During the summertime, our air conditioning units are essential for our overall comfort. For those who might have an infant, older family member or pregnant person in their home, the air conditioning unit might even be essential for the overall health of the household. That is why when your air conditioning unit will not turn on, it is important to figure out why immediately. But do not panic yet; there are a couple common reasons why your air conditioning unit might not turn on. You might be able to fix a few of these yourself! Instead of panicking, do a little troubleshooting to try to get to the root of the problem and get your AC back up and running.
What Prevents AC Units From Working
There are some common reasons your air conditioning unit might not turn on, some of which, you may be able to fix yourself while others you will need a professional ac repair service. Here are a few of the most common reasons your ac unit might not turn on.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
Circuit breakers are a safety device in nearly all buildings that are designed to shut off power when there is an overload of electricity. These are necessary, and protect your home from a fire. If your AC unit has stopped working, check if other appliances in the area have stopped as well; if so, a tripped circuit breaker might be the cause. The breaker could trip if there are too many appliances plugged in or if the appliances are using too much energy. Check the breaker box in your home to fix the issue.
Blown Fuse
Similar to tripping a circuit breaker, homes may also have fuses that blow if there is too much electricity passing through them. You can check your fuse box to see if you have blown a fuse; if so, head to your nearest hardware store to purchase a replacement fuse.
Parts Of Your AC Unit Are Dirty And Need To Be Cleaned
Like many other appliances in your home, your air conditioning unit needs regular maintenance to ensure it will continue to work properly. If debris is allowed to build up on the unit, it may prevent the AC from operating properly and doing its job. There are two places that should be cleaned regularly.
Evaporator Coils or Condenser Lines
The evaporator coils are part of the unit that is inside your home. The dust, debris and dander that your HVAC unit cleans from your home’s air often gets trapped around your evaporator coils. Ideally, you should have regular maintenance done to clean these coils, however, if you need to locate and clean them in a pinch, you can locate these by removing the access panel to access the evaporator coils.
The condenser lines are located on the outside AC unit, which makes them more likely to get clogged with leaves, debris or mold, or even a rodent or bird nest. To check and clean this area, locate the AC unit outside your home and lift the lid.
Before conducting either of these cleanings, however, always make sure the power source that feeds your AC unit is off, or contact a professional HVAC maintenance company to complete the work.
Your AC Filter Needs Changed
Your heating and cooling system also helps filter the air in your home, so the filters need to be changed regularly. If you have not changed your air filters in a while, head to the hardware store to pick up a new filter.
You May Have A Refrigerant Leak
Like a car, your AC unit needs refrigerant to work properly. However, sometimes AC units develop leaks, which may cause them to stop working properly. If you have a refrigerant leak, contact a HVAC professional to fix the issue.
AC Motor is Broken
If you had previously noticed strange noises coming from your AC unit, your motor might be the culprit. If you suspect a faulty motor might be the issue, contact an HVAC professional to fix the problem.
Wiring Issues In Your Home
Sometimes, the problem may not be your AC unit at all. If you have noticed issues with other appliances, humming sounds when you plug electrical items in or lights flickering, you may have a wiring problem in your home. These are early warning signs that may develop into larger issues, so you will want to contact a professional electrician to fix the underlying problem.
Replace Your Thermostat
As the control panel for your AC system, your thermostat is an integral part of the operation. If you notice the thermostat is blank or broken, it may prevent your AC from turning on.
Getting Your AC Unit Up And Running Again
If your air conditioning system has stopped working for any reason, you will want to contact a professional HVAC company to assess the issue and fix the problem. Contact the team at Central Heating today to schedule regular maintenance or to have our team address an issue with your air conditioning unit. During the heat of the summer, you do not want to be without your cooling system!
