What to check before you call for an AC repair
Thermostat settings, breaker trips, filter clogs, and other quick fixes that save a service call.
By Trey · · 4 min read
When your air conditioner stops working on a hot Texas day, the first instinct is to pick up the phone and call for service. But before you do, there are a few simple things you can check yourself that might save you a service call fee or help the technician diagnose the problem faster. Most AC issues fall into a few predictable categories, and spending five minutes on basic troubleshooting can tell you whether you have a real emergency or something minor you can fix right now.
Check the thermostat first
Your thermostat is the command center for your whole system. Make sure it is set to cool mode, not heat or fan only. Check that the temperature setting is actually lower than the current room temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, verify that it hasn't switched to a schedule that's heating your home instead of cooling it. If the display is blank or unresponsive, replace the batteries. A dead battery is one of the most common reasons people call for AC service when nothing is actually wrong with the unit itself.
Look at your air filter
A clogged air filter is the second biggest culprit behind no-cooling complaints. Walk over to your furnace or air handler and check the filter. You should be able to see light through it when you hold it up. If it looks dark and packed with dust, replace it with a new one rated for your system. This takes two minutes and costs five dollars. A dirty filter blocks airflow and makes your system work twice as hard. It can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze up, which will shut down cooling entirely.
Verify the outdoor unit is running
Go outside and look at your condenser unit, the big metal box sitting on a pad near your house. Put your hand near the fan. You should feel air being pulled up and out. Listen for the compressor humming. If the fan is not spinning or you hear nothing at all, the system is not running. Check that nothing is blocking the unit, like leaves, branches, or trash. Clear away any debris within a foot of the unit on all sides. If the fan still does not spin after clearing obstructions, you have a real problem that needs a professional.
Check your circuit breaker
AC systems have a dedicated breaker, and sometimes they trip. Walk to your electrical panel and look for a breaker labeled AC or HVAC. If it is in the off position or in the middle, switch it all the way off and then back on. Wait a few minutes and see if your system kicks back on. If the breaker trips again immediately, do not keep flipping it. That indicates an electrical fault that requires professional repair. Call us at that point because it is not safe to troubleshoot further.
Listen for warning sounds
If your system is running but producing no cool air, pay attention to what you hear. A hissing sound usually means a refrigerant leak. A grinding or squealing noise suggests a bearing or belt problem. Banging or rattling means something inside the unit is loose or broken. These are all situations where you need a technician. But if the system is simply running quietly and the air coming from your vents just happens to be warm, the problem is often one of the simple fixes above.
When to call for service
After you have checked the thermostat, replaced the filter, confirmed the outdoor unit is running, and verified the breaker is on, you have done the basic diagnostics. If your system still is not cooling, or if you found any of the warning signs mentioned above, that is when you should call Bradbury Brothers Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical. We serve Magnolia and the surrounding area with same-day AC repair when we can. Having done these checks yourself means we can get straight to work instead of spending the first thirty minutes ruling out simple problems. It also helps us understand what you have already tried, which saves you time and money. Give us a call and we will get your system back online.