Air Conditioner Broken – What can I do?

We’ve all been there. It’s the middle of summer (or what feels like summer) and all of a sudden, the AC is broken. It begins leaking, making strange noises, or doesn’t cool effectively. Of course, if there is ever a problem such as this with your AC, it’s best to consult a professional. However, we are providing a list of potential reasons why your AC unit may not be working.

1 – The condenser isn’t running – A fuse may be blown or there may be a tripped breaker –  A central air conditioner should be on a dedicated 240-volt circuit. You can reset the breaker by turning it off then on again. Otherwise, the fuse may need to be replaced. Another cause of this is the thermostat isn’t set properly. There could be a faulty motor or compressor.

2 – If the air conditioning unit is not cooling properly, the drain pipe may be clogged by algae and/or a leak can be occurring around the area of this drain pipe. Another issue may be a dirty evaporator or an improperly sized air conditioner.

3 – The AC unit is not blowing air – The most likely cause of this situation is that the belt connecting the air handler motor and blower is broken or damaged.

4 – Air unit runs but does not cool – Check the thermostat and the compressor. The compressor might be blocked by plants or other debris. You may have a faulty compressor or not enough refrigerant in the system.

5 – AC unit turns on and off at random times – This is something that happens when the unit has not been cleaned in a while. The condenser or evaporator unit could be blocked or broken.

Any of these issues causing a broken air conditioner should be consulted and fixed by a certified HVAC technician for an AC Repair. With warmer months ahead, it’s a good idea to contact us for an annual HVAC tune-up. Schedule your appointment by calling us at 813-689-2082!