Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Libertyville, Illinois, 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 TopTec.

Our experts are standing by at 847-362-0262 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 several reasons why your air conditioning system won’t work: an overloaded circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a shut off switch or a full condensate drain pan.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Your air conditioning won’t start when you have a blown breaker.

To see if one has blown, go to your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this gray device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Ensure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you check 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 middle of the panel or “off” position.
  • Quickly transfer the breaker back to the “on” position. If it instantly trips again, don’t reset it and get in touch with us at 847-362-0262. A breaker that keeps flipping might signal your residence has electrical trouble.

Wrong Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t telling your AC to work, it won’t switch on.

The first step is checking it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning may not start running. Or you may have. warm air blowing from vents being the furnace is running instead.

If you have a digital thermostat:

  • Replace the batteries if the screen is clear. If the screen is presenting scrambled characters, get a new thermostat.
  • Ensure the right mode is displaying. If you can’t change it, reverse it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if scheduling is wrong.
  • Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat matches the house’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is set properly, you should receive cold air fast.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, such as one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still having problems, reach us at 847-362-0262 for support.

Shut-Down Switch

Your air conditioner typically has a power-cutting device around its outside unit. This switch is commonly in a metal box attached to your house. If your unit has recently been worked on, the device may have unintentionally been put in the “off” location.

Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans keep the additional condensation your AC removes from the air. This pan can be positioned either beneath or within your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a clog or blocked drain, water can build up and prompt a safety setting to switch off your air conditioner.

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

If your pan includes a pump, locate the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you might have to get a new pump. Reach us at 847-362-0262 for support.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your system is running but not delivering cold air, its airflow might be blocked. Or it could not have adequate refrigerant.

Obstructed Airflow

Your unit’s airflow can be decreased by a clogged air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Replace Your Air Filter

A dusty filter can cause numerous issues, like:

  • Reduced cooling
  • Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Bigger utility costs
  • Leading your system to wear out faster

We recommend replacing flat filters monthly, and accordion filters every three months.

If you aren’t sure when you last installed a new one, turn off your unit totally and remove the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be located in an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see any light you need to get a new one.

4 Tips on Cleaning Your AC Equipment

Greenery, vegetation and sticks can get in the way of your condensing system. This could reduce its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s how you can get your unit running well again.

  1. Shut off power completely at the breaker or outdoor device.
  2. Remove plant debris around the AC. Once you’ve removed larger refuse within a two-foot range, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to carefully remove dust from the unit’s fins. Warped fins can also hurt efficiency, so you can attempt to correct them with a small knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to carefully remove gunk off the fins from inside the equipment. Don’t get liquid on the fan motor.
  4. Replace the top and turn the power back on.

Insufficient Refrigerant

When cooling equipment doesn’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your home.

Here are a few symptoms that your system is seeping refrigerant:

  1. It takes an extended amount of time to lower the temperature in your house and you’re regularly turning down the thermostat.
  2. Air coming through the ducts isn’t as chilly as it should be.
  3. You’re noticing hissing or burbling noises when cooling runs.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frozen on account of having difficulty taking on heat.

Think your unit is seeping refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service professional to take care of the leak and restore the correct amount of refrigerant in your equipment. Get in touch with us at 847-362-0262 for assistance.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it seems like you’re not getting enough cool air, there’s potentially a clog or detachment within your AC unit.

  • The first stage is looking at your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s soiled.
  • Then check the ductwork is open around your rooms.
  • If you’re still not getting enough chilled air, you should have your ducts inspected by a expert like TopTec. Your duct system might need to be repaired or hooked up again in difficult locations 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 TopTec at 847-362-0262. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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