Tips When Your AC Doesn’t Turn on (HVAC Emergency Service!)

Air Conditioning (AC) systems are used in homes to regulate both indoor temperature and humidity levels. These systems work by expelling heat and moisture outside. This way, you get to experience cooler and drier air indoors. But what if it doesn’t turn on in the hot summertime? That’s when the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) emergency service comes in!

In the last Biannual State of Home Survey, it was found that one in five Americans reported the need to repair or replace their heating or air conditioning systems (HVAC). It was the second deeper round of this survey during the summer 2018 edition. This indicates that there is always more need for HVAC emergency service in the coming times.

This blog will elaborate tips on how you can troubleshoot to turn your air conditioner on once again and when to go for HVAC emergency services. So, let’s dig in!

Check Your Settings on the Thermostat

Always ensure that it’s set to ‘cool’ and the temperature on the thermostat is set to lower than your current room temperature. In addition to this, also check for if the fan is set to ‘auto’ or ‘on’. When it is set to ‘auto’, it means that the fan will run automatically only when the air conditioner is actually cooling your indoor air. On the other hand, when the fan is set to ‘on’, it will run continuously even when the air is not being cooled by the AC.

In case your thermostat is rather blank, it might require new batteries, or there might’ve some problem with the circuit breaker related to it. This leads us to the next step that you will need to follow when none of these things work.

Have a Look at Your Home’s Circuit Panel   

The electrical circuits that makeup air conditioning systems consume a significant amount of electricity. A momentary power surge is capable of tripping the circuit breaker and preventing electricity from passing through the circuit. Your AC is unable to operate in this situation.

If a circuit breaker has tripped, it will switch from the 'on' to the 'off' position. Reset tripped breakers by returning them to the 'on' position.

Check If HVAC Systems Power Switches Are on

Most central air conditioning units have two power controls. One switch controls the indoor device, while the other controls the outdoor unit. For your AC to operate, both switches must be in the ‘on’ position.

The switch for the interior unit is typically located close to the furnace or air handler in your system. Typically, the exterior unit's switch is located in a metal box adjacent to the external unit.

Check If the Air Filter is Unclean & Needs Replacement

A clogged air filter can restrict airflow, putting stress on your air conditioner and increasing the likelihood that it will overheat and close down. Throughout the cooling season, the majority of households should replace their air filters at least every three months.

Replace your air filter immediately with the help of HVAC maintenance services if you don't remember when you last did so or if it is obviously unclean. Maintain a stock of multiple filters so that you may easily switch between them when in need.

Inspect Around the Outdoor Unit for Plants and Clutter

As a result of landscaping, loose leaves, mud, and other material block airflow through the exterior unit, and your air conditioner may overheat and shut off. Make sure there is a height clearance of at least five feet and a horizontal clearance of at least two feet

surrounding the unit. Eliminate any obstructions to airflow. Since outdoor air conditioners often discharge the most heat from the top, they require a lot of breathing space above them.

Try Resetting the Device If You Know How To

In the aftermath of a power surge that trips the circuit breaker, your air conditioner can begin operating abnormally. The good news is that a hard reset is sometimes all that is required to get things back to normal. To properly reset your individual system and prevent unintentionally causing extra issues, see the owner's manual that came with your system.

What to Do When You’ve Tried All of the Above Things?

If you have tried all of these steps and your air conditioner still won't power on, then look for a professional HVAC emergency service. At Patriot Plumbing, our highly-trained HVAC specialists can swiftly diagnose the issue and repair your air conditioner so that you can stay cool throughout the summer.

Our emergency HVAC service includes everything from cleaning or replacing air filters to testing safety controls. We also inspect and tighten the electrical connections involved in your AC systems. The goal of our HVAC services is to ensure that your heating or cooling systems operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Our HVAC specialists also ensure that you feel comfortable as an occupant in your residential building while reducing energy consumption and its cost as well.

Conclusion

To conclude, we went through what AC systems are and how much frequently they need repair or replacement. We followed many easy troubleshooting tips like checking the settings of the thermostat, home circuit panel, HVAC system switches, air filters, outdoor unit area and resetting the device.


We also learned the importance of HVAC emergency service in case you are not able to turn your AC on by yourself. For this, our experienced HVAC specialists at Patriot Plumbing are most suited. Our HVAC services are very affordable and give durable results. So, get a free estimate now!