Introduction
If your air conditioner unexpectedly goes out, your home will become an uncomfortable place, especially on very hot days. Before you panic or hastily call a technician, it might be beneficial to understand that many AC issues can be easily identified and fixed on your own. We will also cover some common reasons why your AC unit may not be working properly and provide some easy-to-follow troubleshooting steps to restore chilly comfort to your home in this blog.
Why Your AC Suddenly Stops Working: Common Reasons
When the heat cranks up and suddenly your air conditioning unit isn’t blowing cold air, it can feel like an emergency. Some things can be fixed fairly easily, while others may need the touch of a professional.
Here are the most likely reasons your air conditioner might have suddenly gone out:
- Tripped Circuit Breaker: A tripped circuit breaker is a common form of safety, which usually happens from an overloaded circuit, a short, or just normal operations of the system during high demand.
- Dirty Air Filter: A dirty air filter can clog so much airflow that it even freezes up (frozen coils), or the fan motor overheats and shuts down for good reason.
- Thermostat Problems: Dead batteries, improper temperature selections of fan only or heat selections, or having a faulty thermostat make the whole system look broken.
- Frozen evaporator coils: A frozen evaporator coil situation occurs when an airflow restriction (dirty filter) happens, or the refrigerant levels are too low for a leak, causing moisture to freeze on the coils and form a block of ice.
- Outdoor Unit Problems: Either the condenser coil has dirt and debris build up restricting or impeding proper heat exchange, or the outdoor fan motor has failed.
What to Do When Your AC Stops Working: A Step-by-Step Guide
Don’t panic! These are some of the basic troubleshooting steps to follow before calling an HVAC technician and paying for a service call.
Learn the troubleshooting steps — Don’t stop reading!
- Check the Thermostat
The most important thing is to make sure that your thermostat is turned to the cooling state and that the temperature is lower than the temperature of the room. Check the batteries and change them where needed. Ensure it was not left on accident, either to Heat or Off.
- Check the Circuit Breaker.
Go to your primary electrical switchboard. Find an AC, Furnace, or HVAC breaker in the Off or mid-position. To reset: Press the breaker to the OFF and then to the ON.
| Caution! If the breaker resets itself again, immediately, do not look at resetting the breaker again. |
- Check for Frozen Coils
Go to your indoor unit and check to see whether there is ice on the large copper pipe or the coils. In case you see ice, the system should thaw. Switch the unit and leave it for a few hours until the ice disappears. After the thawing, check the air filter and then restart the system.
- Examine the Air Filter
One of the major causes of AC problems is a clogged air filter. A soiled filter does not allow air to pass and may result in the blockage of the unit. In case of a gray and opaque filter, change it instantly with a clean one.
- Clean outside Unit (condenser).
Make sure that there is a proper clearance of at least two to three feet around your outdoor unit of vegetation, rubbish, or furniture. To clean dirty metal fins, turn off the power and spray off the dirt with a garden hose.
- When to Call a Pro
Unless the system is functioning, it is time to get a qualified HVAC technician after visiting all these steps. The professional assistance will be required on:
- BANGS! BANGG! BANGGG! and grinds, hisses — weird noises.
- Burning smells.
- Water is leaking indoors.
- Leaks of refrigerant.
- When the unit is in operation, though, it does not cool the air.
Conclusion
An unexpected AC failure can be intimidating, but knowing what to do when it happens will help you get back to comfort quickly. If the problem is minor, like a blown breaker or an unclean filter, you can probably fix it on your own. If the problem is more serious than that, don’t hesitate to call in a professional. Regular preventative maintenance and quick attention to issues will help make sure your AC is keeping you cool when you need it the most!
FAQs
How often should I replace my AC filter?
If you want better performance from your AC, then you should replace it every 1-3 months.
What’s the ideal thermostat setting in summer?
The best thermostat setting in summer is 24 to 26 degrees Celsius.
Can a dirty outdoor unit cause my AC to stop?
Yes, dirt or debris on the outside unit can block heat exchange and stop cooling.