Cincinnati Cooling Services

• Set the thermostat’s fan settings to ON to determine if your system has power.
• Reset electrical breakers at the panel if this test does not produce results or the thermostat is blank.

• Ensure registers and return air grilles throughout the house are unobstructed and blowing air.

• Does your thermostat use batteries? Some models have battery backup power even if they are connected to the home’s electrical system. Check to see that the thermostat is powered – if the display doesn’t work, change the unit’s batteries.

• Furnace filters need to be changed regularly. If it has been a while since you have installed a new filter, your current one could be clogged with contaminants, preventing cooling from reaching your home. Try installing a new filter.

• Is an air register blowing directly onto the thermostat?
• Have you checked your air filter for clogs or debris?
• If you’ve checked the above and still have a problem, you could have the wrong size unit installed, which requires professional help.

• Does your home have power, or is there an outage?
• Check each unit’s ON/OFF switch and make sure it is in the ON position.

• If lawn debris accumulates against the outside unit’s fins, it may not be able to draw in adequate airflow for operation. Clean away all sticks, grass clippings, leaves, and other debris, and keep at least two feet of space clear surrounding the unit.

• The temperature setting on your thermostat should be set lower than your home’s indoor temperature.
• Select COOL on your thermostat.

• Check all access panels on the outside of the unit to ensure none are loose – safety switches may prevent the unit from operating if access panels are not fully installed.
• Look at the drip pan to see if it is draining – a clog in the pan or the connected condensate lines may be stopping moisture from flowing out.

• Condensate lines can become blocked by dirt or debris. If you think your line might be blocked, blow compressed air through the pipe. This should dislodge any obstructions. Next pour a solution of half-bleach and half-water through the piping to treat for mold growth, which can obstruct the line.

• Check to see if your filter needs to be replaced. A dirty air filter can cause your system to freeze up due to dust and dirt blocking the airflow.
• If it’s not the filter, check the coils for dirt and check vents for obstructions.
• A broken air handler fan or a low refrigerant charge could also be the culprit, which requires professional correction.

An air handler is the part of an HVAC system that regulates and circulates air. The air handler is usually located indoors and looks like a large metal container. It houses a blower motor to circulate air as well as heating and/or cooling coils.

Air volume distributed through the cooling system.

The boot is composed of sheet metal and creates a transition between ductwork and the grille or register that allows air in or out of the duct system.

This term refers to refrigerant within your cooling system. Your technician may check your system’s charge to determine if it contains the proper volume of refrigerant to detect leaks.

Air conditioners contain two coils that assist in the transfer of heat: the indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor condenser coil.

The compressor is housed in the outside portion of your air conditioning system. It’s responsible for increasing refrigerant pressure and temperature before refrigerant reaches the condenser coils.

Air conditioners work by absorbing excess heat from the home and expelling it outdoors. Indoor coils extract heat as air blows over, and refrigerant transports heat through the system out to the compressor and condenser coils, where it is released into the outdoor air.

A fan coil unit heats or cools a room using a coil and a fan. Indoor air moves across the coil and is heated or cooled before being pushed back out into the room. It does not require connection to ductwork.

Sometimes called a ground source heat pump or GSHP, a geothermal heat pump extracts heat from the Earth and uses this energy to heat the home. It also uses the Earth as a receptacle to deposit excess heat during the cooling process.

The cover that fits over the return air vents in a home.

Heat pumps are a type of HVAC system that can heat and cool homes through the transfer of heat. Heat is transferred between indoor and outdoor air to achieve comfortable temperatures within the home.

Refrigerant is a chemical used in air conditioners that changes form as it moves through the air conditioner to move heat. You may have heard it referred to as freon. Air conditioners in most homes use either R-22, which began a phase-out in 2010, or R-410A, which is more environmentally friendly.

A split system air conditioner has a box with the condensing unit located outside the home and another box inside the home that has the air handler and evaporator coil. The two units are connected with refrigerant lines running between the equipment.

Zoning is a way of controlling the temperature in different rooms in a home separately. It’s usually done using separate controls for each space and dampers within the ductwork that control air flow to the zone.

The most common problems an air conditioner will experience: AC doesn’t turn on, not blowing cold air, AC leak, making loud noises, and your AC freezing up outside the unit.

There are many issues that could prevent your air conditioner from working correctly. One issue could be that you have a blocked or clogged condenser coil.

Most air conditioning units will last 12-20 years, depending on the type of system and how well-kept the system is.

It is recommended to increase the set point of your thermostat when you are away. We do not recommend turning off the unit entirely as it will take a significant amount of energy to bring the home back down to temperature and can introduce problems for appliances and furniture if the temperature and humidity get too high.

Dirty filters will cause poor cold air flow in your air conditioning system. This can cause more severe problems, such as your air conditioner freezing up and becoming inoperable.

Usually, this happens because the compressor/outside unit has a problem, or your AC is low on refrigerant.

Loud noises from your air conditioner can indicate that something is seriously wrong with your unit. The first thing you should do is turn off the system and call a professional to diagnose the problem.

Before resetting your air conditioner, you should turn off your AC at your thermostat. Once the unit is turned off, go to your circuit breaker box and reset the air conditioner from there. Wait 30 minutes, then turn the thermostat for your AC back to the cool setting.

Signs that your AC unit is broken include uncomfortable temperatures inside your home, vents pumping warm air, and loud noises coming from your air conditioner.

For your air conditioning unit to run efficiently and effectively, regular maintenance is required. Preventative maintenance keeps your unit healthy and helps prevent larger issues from happening.

It’s recommended that you should clean your air conditioning coils at least once a year.

More advanced systems may run longer but at a lower energy level to increase the efficiency of the unit and comfort of the home.

SEER ratings measure the maximum energy efficiency over the range of expected seasonal temperatures. In general, good SEER values range from 14 to 16 for air conditioning units. These are most common. There are more efficient units available to decrease the energy costs of your home.