Indianapolis Air Conditioning Contractors

It is a common thought to pick up the phone and call for service when central air conditioning systems are not working right. However, you may find that the problem is something you can easily fix yourself if you follow our guide below. If you are uncomfortable with checking any of these things, just call for service and let one of our cooling technicians inspect the air conditioning unit for you.

Make Sure There Is Power to the AC Unit

• Try turning the fan to “ON” on the thermostat to test for power to AC.
• If nothing happens, reset the breakers at the electrical panel, especially if the thermostat is showing a blank reading.

Make Sure Your Vents Are Open

• Check all return air grilles and registers. Make sure they are not blocked by furniture and are open and blowing air.

Check the Batteries in Your Thermostat

• Some thermostats still operate on batteries, even if they are also wired to the home. If the rest of your house has power, but the display on your thermostat is out, change the batteries to see if that fixes the problem.

Check the Air Filter

• If it’s been more than a couple of months since you changed your air filter, you should check to see if it requires replacement. Your central air conditioning system may suffer irregular performance due to clogged filters. Try replacing the filter and see if that solves your problem.

Check That Your Power Is On

• There could be power outages in your area.
• Check the breakers that power your air conditioning equipment and reset them if they are tripped.
• Make sure the ON/OFF switches on indoor and outdoor cooling equipment are set in the ON position.

Clear Away Obstructions from the Outside Unit

• Leaves, grass, and debris block the unit from receiving enough airflow. Leave a two-foot radius around the unit to give it enough room to receive adequate airflow for proper performance.

Check the Temperature Setting on Your Thermostat

• Make sure the thermostat temperature is set lower than the current indoor temperature.
• Make sure the thermostat is set to the cool position.

Check Your Condensation Drain Lines

• These lines can become obstructed for various reasons. Try blowing compressed air into the line to dislodge any obstructions, then pour a solution of half-bleach and half-water through the line to get rid of any mold.

If You Have an Air Handler, Check the Following:

• Make sure the access panels have not come loose. Some units have safety switches that cut power to the air handler if the panel is loose or removed.
• Check the drip pan to see if it’s flooded with water. If so, you have a clogged condensation line and it needs unclogged before the system operates normally again.

Is Your Air Conditioner Freezing Up?

• Dirty air filters can cause your system to freeze up because they impede the airflow. Check your filter to see if it needs replaced.
• Other causes could be dirty coils, a broken air handler fan, obstructed vents, or a low refrigerant charge.

Is Your AC Unit Cycling on and Off?

• Make sure an air register isn’t blowing directly on your thermostat.
• Change your air filter and change it if it is dirty.
• If these solutions don’t solve the problem, your unit may be wrongly sized – in this case, you’ll need to consult with an expert.