Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Laurel, Maryland, can appear like a lot of hassle.

There’s a better way. There are several quick remedies you can attempt by yourself that might help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, try this checklist before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like H&C Heating and Cooling.

Our experts are standing by at 301-960-3247 when you need expert service. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.

If you want to get an up to date air conditioner, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re in contact with us, contemplate a yearly AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of future malfunctions. We can advise how often you need air conditioner service.

Ready to get started troubleshooting your system? Try our fast tips below. Many of these procedures don’t require any HVAC knowledge.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be a few reasons why your AC equipment won’t start: a tripped circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a turned off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

Triggered Circuit Breaker

Your system won’t start when you have a tripped breaker.

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

  • Confirm your hands and feet are free of moisture before you touch the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s tripped the breaker will be in the middle or “off” position.
  • Firmly move the breaker back to the “on” location. If it instantaneously flips again, don’t reset it and contact us at 301-960-3247. A switch that keeps turning off could indicate your house has electrical trouble.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your system to work, it won’t turn on.

The key point is checking it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner may not start running. Or you may get. heated air blowing from vents being the heat is on instead.

If you’re using a regular thermostat:

  • Put in new batteries if the readout is empty. If the readout is showing scrambled letters, replace the thermostat.
  • Make sure the proper option is displaying. If you can’t update it, cancel it by decreasing the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if the configuration is not right.
  • Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the house’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted accurately, you should receive refreshing air quickly.

If you have 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, call us at 301-960-3247 for assistance.

Shut-Off Switch

Your system typically has a power-cutting switch by its outside unit. This lever is generally in a metal box mounted on your residence. If your equipment has recently been tuned up, the device may have accidentally been left in the “off” setting.

Blocked Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans keep the extra water your system pulls from the air. This pan can be positioned either beneath or within your furnace or air handler.

When there’s an obstruction or backed up drain, water can accumulate and prompt a safety control to switch off your unit.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus liquid with a custom pan-cleaning tab. You can get these tabs at a home improvement or hardware shop.

If your pan includes a pump, find the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you might have to replace the pump. Contact us at 301-960-3247 for help.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your equipment is on but not cooling, its airflow might be blocked. Or it might not have adequate refrigerant.

Blocked Airflow

Your system’s airflow can be decreased by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Put in a New Your Air Filter

A filthy filter can create a lot of issues, like:

  • Limited cooling
  • Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Inconsistent cooling
  • Bigger cooling costs
  • Causing your system to break down faster

We propose changing flat filters monthly, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t remember when you last replaced yours, shut off your AC fully and take out the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be located in a connected filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to the light. If you see a lot of dust you should replace it.

4 Steps to Cleaning Your Air Conditioning System

Brush, vegetation and leaves can get in the way of your condensing system. This may restrict its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s how you can get your system operating well again.

  1. Shut off the electrical current completely at the breaker or outside lever.
  2. Remove vegetation rubbish around the air conditioner. Once you’ve removed larger clutter within a two-foot area, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the condenser fins. Bent fins can also affect efficiency, so you can attempt to straighten 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 liquid on the fan motor.
  4. Replace the top and turn on the power.

Insufficient Refrigerant

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

Here are several indications that your equipment is seeping refrigerant:

  1. It takes too long to refresh your residence and you’re regularly turning down the thermostat.
  2. Air conditioning coming through the registers isn’t as chilled as it should be.
  3. You’re experiencing fizzing or burbling sounds when the air conditioning works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frosty due to having an issue handling warmth.

Suspect your unit is losing refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service professional to repair the leak and replenish the proper measurement of refrigerant in your equipment. Call us at 301-960-3247 for assistance.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it feels like you’re not having adequate amounts of cool air, there’s potentially a blockage or separation somewhere in your AC system.

  • The initial step is examining your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s soiled.
  • Then ensure the vents are free across your house.
  • If you’re still not getting sufficient cold air, you should have your ductwork checked by a specialist like H&C Heating and Cooling. Your ducts could need to be fixed or rejoined in limited space areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Pro Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you require air conditioning service quickly, contact the HVAC repair experts at H&C Heating and Cooling at 301-960-3247. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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