Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, 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 Siloam Springs Heating & AC.

Our experts are standing by at 479-308-8176 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 air conditioning system won’t run: an overloaded circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

Overloaded Circuit Breaker

Your air conditioner won’t turn on when you have a tripped breaker.

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

  • Make sure your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
  • Find the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s triggered the lever will be in the in between or “off” position.
  • Firmly move the breaker back to the “on” spot. If it instantly triggers again, leave it alone and contact us at 479-308-8176. A fuse that keeps tripping could signal your residence has an electrical problem.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t telling your air conditioner to start, it won’t activate.

The main step is making sure it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner might not start running. Or you may have. hot air blowing from vents because the heat is running instead.

If you’re using a regular thermostat:

  • Swap out the batteries if the readout is clear. If the monitor is presenting scrambled characters, buy a new thermostat.
  • Ensure the right program is on the display. If you can’t alter it, override it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if programming is incorrect.
  • Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted properly, you should start getting chilled air fast.

If you have a smart thermostat, including ones made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for help. If it still won’t work, contact us at 479-308-8176 for assistance.

Turn-Off Switch

Your AC probably has a power-cutting switch near its outdoor unit. This switch is typically in a metal box hung on your residence. If your equipment has recently been serviced, the lever may have accidentally been positioned in the “off” location.

Clogged Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans keep the additional condensation your air conditioner takes out of the air. This pan can be found either beneath or inside your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can become concentrated and prompt a safety control to stop your system.

If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the surplus condensation with a special pan-cleaning tab. You can buy these capsules at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan involves a pump, find the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you could need to get a new pump. Call us at 479-308-8176 for assistance.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your equipment is working but not cooling, its airflow might be obstructed. Or it may not have enough refrigerant.

Clogged Airflow

Your system’s airflow can be limited by a blocked air filter or dirty condenser.

How to Change Your Air Filter

A filthy filter can cause many problems, including:

  • Limited airflow
  • Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Larger energy expenses
  • Causing your system to stop working sooner

We suggest installing new flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months.

If you aren’t sure when you last installed a new one, shut off your AC completely and pull out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be situated in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to the light. If you can’t see any light you need to buy a new filter.

4 Tips on Cleaning Your Cooling Equipment

Weeds, grass and sticks can get in the way of your condensing unit. This can reduce its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your system running properly again.

  1. Shut off the electrical current completely at the breaker or external lever.
  2. Get rid of yard waste around the AC. Once you’ve cleared all the clutter within a two-foot space, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dirt from the condenser fins. Kinked fins can also affect capability, so you can attempt to reshape them with a blunt knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to carefully remove gunk off the fins from inside the equipment. Make sure to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
  4. Put the top back on and restore the power.

Low Refrigerant Levels

When air conditioning systems don’t have enough refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your home.

Here are a few indications that your system is leaking refrigerant:

  1. It takes a long time to refresh your rooms and you’re regularly turning down the thermostat.
  2. Cooling coming through the registers isn’t as cold as it should be.
  3. You’re noticing fizzing or gurgling sounds when cooling works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is iced over as a result of having an issue absorbing humidity.

Worried your equipment is seeping refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service professional to repair the leak and refill the right measurement of refrigerant in your unit. Reach us at 479-308-8176 for support.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it appears like you’re not having enough chilled air, there’s probably an obstruction or detachment somewhere in your AC unit.

  • The initial step is checking your air filter. Replace it if it’s filthy.
  • Then make sure the vents are clear around your rooms.
  • If you’re still not experiencing adequate chilly air, you should have your ductwork checked by a specialist like Siloam Springs Heating & AC. Your ducts could need to be serviced or hooked up again in difficult 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 Siloam Springs Heating & AC at 479-308-8176. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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