooling
- Increased utility expenses
- Leading your system to break down more quickly
We recommend replacing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.
If you can’t recall when you last replaced your filter, turn off your equipment fully and pull out the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be situated in a connected filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.
Hold the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see any light, you need to replace it.
How to Clean Your AC Equipment
Brush, grass and sticks can block your condensing equipment. This may restrict its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your unit operating smoothly again.
- Turn off electricity completely at the breaker or outdoor switch.
- Remove plant rubbish around the equipment. Once you’ve gotten rid of bigger refuse within a two-foot space, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to slowly remove dust from the unit’s fins. Deformed fins can also affect capability.
- Use a hose nozzle to slowly take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Be careful to avoid getting liquid on the fan motor.
- Restore the power.
Insufficient Refrigerant
When AC equipment doesn’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your house.
Here are a few signs that your equipment is seeping refrigerant:
- It takes too long to lower the temperature in your rooms and you’re continually lowering the thermostat.
- Air coming through the registers isn’t as chilled as it should be.
- You’re experiencing whistling or gurgling racket when cooling is on.
- Your evaporator coil is frosted as a result of having an issue taking on heat.
Worried your equipment is leaking refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service expert to take care of the leak and refill the proper measurement of refrigerant in your unit. Reach us at 507-387-6596 for help.
3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air
When it seems like you’re not having ample amounts of chilled air, there’s possibly a clog or disconnection somewhere in your AC system.
- The initial place is examining your air filter. Replace it if it’s dirty.
- Make sure the registers are open throughout your rooms.
- If you’re still not receiving enough cold air, you should have your ductwork inspected by a expert like Northern Comfort Inc. Your ductwork could need to be serviced or rejoined in difficult areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.