Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Kearney, Nebraska, 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 Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our experts are standing by at 308-624-3485 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 air conditioning won’t start: a blown circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

Blown Circuit Breaker

Your system won’t start when you have a tripped breaker.

To see if one has blown, find your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this metallic box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Ensure your hands and feet are dry before you touch the panel or breakers.
  • Locate the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” location. If it’s triggered the lever will be in the in between or “off” position.
  • Firmly move the lever back to the “on” spot. If it instantaneously trips again, don’t reset it and get in touch with us at 308-624-3485. A switch that keeps tripping might signal your house has electrical trouble.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your equipment to run, it won’t activate.

The most important part is ensuring it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning may not start running. Or you might get. hot air blowing from vents since the furnace is running instead.

If you have a regular thermostat:

  • Put in new batteries if the readout is empty. If the monitor is displaying scrambled characters, replace the thermostat.
  • Check the correct mode is showing. If you can’t update it, override it by decreasing the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if programming is incorrect.
  • Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat matches the space’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted correctly, you should begin getting refreshing air promptly.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, such as one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, look at the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at 308-624-3485 for assistance.

Shut-Down Switch

Your AC usually has a shut-off switch near its outdoor unit. This device is commonly in a metal box mounted on your house. If your air conditioner has recently been serviced, the switch may have accidentally been placed in the “off” setting.

Clogged Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans hold the surplus liquid your air conditioner removes from the air. This pan can be situated either below or inside your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a blockage or blocked drain, water can build up and prompt a safety feature to switch off your unit.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus condensation with a formulated pan-cleaning capsule. You can get these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan involves a pump, find the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you might have to get a new pump. Reach us at 308-624-3485 for assistance.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your AC is going but not cooling, its airflow could be blocked. Or it could not have adequate refrigerant.

Obstructed Airflow

Your equipment’s airflow can be limited by a clogged air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Change Your Air Filter

A dusty filter can create many problems, including:

  • Reduced airflow
  • Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Bigger cooling costs
  • Making your system wear out more quickly

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

If you aren’t sure when you last changed yours, turn off your system completely and pull out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be located in a connected filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust you need to get a new one.

How to Clean Your Air Conditioning Unit

Weeds, vegetation and bushes can obstruct your condensing equipment. This could restrict its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s how you can get your equipment working properly again.

  1. Turn off electricity fully at the breaker or outdoor lever.
  2. Get rid of yard rubbish around the unit. Once you’ve gotten rid of bigger clutter within a two-foot area, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to carefully clean the equipment’s fins. Distorted fins can also impact capability, so you can attempt to reshape them with a blunt knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to gingerly take off dirt on the fins from inside the unit. Don’t get water on the fan motor.
  4. Replace the top and restore the power.

Leaking Refrigerant

When AC equipment doesn’t have enough refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your residence.

Here are several indications that your unit is seeping refrigerant:

  1. It takes an extended amount of time to refresh your house and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
  2. Air conditioning coming through the ducts isn’t as cold as it should be.
  3. You’re hearing hissing or gurgling racket when the air conditioning runs.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frozen on account of having an issue absorbing warmth.

Suspect your unit is leaking refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service professional to repair the leak and replenish the right amount of refrigerant in your system. Reach us at 308-624-3485 for support.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it appears like you’re not receiving enough chilled air, there’s usually a blockage or detachment within your cooling unit.

  • The beginning stage is checking your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s dirty.
  • Then make sure the vents are open across your house.
  • If you’re still not receiving adequate cold air, you should have your ductwork inspected by a expert like Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning. Your duct system might need to be repaired or relinked in limited space 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 Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning at 308-624-3485. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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