Zero homeowners want to be forced to make that call for Louisville air conditioning repair this summer. A broken air conditioning system is a source of panic for many, as temperatures rise in the home. Jarboe’s loves that we are your go-to for Louisville air conditioning repair, but we think some knowledge of AC troubleshooting tips can be of quick help to your family this season.
Air conditioners that don’t come on or struggle to deliver proper cooling sometimes need a professional’s assistance to solve. Other times, what seems like a serious problem actually has a simple solution. When you’re hot, sweaty, and worried about a high Louisville air conditioning repair bill, try some easy troubleshooting steps – your system could be back in action sooner than you realize! Save money on a service call when you resolve simple problems through air conditioner troubleshooting.
AC troubleshooting should be your first step prior to a call for Louisville air conditioning repair. Troubleshooting reviews common and simple issues that have the potential to disrupt air conditioning system performance and make you think a bigger problem is at hand.
If these troubleshooting steps don’t get your air conditioner running properly, don’t hesitate to call Jarboe’s for Louisville air conditioning repair. Our NATE-certified technicians are ready to visit your home and inspect your system to find the problem behind your discomfort. We are committed to quick and reliable Louisville air conditioning repair and are ready to keep you cool this summer!
Try Your Thermostat Before Louisville Air Conditioning Repair
Some Louisville air conditioning repair issues are resolved simply by a quick check of your thermostat! As your thermostat communicates your home’s cooling needs to the air conditioning systems, one incorrect setting has the power to stop your equipment from running when you need it to.
Before you call us for Louisville air conditioning repair because your system doesn’t turn on or keep your home comfortable, run through these thermostat settings troubleshooting steps.
- Is your thermostat on cooling mode? Many manual and programmable thermostats have a simple toggle switch that moves the control between heating and cooling – if it is knocked out of position on accident and flipped over to heating, your air conditioner doesn’t turn on. You definitely don’t want your heating system to accidentally run this time of year!
- For an air conditioning cycle to initiate, the thermostat reads the surrounding temperature – once that temperature falls below the setpoint, a cooling cycle starts. So, if the set temperature is higher than the current room temperature, there is no need for cooling. Adjust thermostat temperature to a few degrees under the room’s current temperature, as this triggers a cooling cycle as long as all else is well with the system.
- Many homes throughout the Louisville area use programmable thermostats for easy comfort and energy savings. Your schedules are different in the summer when air conditioning is used, versus in the winter when heating equipment runs. Make sure your thermostat isn’t using old schedules, or else your air conditioner won’t run when you need it. Adjust your programmed schedules each season or as schedules change in your household.
- Lots of thermostats have a hold or vacation feature, which lets you temporarily halt the normal programmed schedules. If this feature is in use, your air conditioner doesn’t run when you expect. Check the thermostat to verify hold or vacation mode is not in use.
Check Power Before You Call for Louisville Air Conditioning Repair
Electricity powers your air conditioning system and in some homes, the thermostat as well. Some thermostats use batteries, which need to be replaced. Some Louisville air conditioning repair problems are attributed to power source issues, which are often an easy fix for homeowners.
These air conditioner troubleshooting steps address possible power supply issues in your home:
- Dead batteries in your thermostat take the air conditioning system’s controls out of commission. Your air conditioner receives no direction regarding your home’s comfort needs. Replace the batteries if you check the thermostat and it has no power. It’s wise to do so prior to both heating and cooling season to avoid a potential power outage.
- For hardwired thermostats, check the electric panel. If the breaker has tripped or fuse has blown to the circuit that the thermostat is on, it does not get any power. Correct the issue to restore thermostat power.
- Your cooling system components are also affected if a breaker trips or fuse blows. Air conditioning equipment is typically on dedicated circuits, so if blow fuses or tripped breakers are commonly stripping your system of power, you need Louisville air conditioning repair. Check your electrical panel and correct the problem to restore power in isolated incidents.
- Your furnace, air handler, and exterior cooling unit have power switches. If the switch is mistakenly turned off, the equipment will not start when your thermostat calls for cooling. Check external equipment power switches to ensure they are properly set. They are most commonly located either on the outside of the equipment itself or on a nearby wall.
- In many HVAC system models, the equipment doesn’t turn on if the blower motor compartment panel or other service doors are open. This is a safety control that stops the system from operating. Check your interior cooling system equipment to verify the access panels are secured.
Ensure Good Airflow Prior to Louisville Air Conditioning Repair
Many Louisville air conditioning repair calls stem from problems that start with poor airflow. Airflow throughout your cooling system becomes blocked by various obstructions, which make it feel like your home does not receive adequate cooling or stop your cooling system from working at all.
Overheating is a potential risk of poor system airflow, which not only risks damage to your air conditioner but shuts the air conditioner down until the system recovers. Your air conditioner may run one minute, but overheating shuts it off soon after.
Address airflow obstructions with these air conditioner troubleshooting steps:
- A furnace filter filled with contaminants prevents air movement throughout your cooling equipment, a common source of system overheating. They become clogged more frequently than usual in the summer when air conditioners heavily run. Check your filter once a month throughout the summer and change it as it becomes gray and filled with contaminants.
- Your furnace filter needs to be correctly inserted into the filter cabinet for proper air movement. Look at the arrows printed on the filter frame to see which direction it needs to be inserted. When you put a filter in upside down, there is the potential for airflow restriction.
- Furnace filters come in many sizes, and your system needs a perfect fit. When you use the wrong size furnace filter, air moves around the edges instead of just through the system. The filter also doesn’t snugly fit within the cabinet, so there is a risk of a fallen filter that blocks airflow. Double-check the appropriate filter size in your owner’s manual or ask your Louisville air conditioning repair company for help before you buy a replacement filter.
- Hot air that is pulled from inside your home is released outdoors through the outside condenser unit’s fins, which are along its exterior. As it sits outside, it is exposed to all types of contaminants, such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and more. When these debris block the fins, heat is not released and it seems hotter in your home like the air conditioner isn’t properly working. Remove debris from the fins – turn power off, and gently spray water from a garden hose to rinse away debris. For tough-to-remove debris, use a soft-bristled brush and gently brush them away.
- Conditioned air moves from your air conditioner, through your ducts, and into your home via registers. It then circulates back through return air grilles, into return ducts, and back to the air conditioner. When registers and grilles are closed or blocked, air cannot reach your living areas. Many vent models have louvers that allow them to open and close – always make sure louvers are open so that air is able to freely flow. Vents and grilles should never be covered by furniture, rugs, or carpeting, which blocks air movement through that inlet or outlet.
Call Jarboe’s for Louisville Air Conditioning Repair
Not all Louisville air conditioning repair issues are able to be resolved by troubleshooting. But, there is a good chance that simple issues that affect air conditioner performance will be discovered and corrected if you follow these steps. Only perform air conditioner troubleshooting if you are comfortable doing so – if not, go ahead and call us to find the source of the issue.
When troubleshooting doesn’t work, call Jarboe’s for fast and reliable Louisville air conditioning repair. We are your Louisville air conditioning repair experts, ready to inspect, diagnose, and fix your cooling system issues. Our NATE-certified cooling technicians have the knowledge and skill to service all makes and models of cooling systems, including air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductless mini-split systems.
If your home isn’t as cool as you’d like and your air conditioner is struggling, contact us today to schedule a Louisville air conditioning repair service call.
