AC Not Working Correctly? Troubleshoot Before Calling for Service

July 13, 2020

ac troubleshooting massachusetts

The summer heat is here – is your cooling system up for the challenge?

If your central air conditioner doesn’t work – or doesn’t work the way it should – don’t worry: FSi will be there for you. But before you contact us for AC service, it pays to do a little troubleshooting first: sometimes you can handle the problem yourself without paying for a service call.

A few things to check before requesting AC repair

If your AC system doesn’t start at all:

  1. Ensure that your thermostat is:
    • Set for “air conditioning,” or “cool,” and;
    • Set for at least 5 degrees cooler than your current room temperature.
  2. Make sure your circuit breakers haven’t been tripped.
    • A circuit breaker shuts off (“trips”) to prevent circuit overload, which can cause a fire. Reset the breaker and try the system again.
  3. Make sure all power switches that affect the air conditioner are turned on.
    • Find any switches inside and outside your home that might affect your A/C’s operation; make sure they’re in the “on” position.

If these three measures don’t work, contact us for service.

If your AC system turns on but doesn’t blow cool air:

  1. Make sure your thermostat is properly set (see #1 above)
  2. Make sure your vents aren’t blocked by furniture, curtains, etc.
  3. Check your outdoor unit (the condenser) to see if the fan is running. If it isn’t:
    • Check for a power switch (see #3 above).
    • Check circuit breakers (see #2 above).
    • Check for debris inside the condenser (TURN OFF THE POWER FIRST!).
  4. Check the indoor unit.
    • Make sure all power switches are on (see #3 above)
    • Check your air filters; if they’re clogged, clean or replace them according to manufacturer’s instructions, then try the air conditioner again.

If none of these measures work, contact FSi for an air conditioning repair.

Don’t worry – If your AC doesn’t work, FSi’s emergency technicians will be ready with a truck full of parts ready to take on any cooling system. And if it’s time to replace your AC with a new, high-efficiency unit, we’ve can help you there, too, with expert air conditioner service and air conditioner installations in Greater Springfield, MA!

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