AC Not Working? Troubleshooting Before You Call a Pro

Key Points

• There are a handful of common troubleshooting tasks you can tackle yourself if your AC starts to struggle, such as swapping out the air filter, cleaning the coils, and inspecting the ductwork.
• Call a licensed professional for parts replacement and additional troubleshooting when the equipment is still underperforming after you service the system.
• Before pulling the trigger on part swaps, compare the cost of a repair to that of a new system to determine the best option for your space.

Having a broken air conditioner can feel like the end of the world, especially if it happens to break in the middle of a heatwave. If it breaks in spring or fall, the consequences might feel a bit less severe. Still, a broken or malfunctioning air conditioner isn’t something you can sit on forever. You’ll need to figure out if it needs simple repairs or if it needs to be replaced entirely, which takes significantly more time and money. Don’t wait for the problem to sort itself out—trust us, it won’t. Instead, familiarize yourself with a few common AC malfunctions, and maybe put your HVAC repair technician on speed dial.

Troubleshooting a broken AC can be tricky. There are many, many reasons your AC might be acting up, ranging from overcharged or undercharged refrigerant to problems with the condenser. But those are complicated issues best left to a professional to diagnose and resolve. There are a few maintenance tips you can try, and symptoms you can (and should) take note of before you call a professional, though.

When was the last time you changed your air filters? If you don't know, then congratulations! Because you just found a big part of the problem. A clean air filter is critically important to proper air conditioner function. If you don’t regularly change or clean your air filters, you make it more difficult for your AC to function. Think of your vents like your nose: if you’ve got a stuffy nose, breathing is next to impossible, right? If your air filters are stuffy and dirty, you make it that much harder for your HVAC system to pull air through them. Check the air filter regularly. Check it again when you think you've got broken air conditioning. If the filter is dirty, change it out.

Maybe your filter is nice and clean, and your problem is ice. Ice build-up on an outside coil, even in summer, is a problem. Ice on the coils could indicate a refrigerant leak somewhere. But it could also just mean your coils were really dirty. When you find ice, turn off the unit to let it all melt. Next, look at the coils. Dirty coils can lead to icing. Spray them down with a hose. Use a soft brush to remove any debris from around the fins. Turn the unit back on again. If the ice doesn't return, the dirt and grime on the coils was likely the problem. If the ice does return, you may be looking at a refrigerant issue. If that’s the case, you’ll need to call a certified technician to get your refrigerant levels right.

Is the air cool, but it doesn't seem to be blowing as effectively as it once did? Check all of your vents. If you're only getting weak flow from one or two, the problem might be a break in your ductwork. Inspect the air ducts in your crawl space or attic. You should be able to easily see any breaks or cracks big enough to make a difference. Seal any cracks with foil tape (NOT duct tape; I know it's weird). For big breaks, you may have to call in a specialist.

Dirt, ice, and leaky ductwork are about the limit of broken air conditioning problems the average person can solve. If the unit still isn't working right and it isn't one of those three, contact a trained professional for a thorough system evaluation.

Whether or not your AC can be repaired boils down to a few things. First, what’s the severity of the problem? Was it just a dirty air filter throwing your system out of whack? If that’s the case, then yes, your AC can be fixed with a simple filter replacement. Maybe you’ve noticed a decline in your system’s performance and an increase in your power bills. If you have any common problems like noisy systems, irregular cycling, or unsteady airflow, it’ll depend on what’s causing the issue. This is where you’ll need an HVAC professional to come over and take a look at your system. Sometimes, simple parts replacements can get your system working properly again. But you need to remember: your system can only be as efficient as it’s rated at. Meaning, parts replacements won’t make it more efficient than it was out of the box. This is where you need to evaluate whether or not your system is up to efficiency standards. If you have an older model, it may be more cost-efficient in the long run to simply replace it rather than continuing to repair it.

If you’ve determined that your current air conditioner is unfixable or too inefficient, then it’s time to replace it. Some newer models are compatible with homeowner installation, like the MrCool DIY series. While a bit more expensive upfront, you save quite a bit on the price of installation (because you install it yourself!). Still, this isn’t a perfect solution for everyone. You’ll need to do an audit of what your current air conditioning system is. Do you have a split system? Is it ducted or ductless? You’re better off finding a replacement that matches your current infrastructure than choosing a system that would require you to modify your home. You’ll also want to consider the energy efficiency ratings. Spending a little more for an efficient system will save you more money over time. Regardless of what you choose, make sure you work with a professional to remove and replace your old AC unit. Air conditioners must be disposed of according to local regulations, and it’s significantly easier on you to let an HVAC professional take care of that.

Give the experts at IWAE a call if you’re in AC trouble. Our team of dedicated technicians can walk you through tricky troubleshooting, and our whole home experts can help you procure replacement parts or pick out a completely new air conditioning system. Give us a call at 270-575-9595 now to find a solution for your broken AC.