Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Michigan City, Indiana, 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 Paniccia Heating & Cooling.

Our experts are standing by at 219-872-2198 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 several causes why your air conditioning system won’t run: an overloaded circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a switched off switch or a full condensate drain pan.

Overloaded Circuit Breaker

Your AC 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 locate this metallic device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you check the panel or breakers.
  • Find the breaker identified “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” position. If it’s triggered the lever will be in the in between or “off” position.
  • Quickly move the breaker back to the “on” spot. If it instantly triggers again, don’t touch it and call us at 219-872-2198. A breaker that keeps turning off might signal your residence has electrical trouble.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your air conditioner to run, it won’t turn on.

The key point is making sure it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning might not turn on. Or you might get. hot air blowing from vents since the heat is going instead.

If you’re using a regular thermostat:

  • Put in new batteries if the monitor is blank. If the screen is showing jumbled letters, replace the thermostat.
  • Make sure the correct program is displaying. If you can’t change it, reverse it by lowering the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if scheduling is not right.
  • Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is identical to the house’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should begin getting cool air promptly.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, including ones made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at 219-872-2198 for help.

Turn-Off Switch

Your AC typically has a shut-off switch by its outside unit. This switch is generally in a metal box hung on your home. If your air conditioner has recently been serviced, the device may have accidentally been placed in the “off” position.

Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans hold the additional liquid your AC pulls from the air. This pan can be found either below or inside your furnace or air handler.

When there’s an obstruction or blocked drain, water can accumulate and initiate a safety setting to stop your system.

If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra water with a custom pan-cleaning capsule. You can buy these tabs at a home improvement or hardware store.

If your pan has a pump, find the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you may need to install a new pump. Contact us at 219-872-2198 for help.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

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

Obstructed Airflow

Your system’s airflow can be reduced by a plugged air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Put in a New Your Air Filter

A dusty filter can create a lot of issues, like:

  • Limited comfort
  • Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Bigger utility expenses
  • Leading your system to break down more quickly

We suggest replacing flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months.

If you can’t recall when you last installed a new one, switch off your unit totally and pull out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be situated in an attached filter box or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see any light you should replace it.

How to Clean Your Air Conditioning Unit

Weeds, plants and bushes can block your condensing system. This could restrict its airflow, make it less energy efficient and affect your comfort. Here’s how you can get your equipment operating properly again.

  1. Shut off the electrical current fully at the breaker or outside lever.
  2. Clear vegetation debris around the AC. Once you’ve cleared bigger refuse within a two-foot radius, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the equipment’s fins. Misshapen fins can also hurt effectiveness, so you can attempt to reshape them with a blunt knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to gingerly remove gunk off the fins from inside the system. Don’t get liquid on the fan motor.
  4. Put the top back on and turn on the power.

Leaking Refrigerant

When AC systems don’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your space.

Here are a couple of symptoms that your system is seeping refrigerant:

  1. It takes too long to lower the temperature in your rooms and you’re regularly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
  2. Air conditioning moving through the ducts isn’t as cold as it should be.
  3. You’re experiencing whistling or gurgling sounds when the air conditioning works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frosty because it’s having difficulty handling heat.

Worried your unit is seeping refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service specialist to take care of the leak and restore the proper amount of refrigerant in your equipment. Contact us at 219-872-2198 for support.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it seems like you’re not receiving ample amounts of cold air, there’s usually an obstruction or separation somewhere in your AC unit.

  • The first stage is looking at your air filter. Get a new one if it’s dusty.
  • Then check the registers are free across your rooms.
  • If you’re still not receiving ample chilly air, you should have your duct system checked by a expert like Paniccia Heating & Cooling. Your ductwork could need to be serviced or relinked in difficult locations 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 Paniccia Heating & Cooling at 219-872-2198. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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