Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Tips for 2 HVAC Problems

Your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is crucial to comfort you through extreme weather conditions. Now that summer will be rolling in soon, you want to ensure that your air conditioner is in tip-top shape.

Preemptive air conditioning troubleshooting can double-check if all your systems are working correctly and not be at risk of failure in the middle of summer. Since every complication will need an appropriate response, you need to use the proper troubleshooting technique to solve minor issues and avoid potential long-term damage.

Read on for some simple air conditioning troubleshooting tips when facing specific problems.

The Air Conditioner Doesn’t Come On

If your cooling equipment isn’t turning on, there are several steps you can take before you call in professionals for repair. Every HVAC system contains several components, and a simple malfunction in one of them can lead to your air conditioner not powering up.  

1. Check the Thermostat – Your thermostat is the center of your HVAC system, controlling the temperature in your home. It’s the hub that directs all communication to the system’s individual parts. If there’s a power issue in your thermostat, there’s no way to signal your air conditioner to turn on.

Check the thermostat display. If nothing appears when you adjust the settings or press the buttons, there may be no power in the thermostat itself. If batteries power your thermostat, replace them with new ones and then check again. If your thermostat is wired to the electrical system, the circuit breaker may be tripped. Reset them to the ON position and recheck your thermostat.

2. Check the Electrical System – If your thermostat is set to low, but your air conditioning still won’t turn on, you may have problems with your electrical system. Check your circuit breaker and reset any circuits that may have tripped. Most air conditioning units have external power switches—make sure that those are in the ON position. If these steps don’t power up your unit, it may be a sign of a more complex problem that should be left to professionals.

If none of these solutions restore power to your thermostat, it may be a wiring issue. If not, your thermostat may have expired due to long-term wear and tear. For this case, it’s time to call in professionals to help solve the problem.

The Air Conditioner Isn’t Delivering Cold Air

If your air conditioning unit isn’t delivering your set low temperature, there may be an issue with the thermostat or air filter.

1. Check the Thermostat – If dust or dirt manages to collect inside your thermostat, the sensors may not be reading the ambient temperature correctly. Make sure the insides are clean and that all the wiring connections haven’t come loose. Thermostat positioning can lead to sensor errors, too. Make sure it is sitting flush against the wall, and it isn’t exposed to heat sources.
2. Check the Air Filter – The air filter in your air conditioning unit should be cleaned or replaced regularly to ensure that the system is working efficiently. If the air filter is dirty, air movement inside the unit will be restricted and may cause the unit to shut down.

Conclusion

Some air conditioner problems can be solved at home, and these troubleshooting tips would hopefully be able to help you. However, if your air conditioning unit still isn’t working as it should, it’s time to call in experienced air conditioning repair professionals. They can track down the root cause of the malfunction and correct it immediately, preventing any further damage to your HVAC system.

Xcalibur Services has built a reputation as one of the most trusted air conditioning contractors in Birmingham, AL. We offer a full array of heating and AC maintenance that will deliver your ideal temperature throughout the year. Schedule services with our experts today!

Published: June 3rd, 2021