Most Twin Cities homeowners are not A/C experts, and should probably rely on the professionals for most aspects of air conditioning service and repair. Before calling an expert, though, you may be able to narrow down the source of a problem by doing a little A/C troubleshooting.
If your air conditioner is not keeping you cool, that probably means it’s either not cooling the air, not blowing enough air or is simply not running at all. Below are some A/C troubleshooting procedures for each of these three problems.
If the air from the A/C is not cold:
- Check to make sure the outdoor compressor and fan are running. If they are running but the unit is noticeably louder than usual, you may need a new compressor.
- Feel each of the two refrigerant lines running into the house from the outdoor unit. One should be cold; the other should be lukewarm. If this is not the case, the A/C may have too little (or too much) refrigerant.
- Check the outdoor condenser coil and the indoor evaporator coil for rust or debris. If they are very dirty, a simple cleaning might solve the problem.
If little to no air is coming from the vents:
- Check the indoor blower or furnace fan to make sure it’s running.
- If the air filter is dirty, replace it.
- Check the return air vent (or vents) to see if they are blocked.
- Check the duct system for blockage or leaks.
If the A/C is not running at all:
- Check the thermostat settings to make sure the settings are correct.
- If the thermostat is battery-powered, see if it needs new batteries.
- Check the fuse or breaker box to see if the A/C circuit may be broken.
- Check the electrical wiring visually for breaks in the wire.
It is important that you not try any A/C troubleshooting that you are not fully comfortable with. For example, do NOT check the electrical wiring unless you know how to do so safely.
For expert help with A/C diagnosis and repair in your Twin Cities area home, contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minnesota’s Twin Cities about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about a/c troubleshooting and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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