Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Long Island, New York, can appear like a lot of hassle.

There’s a better way. There are several quick remedies you can attempt by yourself that might help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, try this checklist before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like Airmax Long Island.

Our experts are standing by at 631-737-5566 when you need expert service. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.

If you want to get an up to date air conditioner, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re in contact with us, contemplate a yearly AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of future malfunctions. We can advise how often you need air conditioner service.

Ready to get started troubleshooting your system? Try our fast tips below. Many of these procedures don’t require any HVAC knowledge.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be a couple of reasons why your AC equipment won’t run: an overloaded circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Your system won’t start when you have an overloaded breaker.

To check if one has tripped, locate your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this metallic device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Confirm your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
  • Find the breaker labeled “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s tripped the lever will be in the middle of the panel or “off” spot.
  • Steadily move the switch back to the “on” location. If it instantaneously trips again, leave it alone and contact us at 631-737-5566. A breaker that keeps flipping may signal your residence has electrical trouble.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your air conditioner to work, it won’t activate.

The key part is checking it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not turn on. Or you could get. warm air blowing from vents since the furnace is on instead.

If you rely on a traditional thermostat:

  • Put in new batteries if the readout is clear. If the screen is presenting scrambled letters, buy a new thermostat.
  • Ensure the right setting is on the display. If you can’t alter it, cancel it by dropping the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if programming is incorrect.
  • Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat matches the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted correctly, you should begin getting cool air quickly.

If you have a smart thermostat, like one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you’re still having problems, reach us at 631-737-5566 for support.

Shut-Off Switch

Your cooling equipment probably has a shut-off switch around its condenser. This lever is typically in a metal box mounted on your house. If your air conditioner has recently been tuned up, the switch may have unintentionally been positioned in the “off” position.

Blocked Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans keep the additional water your equipment removes from the air. This pan can be found either beneath or inside your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a blockage or clogged drain, water can build up and prompt a safety control to turn off your equipment.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the extra liquid with a formulated pan-cleaning tablet. You can purchase these tabs at a home improvement or hardware store.

If your pan includes a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you might have to install a new pump. Contact us at 631-737-5566 for assistance.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your air conditioner is on but not delivering cold air, its airflow could be clogged. Or it could not have enough refrigerant.

Blocked Airflow

Your equipment’s airflow can be reduced by a blocked air filter or dusty condenser.

How to Change Your Air Filter

A filthy filter can cause countless problems, like:

  • Limited comfort
  • Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Larger energy bills
  • Leading your system to break down faster

We recommend changing flat filters every four weeks, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t recall when you last changed yours, shut off your AC fully and pull out the filter. You can locate the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be found in an attached filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Hold the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see any light you need to get a new one.

4 Steps to Cleaning Your AC System

Brush, plants and shrubbery can get in the way of your condensing equipment. This can limit its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your unit operating smoothly again.

  1. Switch off the electrical current totally at the breaker or outside lever.
  2. Clear greenery waste around the unit. Once you’ve cleared bigger refuse within a two-foot radius, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the condenser fins. Misshapen fins can also affect efficiency, so you can attempt to straighten them with a blunt knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to gingerly take off dirt on the fins from inside the equipment. Be careful to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
  4. Put the top back on and turn the power back on.

Low Refrigerant Levels

When cooling systems don’t have enough refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your house.

Here are a couple of indications that your unit is seeping refrigerant:

  1. It takes an extended amount of time to refresh your space and you’re regularly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
  2. Air conditioning coming through the registers isn’t as chilled as it should be.
  3. You’re experiencing whistling or burbling sounds when the AC works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frosted because it’s having trouble taking on heat.

Suspect your equipment is losing refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service specialist to fix the leak and refill the correct level of refrigerant in your unit. Get in touch with us at 631-737-5566 for assistance.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it appears like you’re not receiving ample amounts of cold air, there’s likely an obstruction or disconnection within your air conditioning equipment.

  • The first stage is examining your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s soiled.
  • Then check the vents are clear around your house.
  • If you’re still not experiencing enough chilly air, you should have your duct system checked by a expert like Airmax Long Island. Your ductwork may need to be serviced or reconnected in tricky areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Pro Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you require air conditioning service quickly, contact the HVAC repair experts at Airmax Long Island at 631-737-5566. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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