Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Magnolia, Texas, can appear like a lot of hassle.

There’s a better way. There are several quick remedies you can attempt by yourself that might help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, try this checklist before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like JTech Mechanical.

Our experts are standing by at 281-231-8768 when you need expert service. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.

If you want to get an up to date air conditioner, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re in contact with us, contemplate a yearly AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of future malfunctions. We can advise how often you need air conditioner service.

Ready to get started troubleshooting your system? Try our fast tips below. Many of these procedures don’t require any HVAC knowledge.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be a couple of reasons why your AC unit won’t work: a tripped circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a turned off switch or a full condensate drain pan.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Your AC won’t work when you have an overloaded breaker.

To check if one has tripped, go to your home’s main electrical panel. You can locate this gray box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Ensure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you work on the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” position. If it’s tripped the lever will be in the middle or “off” location.
  • Firmly transfer the switch back to the “on” spot. If it instantaneously triggers again, don’t touch it and call us at 281-231-8768. A breaker that keeps tripping might mean your house has an electrical problem.

Inaccurate Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your system to work, it won’t switch on.

The key point is making sure it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC may not switch on. Or you might receive. hot air coming from vents being the heater is going instead.

If you’re using a digital thermostat:

  • Replace the batteries if the screen is blank. If the screen is presenting scrambled numbers, get a new thermostat.
  • Check the right setting is on the display. If you can’t change it, reverse it by lowering the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if the configuration is not right.
  • Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat matches the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is set correctly, you should receive chilled air fast.

If you have a smart thermostat, such as one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still having problems, contact us at 281-231-8768 for support.

Shut-Off Switch

Your cooling equipment typically has a shut-down switch by its outdoor unit. This lever is generally in a metal box mounted on your home. If your equipment has recently been tuned up, the switch may have accidentally been placed in the “off” position.

Clogged Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans hold the extra liquid your AC removes from the air. This pan can be situated either under or in your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a blockage or blocked drain, water can accumulate and prompt a safety feature to turn off your unit.

If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus water with a formulated pan-cleaning tablet. You can buy these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan involves a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you might have to install a new pump. Reach us at 281-231-8768 for help.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your air conditioner is working but not delivering cold air, its airflow could be clogged. Or it may not have enough refrigerant.

Blocked Airflow

Your unit’s airflow can be decreased by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.

How to Replace Your Air Filter

A dusty filter can lead to many issues, like:

  • Lower airflow
  • Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Higher utility expenses
  • Making your system wear out faster

We recommend changing flat filters every four weeks, and creased filters every three months.

If you aren’t sure when you last installed a new one, shut off your equipment fully and pull out the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be situated in an adjoining filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see any light you should get a new one.

How to Clean Your Air Conditioning Equipment

Brush, plants and bushes can obstruct your condensing equipment. This could reduce its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your equipment running properly again.

  1. Turn off the electrical current fully at the breaker or outdoor switch.
  2. Get rid of vegetation waste around the equipment. Once you’ve gotten rid of all the debris within a two-foot area, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the equipment’s fins. Deformed fins can also affect capability, so you can attempt to adjust them with a small knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Be careful to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
  4. Replace the top and turn on the power.

Not Enough Refrigerant

When AC units don’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your residence.

Here are a couple of symptoms that your unit is leaking refrigerant:

  1. It takes an extended amount of time to refresh your residence and you’re constantly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
  2. Air coming through the registers isn’t as chilly as it should be.
  3. You’re noticing whistling or bubbling racket when the AC works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is iced over due to having difficulty absorbing humidity.

Worried your unit is losing refrigerant? You need a qualified heating and cooling service specialist to repair the leak and restore the correct level of refrigerant in your equipment. Get in touch with us at 281-231-8768 for help.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it appears like you’re not receiving ample amounts of chilled air, there’s likely a blockage or detachment somewhere in your air conditioning equipment.

  • The beginning place is looking at your air filter. Replace it if it’s soiled.
  • Then check the ductwork is clear around your rooms.
  • If you’re still not getting enough cold air, you should have your ductwork checked by a expert like JTech Mechanical. Your duct system may need to be serviced or rejoined in hard-to-reach locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Pro Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you require air conditioning service quickly, contact the HVAC repair experts at JTech Mechanical at 281-231-8768. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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