Here’s What to Do When Your Air Conditioner Stops Working
Here in Cooper City, FL, temperatures rise to 90 degrees regularly from June to September. As if the high heat isn’t enough, these are also the months with the most rainfall, ranging from 7.5 to 8.2 inches. The high humidity makes it feel hotter, and the only thing that worsens it is if your cooling unit gives out, so here’s what to do when your air conditioner stops working.
Every second counts when your unit is off, as your indoor temperature may rise uncontrollably. Rather than succumb to the lethargy, try some of the following methods for getting your system back on track as you wait for a reliable AC repair in Cooper City.
1. Examine Your Thermostat
Your thermostat is the brain of your cooling unit. It analyzes the current indoor temperature at all times, and if the temperature rises past a certain point, it sends signals to your air conditioning unit to power on. It then monitors the indoor climate as your unit cycles and tells it to power off once the new temperature matches your desired temperature setting.
However, there are times you probably raise your thermostat setting or power off your thermostat, such as when you’re not home, to save electricity. If you don’t reprogram it later, the thermostat won’t tell your HVAC system to turn on until the indoor temperature is much higher. In this case, your system won’t turn on when needed, so check where your thermostat is set regularly.
You should also check your thermostat for:
- Faulty batteries that keep the thermostat from powering on
- Thermostats set to heat on central heating and cooling units
- Shortages or other electrical issues that bar cool air
2. Inspect the Circuit Breaker
If you’ve checked your thermostat and it’s set correctly, but your AC still isn’t working, check the circuit breaker. This electrical safety device interrupts bad current flows, like an overload or short circuit, by powering down. This process prevents damaged circuits, frayed wires, and even house fires but restricts power to your rooms.
A tripped circuit breaker may be in the off position or between on and off. Some may even have a button that lights up to warn you the breaker tripped and isn’t working, but fully power off your circuit breaker before turning it back on again. If that doesn’t help and you’re still wondering what to do when your air conditioner stops working, you may have:
- A faulty thermostat that needs repairs or replacing
- Damaged wires
- A bad circuit breaker
3. Clean or Change Filters
If the first two methods don’t help, you may have dirty air filters, which is usually the first thing technicians check for during semi-annual maintenance and HVAC repairs.
Filters keep contaminants out of the system, which would otherwise build up between parts and cause the components to work harder and deteriorate. It also keeps your system from distributing contaminated air, which would lower your air quality. Hair, dander, dust, and other debris traveling through the air latches onto the meshy surface as the unit sucks in air. However, if particles accumulate until a wall forms, preventing optimal airflow, it’ll make it difficult to cool your home. It also lowers cooling capacity, prolongs each cycle, and eventually causes your system to overheat and shut down. Therefore, change or clean your filters seasonally.
4. Check Duct Condition
Knowing what to do when your air conditioner stops working also includes wiping down your ducts since blockages also occur in the metal chutes behind walls and ceilings. Usually, buildups occur within the ducts if you don’t have a filter on your unit or the filter is dirty. The HVAC system then sucks in the filth and redistributes it via the chutes into each room, but some particles settle within the vents as it travels.
Wiping down the ducts as far as you can reach and cleaning the attaching vents helps remove some of the particles, but since these chutes are usually long and winding, you won’t be able to cover every square inch. So, call a professional to clean them thoroughly and check for cracks and disconnected sections that cause air loss.
The Coolest Team in Town!
While these methods help you better understand what to do when your air conditioner stops working, never play the guessing game when trying to fix your HVAC unit. Instead, call Cool By Design Air Conditioning Experts in Cooper City, FL, for AC maintenance, repairs, and replacements. Our number-one team with over 100 five-star reviews has experience providing these services and more, so call 954-541-8277!
