AC Unit Not Turning On? Here’s How to Fix It
April showers are gone, and the May flowers are here, along with the heat. As school winds down and the days get longer, you and your family will probably spend more time outside. Once you’re done with your fun in the sun, you’ll want to head back inside to cool down.
An AC unit not turning on can be the quickest way to derail your plans to cool off.
Staying inside a sweltering house is enough to make anyone miserable. You’re going to want to get your AC back up and running as quickly as possible. Keep reading to learn why your AC might not be turning on – and how you can fix it.
AC Unit Not Turning on Due to the Thermostat
If your HVAC unit isn’t cooling your home or not even turning on, the first thing you should do is examine your thermostat. The problem can be as simple as the thermostat being set to the incorrect temperature. Someone may have even shut it off entirely.
Once you turn it on, set the thermostat to five degrees cooler than what you perceive as the ambient temperature in the room. If it still doesn’t turn on, there may be something wrong with the thermostat itself. If it’s battery-powered, swap out the old batteries for new ones.
After you do all this, and your unit still won’t turn on, contact a repair service. The wiring may have gotten crossed, or pests may have chewed through it.
Low Refrigerant
Your air conditioner not turning on could be the result of low refrigerant.
Refrigerant is a cooling fluid in the air conditioner’s coils. It cools the air that circulates in your system.
A refrigerant shortage isn’t the result of your air conditioner using up the fluid. Instead, leaks tend to be the culprit. Cracks can build up over time in the AC’s coils, which causes the refrigerant to spill out.
If your AC doesn’t undergo regular maintenance, it can suffer from corrosion over time.
You can’t do much yourself to fix this issue. Refrigerant levels have to exactly match the AC manufacturer’s specifications. You’ll need to contact a repair service to help here.
A Problem with the Condensate Drain Line
The drain line in an air conditioning unit eliminates the water generated when the evaporator converts refrigerant from liquid to gas. If it isn’t cleaned, algae and grime can accumulate on the drain line.
High humidity can also clog the line. Once clogged, the line trips a safety switch that shuts the air conditioner off. To unclog the drain line, turn off the HVAC unit and use a wet/dry vacuum to clear the line.
If the problem continues, seek out a professional to minimize damage.
Stay Comfortable in Your Home with Quality Air
An AC unit not turning on can make you feel like you’re baking on a hot day. Some issues require a simple fix that you can do yourself, while others require the help of a professional.
At Enhanced Heating & Air Conditioning, we guarantee that your home’s air and heat work when you need them. We also provide service to ensure that your air quality is at a healthy level for you and your family. If you need maintenance or emergency service, contact us so we can get your HVAC unit back up to par.