When your home’s AC has a problem in the middle of the summer, it’s beneficial to know the basic troubleshooting steps. However, there are only a handful of AC issues you can fix on your own without professional help. Your troubleshooting knowledge only needs to extend to the problems you can fix yourself. With that in mind, here’s how to troubleshoot an AC problem.
1. Check Your AC Power
If your AC won’t turn on, the first thing you need to do is take a look at your home’s circuit breaker panel. Look for the label that indicates which circuit serves your AC system. If that circuit is off, turn it back on. Doing so should return your AC to working order. If the circuit turns itself back off either immediately or soon after your AC starts running again, this can be an indication of a power problem. In that case, leave the circuit breaker alone and call a professional for help.
2. Check Your AC Air Filter
If your AC turns on but isn’t delivering the airflow it should, you should take a look at your AC air filter. Dirty or clogged air filters are a common problem that can cause a few different issues. A dirty filter can reduce the cold air coming from your vents or even cause your AC evaporator coil to freeze. If your filter appears dirty, replace it. You should notice that functions return to normal operation.
3. Check Your AC Condensate Drain Line
As long as your AC is working properly, it extracts moisture from your home’s indoor air. That moisture collects in a drip pan and drains away from your AC by way of a drain line. Take a look at the line to see if there are any leaks. This could indicate a clogged drain line or a damaged condensate pump.
If the condensate line connects to an existing drain line in your home, you won’t be able to check the line to see if water is flowing freely through it. In that case, you’d need to turn off your AC and open the system’s evaporator coil access door to look for signs of icing or water buildup in the drip pan. If you’re unable to or uncomfortable doing this yourself, you shouldn’t take any chances. Instead, call Real Time Bros Heating & Air Conditioning for help.
Turn to the AC Experts
If the steps above don’t solve the problem with your Garden Grove, CA, air conditioning system, the next step is to schedule an appointment with Real Time Bros Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve served the local community since 2017, offering expert HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services, as well as insulation, indoor air quality, and duct cleaning services. We also offer 24/7 emergency services for HVAC problems that need immediate attention.
