Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Rockford, 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 Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling.

Our experts are standing by at (815) 914-6197 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 causes why your central AC system won’t run: a blown circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Your air conditioner won’t run when you have a blown breaker.

To check if one has blown, go to your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this gray fixture 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 make sure it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s triggered the lever will be in the middle of the panel or “off” spot.
  • Quickly shift the switch back to the “on” spot. If it instantly trips again, leave it alone and contact us at (815) 914-6197. A breaker that keeps turning off may indicate your home has electrical trouble.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your AC to work, it won’t switch on.

The first step is ensuring it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC will probably not switch on. Or you could have. heated air coming from vents since the heat is on instead.

If you rely on a regular thermostat:

  • Put in new batteries if the readout is blank. If the screen is presenting garbled letters, replace the thermostat.
  • Ensure the proper mode is on the display. If you can’t alter it, cancel it by decreasing the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if the configuration is wrong.
  • Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat matches the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted accurately, you should begin getting chilled air fast.

If you have a smart thermostat, like one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If it still won’t work, call us at (815) 914-6197 for support.

Shut-Down Switch

Your air conditioner usually has a shut-off switch around its outdoor unit. This switch is typically in a metal box attached to your home. If your AC has recently been tuned up, the device may have unintentionally been positioned in the “off” location.

Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans keep the extra water your equipment pulls from the air. This pan can be situated either below or inside your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a clog or clogged drain, water can accumulate and trigger a safety control to stop your equipment.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the surplus water with a formulated pan-cleaning capsule. You can get these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan includes a pump, locate the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you could need to replace the pump. Call us at (815) 914-6197 for help.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your equipment is going but not cooling, its airflow could be congested. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.

Clogged Airflow

Your equipment’s airflow can be limited by a clogged air filter or dirty condenser.

How to Change Your Air Filter

A dirty filter can create many issues, like:

  • Lower cooling
  • Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Inconsistent cooling
  • Bigger utility bills
  • Making your system break down more quickly

We recommend replacing flat filters once a month, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t remember when you last replaced yours, switch off your unit completely and pull out the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be situated in an attached filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

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

How to Clean Your AC Equipment

Weeds, vegetation and bushes can obstruct your condensing system. This could restrict its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your unit working properly again.

  1. Shut off electricity totally at the breaker or external device.
  2. Clear yard debris around the unit. Once you’ve gotten rid of bigger clutter within a two-foot range, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dust from the equipment’s fins. Deformed fins can also impact efficiency, so you can attempt to straighten them with a small knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly clean the fins from inside the unit. Make sure to avoid getting liquid on the fan motor.
  4. Replace the top and restore the power.

Insufficient Refrigerant

When AC equipment doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your rooms.

Here are several indications that your system is losing refrigerant:

  1. It takes too long to cool your home and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
  2. Air conditioning coming through the ducts isn’t as chilly as it should be.
  3. You’re experiencing hissing or burbling racket when the AC is on.
  4. Your evaporator coil is icy as a result of having trouble absorbing humidity.

Worried your unit is leaking refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service specialist to repair the leak and replenish the correct amount of refrigerant in your unit. Call us at (815) 914-6197 for help.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it feels like you’re not having ample amounts of cold air, there’s usually an obstruction or detachment inside your AC equipment.

  • The initial place is checking your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s soiled.
  • Then ensure the registers are open across your home.
  • If you’re still not receiving adequate chilled air, you should have your duct system inspected by a expert like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling. Your ducts might need to be repaired or reconnected in limited space spots 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 Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling at (815) 914-6197. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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