On a hot summer’s day in Cincinnati, it’s never fun to discover that your cooling system won’t turn on. The heat inside your home may feel overwhelming, especially if the fan on your cooling system isn’t running. Whether you rely on a heat pump, central air conditioning unit, or another mechanical cooling system, not having access to cool, dehumidified air can make it difficult to work, relax, or sleep inside your home, which is why it’s important to call for HVAC repairs.
If your cooling system fails to start, you could be having trouble with your thermostat, fan, pump, belt, or other internal cooling components, or even the electrical power supply. Use this convenient troubleshooting guide to help cooling to your home, so you can enjoy crisp, comfortable air even on warm summer days. If these steps don’t fix the problem, call for HVAC service right away to have a professional address any lingering issues with your cooling system.
Air conditioners and heat pumps are high-tech appliances that have many moving parts. When your system won’t turn on, there could be several issues preventing proper cooling, including the issues listed below. Check these things before calling for professional repairs.
If your air conditioner isn’t working, try a few simple DIY troubleshooting steps to see if you can fix the problem without a professional service call. Oftentimes, homeowners can get their heat pump or central air conditioning unit up and going by making a few simple changes, saving time and money. Remember, if your system still doesn’t start, you can give us a call here at Thomas & Galbraith, and we will send someone out to diagnose your system.
If your air conditioner isn’t powering on, the cause could be as simple as a switch not being turned on and your system not being able to receive power. Before you start serious troubleshooting measures, it’s a good idea to inspect all of the switches that control the power of your system to see if the unit is receiving the energy it needs to start a cooling cycle. Check these three areas for power issues:
Think of your thermostat as the brain of a working air conditioner. If your thermostat develops problems or is set incorrectly, it is unable to trigger the cooling response your system requires to generate cooling for your home. Here are a few thermostat settings you should check if your air conditioner doesn’t turn on.
Air conditioners rely on appropriate airflow to cool the air inside your home. While HVAC filters are designed to trap fine particulates and allergens, they can start to impede airflow when they get dirty enough, which can cause your air conditioner to overheat. When your air conditioner overheats, the system may shut down temporarily as a safety precaution. If you have ruled out thermostat setting problems, battery power issues, and electrical problems, check your HVAC filter to look for issues.
While it can be easy to overlook clogged HVAC filters, make a point to check them at least once every four weeks or so. Keeping clean filters in place not only protects your indoor air quality but allows your system to easily push cooled air throughout your home.
Air conditioners cool air by moving warm air over cooling coils, rapidly chilling the air. However, this process also causes condensation to collect on the coils, which can drip down into a pan beneath the cooling coils. The side of the condensate drip pan has a hole with a drainage tube attached, allowing the moisture to drain away from your HVAC system.
Sometimes, this drainage tube can become clogged, and water can build up inside the system. When water levels get high enough, they can trigger a float switch, which halts the air conditioner to prevent damage. Here are a few things to check to ensure that your air conditioning unit is draining appropriately.
Anytime your air conditioner stops responding appropriately to warm indoor temperatures, it’s important to check the system for simple issues like improper thermostat settings, irregular drainage, and lack of power. Make routine maintenance tasks like replacing HVAC filters simpler by keeping extras on hand.
Anytime your cooling system won’t turn on despite troubleshooting, the NATE-certified HVAC specialists here at Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling & Plumbing are available to help. Whether your system isn’t working properly because of a motor, fan, wiring problem, or other issue, our team can quickly and efficiently diagnose and resolve the problem.
We help homeowners every day during the summer with all kinds of air conditioning problems, ranging from cooling systems that won’t switch on to units that aren’t keeping homes cool and comfortable. Give us a call today to schedule a service call. We are happy to help you with your central air conditioner or heat pump.