Why Isn’t My Air Conditioning Working?

Finding out your air conditioning isn’t working can be less than ideal, especially in the Southwest Florida heat. But there’s no need to sweat! There are a few ways to troubleshoot the root cause of your unit’s issue. Many of these solutions are simple enough for you to try yourself and could possibly save you a service call.

Make Sure The Power Is On

Now this may seem pretty obvious, but sometimes the main reason that your air conditioning isn’t functioning properly is because it’s simply not on. Check your home’s main electrical panel, commonly called the breaker box, to be sure that your A/C unit has a working power supply. Sometimes a circuit breaker can trip unexpectedly and will need to be reset. If you find your breaker is tripping frequently, you may want to consult a professional electrician. In this case, the issue may be with your home’s electricity more so than the HVAC unit.

Check Your Thermostat

Again, this suggestion sounds simple, but many times issues with a home’s air conditioning are related to the thermostat. The first thing to check is your thermostat’s power. If your thermostat is battery powered, fixing your issue could be as simple as changing the batteries! If not, then it may require a bit more troubleshooting.

If your unit’s issue is that it isn’t blowing cold air, then it could be due to your thermometer’s current settings. Check to make sure your thermometer is set to “Cold” and the fan is running on the “Auto” setting. Also, be sure that the desired temperature is set to be a few degrees lower than the current room temperature. Sometimes, thermostats can accidentally be set on “Heat” instead of “Cool” or be set to higher than the current temperature in the home. If this is the case, your unit should kick up within a few minutes after setting these adjustments and start blowing cool air into your home.

Clear Any Outdoor Debris

If your A/C is still not blowing cold air, it may be because your condenser is blocked. The condenser can be located outside of your home, usually on the side or to the rear, and is responsible for turning refrigerant from a gas into a liquid. It can then travel to the evaporator coils to create cool air for your home. When the condenser intake is blocked by leaves and other debris, the unit isn’t able to work properly and can cause a larger issue like a blockage.

Clear all debris, including branches, leaves, and other things that may get in the way of your condenser. If there is any debris stuck inside of your unit, do not try to remove it yourself. You should never attempt to straighten out the condenser’s fins or place your hand near the fan. Instead, contact a professional air conditioning company to assist you. They would be more than happy to help you safely remove any foreign materials from your unit.

Check Your Filters

The most common reason for poor air conditioning performance is usually due to a dirty filter. As discussed in our energy efficiency blog, air filters should be checked once a month and changed every three months at a minimum. A dirty filter blocking the flow of air not only makes your unit work twice as hard, but also creates poor air quality within your home. Filters are generally simple to change and can be done so without the need of a professional.

Still Not Working?

If you have tried all of the above suggestions but are still experiencing issues, then you should probably call a professional. A qualified air conditioning technician can perform a full diagnostic of your home’s HVAC system and detect the real root of the issue. Problems such as blocked ducts or compressor failures can be handled by a quality, licensed air conditioning contractor, like Avis Plumbing and Air Conditioning in Cape Coral, Florida. Avis Technicians are available round the clock to help service your A/C, having it back to tip-top shape in no time. Give Avis a call at (239) 481-1511 in Fort Myers or (239) 542-4421 in Cape Coral to schedule your next service call today!