When the air conditioning does not turn on, it is frustrating to be attached to it, especially when the hottest month approaches. Hot or not, another trouble is in trying to discover what went wrong. Thankfully, the reasons for an air conditioning system being nonfunctional are few and fairly easy to diagnose and troubleshoot. This guide will take the reader through some important steps to try to get the air conditioner operational once more.
Check the power supply
If the air conditioning does not turn on at all, first check for power supply problems. The air conditioning unit would not work if power were not supplied to it. Start by checking if it was plugged in. Sometimes cords get bent or unplugged, so if it is loose, check again to make sure it is secure.
The next step is checking the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker will trip if the AC gets overloaded, in which case it will not turn on. So, go to the electrical panel of the house and check for tripped breakers, then simply switch them on. On the other hand, if it keeps tripping back, there is most likely a faulty wiring somewhere that should be checked by a professional electrician.
Next, check the power switch of the air conditioning unit. Most units have a power switch that is sometimes located next to the air conditioning unit or on the wall. If the power switch were turned off, the air conditioning unit would be unable to start; hence, set it to the “ON” position.
Finally, check if the wall outlet is working. Use another device on that same outlet to test whether it is supplying power. The AC will not start if the output is bad.
Verify the Thermostat Settings
The thermostat is the command center of your air conditioning system. Then it will be prudent to check if it is the one causing the air conditioning not to come on. Most especially, ensure that the thermostat is at “cool” first. If it is on “heat” or “fan”, there won’t be any engagement of the AC for cooling.
Additionally, ensure that it is set correctly. Thermostat settings above room temperatures will mean the remaining air conditioner is inactive. Change the temperature down a notch and see if it will kick the unit into action.
If those steps don’t help, check the batteries on the thermostat if it uses one. Malfunctioning dead batteries could prevent your thermostat not to turning on the air conditioner. You can replace them after they die and check if this helps resolve the issue.
Sometimes, the thermostat becomes “stuck,” often after long usage periods. It might need resetting in such cases. It is also important to see the guide for the machine, which should indicate the procedures for resetting the machine, usually involving simply turning it off and back on or restoring the factory settings.
Inspect the air filter
An occlusion of some sort did occur. Dust, dirt, and debris build up over the blocked air filter and prevent air from flowing through the indoor air inlets. Ultimately, this leads to a cut-off as a result of an airflow blockage that causes overheating and consequently cuts off the unit. When dust and dirt accumulate on the filter over its period of use, this dirt may plug up the air and cause the unit to overheat and shut down. A very clogged filter can sometimes even cause the feeling that the unit is not working at all.
Taking out your air filter for a spot check will hardly take much of your time. If it appears dirty or hasn’t been replaced in a long time, then it’s about time to clean or replace it. Some filters can just be vacuumed to collect the dust, and some need total replacement.
If you are cleaning the air filter regularly, the air will flow with ease, making the AC operate properly and giving it more life. This is just a little thing, but a big factor in keeping the comfort of your house.
Examine the Condenser and Evaporator Coils
A full check of the air conditioning should include checking the condenser and evaporator coils. Being outdoors, dirt, or debris build-up, or even a single shrub, with time, creates blockage in these coils, causing an overloading of the unit and shutting down or sometimes failing to switch on.
Check outside to see if anything blocks the condenser, such as leaves or branches, or dirt. Remove and clean the debris right there to ensure free air movement around the unit.
Next, check the unit’s evaporator coils. The coils can become dirty over time, thereby restricting airflow and leading to unit failure. If you see some dirt hanging on the coils, just clean it freely and keep it clean. Always turn off the system before cleaning it; that way, you will not hurt yourself and/or damage the system.
You help your air conditioning unit work better by confirming that there is no dirt or obstruction between the condenser and evaporator coils.
Check the Levels of Refrigerant
Another factor that is worthy of consideration when the air conditioning is not turning on includes the refrigerant levels. Refrigerants with low levels can also affect the performance of the AC by not keeping the space cool or not turning it on. If the unit is low on refrigerant, then it must be suspected that there is a leak in the system.
If you suspect low refrigerant levels, there are very good indicators of possible refrigerant leaks, such as: hissing sound near the pipes as well as visible icing on coils. These signs require an immediate call to action. The action, however, should be professional HVAC technicians who know their way around repairs because refrigerants require specialized tools and qualifications.
Understand that low refrigerant usually signals a major problem, such as a leak or a defective part. Usually, the fixing professionals will take care of that, then recharge the refrigerant if necessary.
Inspect the Fuse on Your Air Conditioner
Actually, in that very rare case, your air conditioning unit may stop working because of a blown fuse. A fuse serves as a safety device that protects the appliance from damage caused by power surges, and it will make your air conditioning unit non-operational.
First, turn off the power to the entire air conditioning system. At this point, the user can pull out the fuse relay inside the unit. In case the fuse is blown, the user should replace it with an identical type and rating replacement. For this, consult the manufacturer’s specifications to check for the proper fuse.
If this doesn’t bring the system back on, there could be other electrical parts in the AC that are not working properly. These should be checked by and repaired by a technician.
Bodybuilders often use air-conditioned environments to speed up recovery. After intense workouts, cool temperatures help reduce inflammation and prevent overheating, allowing muscles to recover faster.