DIY Tricks Before You Call a HVAC Company
When your air conditioner won’t turn on at all or stops working, don’t panic. There are a few DIY things you can check yourself before calling for service.
Here’s what to do:
Check Your Thermostat First
Make sure your thermostat is set to “cool” mode and the temperature is set lower than the current room temperature. Replace batteries if it’s battery-powered, and make sure the display is working. Sometimes the simplest solution is the right one.
Look At Your Circuit Breakers
AC systems have two breakers, one for the indoor unit and one for the outdoor unit. Check your electrical panel to see if either breaker has tripped. If a breaker has tripped, you can try resetting it once, but if it trips again immediately, don’t keep resetting it—that indicates an electrical problem that needs professional repair.
Make Sure The Outdoor Disconnect Is On
The outdoor AC unit has a disconnect box near it that lets you shut off power for service. Make sure this disconnect switch hasn’t been accidentally turned off or pulled out. This happens more often than you’d think, especially after lawn service or other outdoor work.
Check For Visible Problems Outside
Take a look at your outdoor unit. Is the fan spinning? Do you hear the compressor running (a humming or buzzing sound)? Is there ice on the refrigerant lines? These observations help technicians diagnose problems faster when they arrive.
Don’t Wait Too Long To Call
If simple checks don’t solve the problem, call for professional service rather than letting your home get unbearably hot. The longer you wait, the more uncomfortable you’ll be, and some problems can actually get worse if the system keeps trying to run while something is wrong.
Give Dawson’s Electric & Air a call at 919-887-8284 for fast help from Raleigh to Fuquay Varina in Wake County or contact us online with any questions!
