How to Troubleshoot Your Air Conditioning Unit

July 12, 2021

During the scorching hot summer months, many of us rely on our home air conditioning units to keep us nice and cool. Unfortunately, from time to time, you can experience issues with your air conditioning system. One of the most common is when your air conditioner doesn't blow cool air. Many don't realize this until their air conditioner runs non-stop for days on end and their electricity bill is through the roof.

Troubleshooting Your System

If your air conditioning unit isn't blowing cold air into your home, it could be a number of different issues. One of the most common is a faulty thermostat. If your thermostat screen is blank, it could be a result of a couple of different culprits.

First, the batteries may be dead and need to be replaced. If that doesn't work, it's best to check the circuit breaker as it may have become tripped. If new batteries don't work and the breaker isn't tripped, you may need to replace your thermostat. It's always best to call in a professional to troubleshoot your system and ensure that the thermostat is the root cause of the issue.

Troubleshooting Frozen Evaporator Coils

While many homeowners are under the assumption that frozen evaporator coils should mean that their system is blowing cold air, that's actually not the case. When the evaporator coils become frozen, they impede the ability of the refrigerant inside of the evaporator coils to remove heat from the air inside of your home. As a result, your air conditioner will circulate hot air.

To troubleshoot this issue, you'll need to look at your air filter. It's common for a clogged air filter to cause a frozen evaporator coil. Take a moment and check your air conditioner filter. If you can't see through it, it's time to replace it. Turn your air conditioner off for about an hour to let the coils unfreeze, and then you can start running it as usual.

Potential Wiring Issues

Although your thermostat is the likely cause of your air conditioning problem, there are cases where it may not be. A lot of electrical wiring works to connect your thermostat to your air conditioning and heating units. When this wiring shorts out, it can create chaos with your cooling function.

Wiring can short out for a variety of reasons. Water damage and rodent damage tend to be the most popular culprits. If you've found signs of water leakage in your system or a rodent invasion, it's best to call in a professional to take over the troubleshooting.

Why Is My Heater Running On The Cool Function?

You may feel hot air out of your vents because the furnace is actually running. This typically happens when there is a wiring issue with your system. The thermostat's signal to your home's HVAC system may be blocked, which can cause the furnace to kick on by default, even though the thermostat is set on the cooling function. You'll need to contact a pro to get assistance with this particular issue.

Call Us Today

If you need help with your home air conditioning system, then it's time to give us a call. Our friendly and knowledgeable experts at Master Mechanical can assess the issue, identify the culprit, and perform the necessary repairs to get your system back up and running in no time.