We understand that it can be frustrating when you have an air conditioner that is not working or not working well enough. Thankfully, with a little air conditioner troubleshooting, many common problems are easy to solve, or at least to identify! Start with these tips, see if you can figure out the problem, and then call the heating & air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis at (314) 993-1110 to get it fixed.
Common Issues Found Through Air Conditioner Troubleshooting
- AC Not Cooling Enough – This is one of the most common problems people have with their air conditioners. Whether it is taking a lot longer to cool the house, not cooling evenly, or never reaching the desired temperature at all, lowered cooling capacity is a common cause for air conditioner troubleshooting. It could be a number of things causing the issues. Uneven cooling, however, is almost always the result of dirty, blocked, or closed vents, or another blockage in the system. So, the first step to troubleshooting your air conditioner when the cooling is uneven is to check for blocked ducts and vents. After you’ve determined that there aren’t any vent blockages and that dirt isn’t the issue, here are a few other air conditioner troubleshooting tips for reduced cooling power:
- Clean or replace the air filter (depending on the type) as this can reduce airflow.
- Clean coils, ducts, and any other components that might be dirty.
- Test the charge on your AC’s refrigerant, and have your service team recharge it if necessary.
- Turning On and Off – To do some air conditioner troubleshooting in this scenario, go to the outside AC unit. Airflow into the outdoor condenser unit is usually the problem when your AC is turning on and off rapidly. Make sure there are no shrubs, debris, or other blockages that are preventing air from flowing into the unit. You should also make sure all components of the outdoor unit are clean. It is very easy for this part to get dirty, so cleaning the condenser unit often solves the problem.
- AC Won’t Turn On – It may seem silly to cover this one. After all, how do you troubleshoot your air conditioning if it won’t turn on? Still, there are a few things you can find out on your own. Of course, the first air conditioner troubleshooting tip for an AC unit that will not turn on is to double-check that it is getting power! You do not want to set up a whole repair call just to find out the power was off. After all, if you can troubleshoot your central air conditioner, you can skip the service call and fee.
Additional Tips for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting
If you are still having air conditioner issues after these troubleshooting tips, here are a few more helpful tips from our experts:
- Clean and inspect ducts for blockages, buildup, or leaks.
- Make sure there is no dirt build-up on the coils.
- Check that the size of your AC unit is right for your home. If it is too big, this can sometimes lead to rapid cycling as well.
Struggling with Air Conditioner Troubleshooting? Give Us a Call
We like to empower our customers to take charge of their heating and air conditioning, however if none of these troubleshooting tips work and your AC still won’t turn on, give our St. Louis HVAC experts a call at (314) 993-1110.
