If you’re having difficulties with your air conditioner, you’re not alone. Many people have trouble with their air conditioner running properly, and there are some common reasons that an air conditioner just won’t turn on. We’ll go through some of the main reasons why, and what you can do to fix it in a pinch.
#1 You tripped a circuit breaker
Air conditioners cause a lot of draw on our electrical grids, including the electrical systems in our homes. Our homes are designed to protect us in case of an overload of draw or demand. If your air conditioner just turned off and won’t turn back on, it’s possible that you tripped a breaker. Take a visit to your electrical box and flip your breakers. Sometimes, this may solve your problem. However, if you keep tripping a circuit breaker over and over, you may want to buy an updated air conditioner that uses less electricity, or run fewer items that will overload your home’s electrical system.
#2 The thermostat is set incorrectly
It sounds silly, but if your thermostat got set to just “fan” or a higher temperature than you want, your AC may not turn on. It doesn’t harm to double check your AC’s thermostat for the correct setting!
#3 Your air filter is clogged up
If it’s been a while since you’ve changed out or washed out your air filter, it may be time to check it. A clogged air filter is like holding a hand over your mouth and nose — your air conditioner won’t be able to breathe! Sometimes this can cause your AC to not turn on. Clean it out or replace it, then try again.
#4 Check your air conditioner’s drain pan
This is more true of built in air conditioners than of window units. Check to see if the drain lines are clear and are not clogged. If water fails to drain out of the unit, sometimes that can cause a trip that will keep your air conditioner from running.
#5 Your air conditioner is broken
You probably thought this when it wouldn’t turn on, but it’s possible your air conditioner could be broken in a number of ways. The motor could have given out, or you could have a refrigerant leak. Additionally, you could have any number of internal components that have been damaged, gone bad, or given out on you. If you’ve tried all of the troubleshooting steps above, it may be best to call a professional like Home Air Plus Inc to come out and service your unit, so we can get your home back to cool in no time!
