Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, 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 ACE Solutions.

Our experts are standing by at 201-579-2562 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 a couple of reasons why your air conditioner won’t start: a tripped circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

Triggered Circuit Breaker

Your air conditioning won’t start when you have a tripped breaker.

To see if one has blown, go to your residence’s main electrical panel. You can find this metallic fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you work on the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” location. If it’s tripped the lever will be in the middle of the panel or “off” location.
  • Steadily shift the lever back to the “on” position. If it instantly trips again, don’t touch it and reach us at 201-579-2562. A fuse that keeps tripping might signal your house has electrical trouble.

Wrong Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your AC to work, it won’t activate.

The first point is checking it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner may not turn on. Or you might have. heated air blowing from vents since the heat is on instead.

If you have a traditional thermostat:

  • Put in new batteries if the readout is empty. If the readout is presenting jumbled numbers, buy a new thermostat.
  • Check the correct option is displaying. If you can’t update it, reverse it by decreasing the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if the configuration is wrong.
  • Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees below the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is set the same as the space’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is calibrated correctly, you should receive chilled air promptly.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, such as one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for help. If you’re still having problems, reach us at 201-579-2562 for assistance.

Shut-Off Switch

Your system usually has a shut-off switch around its condenser. This device is typically in a metal box attached to your home. If your AC has recently been maintained, the lever may have unintentionally been placed in the “off” location.

Blocked Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans catch the extra water your system takes out of the air. This pan can be found either beneath or in your furnace or air handler.

When there’s an obstruction or clogged drain, water can become concentrated and prompt a safety control to switch off your equipment.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra liquid with a formulated pan-cleaning capsule. You can purchase these capsules at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan includes a pump, look for the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you could need to replace the pump. Contact us at 201-579-2562 for assistance.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your AC is working but not providing cold air, its airflow might be clogged. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.

Obstructed Airflow

Your equipment’s airflow can be reduced by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Replace Your Air Filter

A dirty filter can lead to countless issues, like:

  • Lower airflow
  • Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Intermittent cooling
  • Increased utility costs
  • Leading your system to wear out more quickly

We propose replacing flat filters monthly, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t recall when you last installed a new one, switch off your unit fully and take out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be found in a connected filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

Tilt the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see through it you certainly should replace it.

How to Clean Your AC Equipment

Weeds, plants and bushes can block your condensing system. This may limit its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s how you can get your system operating well again.

  1. Turn off the electrical current fully at the breaker or outdoor device.
  2. Get rid of yard rubbish around the AC. Once you’ve removed bigger refuse within a two-foot space, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to carefully remove dust from the equipment’s fins. Misshapen fins can also impact capability, so you can attempt to straighten them with a small knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Don’t get water on the fan motor.
  4. Put the top back on and restore the power.

Leaking Refrigerant

When AC equipment doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your rooms.

Here are a couple of indications that your equipment is losing refrigerant:

  1. It takes an extended amount of time to cool your rooms and you’re constantly turning down the thermostat.
  2. Cooling moving through the ducts isn’t as cold as it should be.
  3. You’re hearing fizzing or burbling racket when the AC is on.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frosty due to having an issue taking on humidity.

Suspect your unit is losing refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service expert to fix the leak and replenish the correct amount of refrigerant in your unit. Contact us at 201-579-2562 for help.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it seems like you’re not getting adequate amounts of cool air, there’s possibly a clog or separation within your air conditioning unit.

  • The initial step is checking your air filter. Replace it if it’s dirty.
  • Then make sure the ductwork is free around your home.
  • If you’re still not experiencing sufficient chilled air, you should have your ducts examined by a specialist like ACE Solutions. Your duct system could need to be repaired or rejoined in difficult areas 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 ACE Solutions at 201-579-2562. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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