Troubleshooting Your AC Unit

1. Check the Outdoor Unit (Condenser)

Your AC can’t cool if the outdoor unit can’t breathe.

Look for:

• Grass, leaves, sticks, or dirt blocking the coil

• Anything sitting on top of the fan guard

• Plants growing too close (should have 2–3 ft of clearance)

What to do:
Gently clear debris around the unit and rinse the coil with a garden hose (low pressure only).

2. Check the Air Filter

This is the #1 cause of AC problems.

A dirty filter can:

• Reduce airflow

• Freeze the indoor coil

• Make the AC blow warm air

• Cause short-cycling (AC turning off and on)

What to do:

• Turn off the AC

• Replace the air filter

• Wait 1–2 hours and then turn the AC back on to see if cooling returns

If you don’t know where your filter is, it’s usually in:

• The return grill

• Furnace cabinet

• Air handler compartment

3. Make Sure the Thermostat Is Set Correctly

Sometimes the fix is simple.

Check that:

• It's on Cool

• Temperature is set lower than room temp

• Batteries aren’t dead

• Settings like “Fan Only” or “Eco Mode” aren’t blocking cooling

Try switching the thermostat off → wait 60 seconds → back to cool.

4. Check Your Breakers

If the AC won’t turn on at all:

• Look for a tripped breaker for AC, Furnace, or Air Handler

• Reset it once

• If it trips again, do NOT keep resetting — that means a real issue needs repair

5. Listen for Strange Noises or Weak Airflow

Weak air or warm air could mean:

• Dirty indoor evaporator coil

• Frozen coil

• Blower motor issue

• Clogged drain line

If you see ice on the copper refrigerant lines, turn the AC off immediately to prevent compressor damage.

6. Low Refrigerant (Requires a Professional)

If your AC is running but not cooling, refrigerant may be low.

Signs include:

• AC blowing warm or mildly cool air

• Longer run times

• Ice on copper lines

• Hissing or bubbling sounds at the outdoor unit

Important:
Refrigerant does not get used up — if it’s low, there’s a leak that must be repaired by a licensed HVAC technician.

When to Call a Professional

Call an HVAC technician if:

• The unit keeps freezing

• Breakers continue to trip

• There’s no airflow from vents

• You suspect a refrigerant leak

• The AC is making loud buzzing, grinding, or banging noises

We can diagnose the issue, repair the system, and make sure your home cools properly again.