There are two separate pieces of your AC system, the condenser, which cools the air and is usually outside, and the air handler, which moves the air around your house and is usually inside. First, make sure that any power switches on or around the units are switched on. Then check your breaker box to make sure that neither has thrown a breaker and that both circuits are receiving power. If you have your thermostat set to “auto,” it’s possible the thermostat is misreading the temperature and thus not turning the system on when it should. Try switching the fan from “auto” to “on.”
MAKE SURE THE AIR HANDLER IS ON AND PLUGGED IN
Is the air handler on? If the compressor outside your home is running but the air handler isn’t, you may be cooling air that isn’t going anywhere. If you don’t hear the air handler running, double-check that it is on and receiving power. Is there a switch on or near the unit that has been accidentally turned off? Next, check your breaker box to make sure that the breaker hasn’t been thrown.
If neither of these things gets your air handler running, then it’s likely to be an issue with your condensate pump switch. If you’re a DIY type of person, this is something you may be able to fix with some online research, but in many cases, this is best left to a professional.
LISTEN TO YOUR AIR HANDLER
With your system running, put your hand in front of the air registers (the vents on your floors, walls or ceiling that supply conditioned air). Do you feel air being blown? If it’s completely stagnant, with no airflow at all, it’s likely you have a problem with your air handler (blower). When was the last time your filter was changed? Double-check your filter and the condition of your indoor unit.
IS YOUR AC BLOWING AIR THAT ISN’T COOL?
Reduce your thermostat temperature 5-10 degrees, so that it’s much colder than the current house temperature. Is your thermostat set to cool and is below your house’s set point? When you put your hand in front of the register, does the air feel cold to the touch? If the AC is blowing, but not cooling the air at all, then it is likely that you have a problem with your outdoor condenser. Double-check that the fan and compressor are running.
IS YOUR AC JUST NOT COOLING YOUR HOUSE ENOUGH?
Set your thermostat for two degrees colder than the current setpoint and allow the system to run for 90 minutes. Has the temperature in the home decreased (even by one degree)? Depending on the current outdoor temperature it may take over an hour of run time to decrease the indoor temperature by one degree. Be patient! If the thermostat set point does not change in 90 minutes of run time double-check both the indoor and outdoor unit operation. Be aware these systems have designed parameters — Residential air conditioning systems are designed and sized to maintain 75 degrees (indoors) on a 95-degree day. Are your expectations reasonable for what temperature you are hoping to achieve?
Contact us
If you have an upcoming HVAC project, join hands with a licensed and insured contractor at East Coast Mechanical. Email: ecmcecmc@aol.com Address: 5133 W Hurley Pond Rd Suite A, Wall Township, NJ 07727 Hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Phone: 800-300-ECMC or 732-751-8877