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As a homeowner, would you know what to do when your AC stops working in the middle of summer? Air conditioners have all sorts of moving parts, and there are plenty of valid reasons why yours may stop working as efficiently as it should. However, you should never try to tinker with these systems yourself if you don’t want to cause more damage, risk an injury, or possibly void your warranty!
Instead, call a professional like JC Mechanical, the team that provides Denver’s reliable air conditioner repair service, including emergency repair. With over 30 years in the industry, there’s no air conditioner problem the team can’t handle.
Here, they list a few reasons your air conditioning may stop working and what to do next.
Even If You Don’t Know the Cause, Try A Reset
Has your air conditioner stopped working during a storm or after a power surge? You may just need to reset it. All you need is a little patience to find out if resetting the unit is enough.
- Switch off your air conditioner.
- Check your circuit breaker is on (if your air conditioner stopped working because of a power surge, you may discover the breaker in the “off” position).
- Wait 30 minutes to give your air conditioner time to reset.
If the unit starts working when you turn it back on, there’s no reason to worry. If not, call a professional like JC Mechanical for service.
The Easiest Step is to Change the Air Filter
Your air conditioner removes mold spores, pollen, and other contaminants from the air supply before it disperses cool air throughout your property. If it’s been a few months since you changed the air filter, it might be clogged with debris.
Unfortunately, a dirty air filter lowers your indoor air quality and keeps your unit from working efficiently. You may also need to change your air filter if your air conditioner doesn’t cool evenly or if you start noticing unusually high energy bills. A quick filter change can work wonders for your air conditioner!
The Next Check Involves the Thermostat Settings
Knowing what to do when your AC stops working includes remembering to check your thermostat. Perhaps, someone felt too cold and increased the temperature. If that’s the case, you’ll solve the mystery and be able to figure out the right temperature setting to keep everyone comfortable.
However, if nobody secretly adjusted the thermostat, your cooling system may have a bigger problem. Is your home always too warm, no matter how low you set the temperature? You may have a damaged thermostat or one that’s too close to a drafty window or door.
Call a professional AC repair contractor like JC Mechanical to inspect your thermostat for damage, recalibrate it, and ensure your air conditioner reaches an accurate temperature level.
Inspect the Condenser and Evaporator Coils for Visible Damage or Freezing
Do you see puddles of liquid outside your air conditioner? If you look at the condenser coils and notice ice buildup, you’ve likely found the problem.
The copper evaporator coils comprise delicate AC system components that easily develop holes, which allow refrigerant to leak out. If you see puddles of refrigerant, call for AC maintenance right away, and don’t handle the leaking refrigerant with your bare hands.
A “frozen” air conditioner doesn’t just need a little time to warm up and work again. While this approach might work for a little while if you turn the unit off overnight, it’s not a permanent solution. It’s also likely that there is too much dirt inside your air conditioner to keep the coils from cooling, so use a soft cloth and brush to carefully clean them without causing any damage.
Unblock the Vents to Restore Adequate Air Flow
If you are still wondering what to do when your AC stops working, and the above checks don’t reveal a problem, check the vents. Does your air conditioner seem to run, but you don’t feel any air coming out of the vents? You could have a problem with the ductwork.
Check for visible signs of dust. When an air conditioner operates with a dirty air filter, it causes dust particles and other pollution to flow freely through the ductwork. This process forms a thick layer on the vents, and air can’t flow well through blocked vents.
Simply giving the vents a wipe-down could help you cool your property as desired.
Ask a Maintenance Team to Investigate the Ductwork
If your vents seem clean, but you still don’t feel any air blowing out of one or more vents, you could have damaged ductwork. Small animals like mice love the insulation surrounding the ductwork. So, check for holes and mouse droppings in and around the ductwork if you can see into it.
Holes in the ductwork also mean you’re paying through the nose to cool the attic or underside of your home, potentially wasting thousands on energy bills. Unfortunately, any holes will only grow bigger and invite more pests inside, so it is best to call for professional assistance sooner rather than later.
Take a Look at the Condenser Unit For Signs of a Problem
The condenser sits outside, exposed to harsh sun, snowstorms, and debris like fallen leaves and branches. Too much dirt buildup inside this area will overwork the air conditioner, drive up energy bills, and eventually stop it from working altogether.
The inside of the condenser also has a layer of insulation protecting its delicate components. As natural wear and tear happens, the condenser could begin to overheat or stop working. Luckily, a professional HVAC technician like JC Mechanical can quickly identify the signs of wear on the condenser unit and replace the insulation to help it last longer.
Diligently Schedule Annual Maintenance For Great Results
The best way to handle air conditioner problems is to avoid them in the first place! Schedule annual maintenance and get the following services:
- Change air filter: Improve your indoor air quality and keep your air conditioner from working harder than it needs to.
- Clean inside and out: Remove the dust and dirt that damage the moving parts to safeguard efficiency.
- Check thermostat: Check for signs of damage and recalibrate it.
- Locate leaks: Identify pinhole-sized leaks in the evaporator coils that can cause a refrigerant leak. The team will top off the refrigerant if necessary.
- Conduct repairs: Replace any parts that show signs of damage.
So, it’s clear that investing in annual air conditioner maintenance like this will extend the life of your air conditioner. Regular repairs over the years will delay the cost of replacement, giving you time to take advantage of the latest technology and energy-efficiency improvements.
Schedule Reliable Service from a Family-Owned Business Now!
Attempting DIY AC repair could end up causing damage and voiding your warranty. So, if you don’t know any difference between a blower motor and a condenser, leave your air conditioner’s repairs and maintenance to the experts at JC Mechanical. We’ve been in business for over 30 years and have a reliable team who can handle any kind of air conditioning emergency.
Do you know what to do when your AC stops working? If resetting it hasn’t worked, come to JC Mechanical. Whether you need routine maintenance or 24/7 emergency services in Denver, Colorado, schedule an appointment via our online form or call us at 720-594-5588 today!
Author Bio:
Jimmie Ciccone
Owner of JC Mechanical Heating & Air Conditioning. A small family-owned company with over 30 years of experience dedicated to providing the best service possible to our customers. They guarantee 100% customer satisfaction, and if you aren’t satisfied, then you don’t pay them a dime.
