Diagnosing a problem and finishing your own AC repair in Milledgeville and Middle Georgia, Georgia, can feel like a lot of hassle.

It doesn’t have to be like that. There are a couple of fast adjustments you can try without help that might help you bypass an AC service call.

When you’re facing air conditioning issues, try this diagnostic list before contacting a heating and cooling repair specialist like Air Concepts of Middle Georgia.

Our professionals are available at 478-200-5689 when you require knowledgeable service. We offer emergency AC repair and work on most makes of central AC equipment.

If you need an updated air conditioner, we also can do AC installation.

When you’re on the phone with us, consider a regular AC maintenance plan that could help you avoid potential problems. We can tell you when you require air conditioner service.

Ready to start diagnosing your air conditioner? Follow our simple tips below. Many of these processes don’t require any AC expertise.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be a few explanations why your AC unit won’t work: an overloaded circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a turned off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.

Blown Circuit Breaker

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

To check if one has blown, locate your residence’s main electrical panel. You can locate this metallic device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you work on the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker marked “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” location. If it’s tripped the switch will be in the middle of the panel or “off” location.
  • Steadily move the lever back to the “on” position. If it immediately triggers again, leave it alone and reach us at 478-200-5689. A breaker that keeps turning off might indicate your house has an electrical issue.

Inaccurate Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your equipment to work, it won’t activate.

The main step is checking it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC may not start running. Or you could have. heated air moving from vents being the furnace is running instead.

If you’re using a regular thermostat:

  • Swap out the batteries if the screen is empty. If the screen is displaying garbled characters, buy a new thermostat.
  • Make sure the right setting is displaying. If you can’t alter it, reverse it by dropping the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if the configuration is not right.
  • Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees below the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is set the same as the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is calibrated accurately, you should start getting refreshing air quickly.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, like one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at 478-200-5689 for assistance.

Shut-Down Switch

Your cooling equipment probably has a shut-off lever by its outdoor unit. This switch is generally in a metal box attached to your house. If your equipment has recently been repaired, the lever may have inadvertently been put in the “off” location.

Blocked Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans catch the extra water your equipment removes from the air. This pan can be situated either under or in your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a clog or blocked drain, water can accumulate and initiate a safety setting to stop your air conditioner.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the surplus condensation with a formulated pan-cleaning tablet. You can purchase these capsules at a home improvement or hardware shop.

If your pan has a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you could need to install a new pump. Reach us at 478-200-5689 for assistance.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your air conditioner is running but not delivering cold air, its airflow may be congested. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.

Obstructed Airflow

Your unit’s airflow can be restricted by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Change Your Air Filter

A dirty filter can cause countless problems, including:

  • Limited airflow
  • Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Intermittent cooling
  • Larger electricity costs
  • Making your system wear out faster

We recommend changing flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.

If you aren’t sure when you last installed a new one, shut off your equipment totally and take out the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be located in an attached filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see through it you should replace it.

4 Tips on Cleaning Your AC Equipment

Greenery, vegetation and leaves can block your condensing system. This may limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and change your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your equipment running well again.

  1. Switch off the electrical current completely at the breaker or outside device.
  2. Clear yard rubbish around the air conditioner. Once you’ve gotten rid of all the debris within a two-foot space, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the condenser fins. Distorted fins can also impact effectiveness, so you can attempt to correct them with a blunt knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly take off dirt on the fins from inside the unit. Be careful to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
  4. Put the top back on and restore the power.

Insufficient Refrigerant

When AC units don’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from the air.

Here are a couple of signs that your system is leaking refrigerant:

  1. It takes an extended amount of time to cool your space and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
  2. Air blowing through the vents isn’t as chilly as it should be.
  3. You’re experiencing whistling or bubbling sounds when the air conditioning runs.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frozen because it’s having difficulty absorbing humidity.

Think your equipment is seeping refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service professional to take care of the leak and refill the right amount of refrigerant in your unit. Reach us at 478-200-5689 for help.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it feels like you’re not receiving enough chilled air, there’s likely an obstruction or detachment somewhere in your AC unit.

  • The initial place is examining your air filter. Replace it if it’s dusty.
  • Then ensure the registers are free across your rooms.
  • If you’re still not getting adequate chilly air, you should have your ducts inspected by a professional like Air Concepts of Middle Georgia. Your ducts may need to be repaired or rejoined in difficult spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Expert Air Conditioner Repair Today

When you require air conditioning service fast, call the HVAC repair professionals at Air Concepts of Middle Georgia at 478-200-5689. We’ll promptly detect the issue when your equipment won’t work or deliver adequate chilled air.

Request Service