AC Repair in Ames, IA: How to Repair 3 Common Problems

There can be several reasons why your central AC system won’t run: a tripped circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

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

To determine if one has blown, find your house’s main electrical panel. You can locate this gray device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

• Ensure your hands and feet are dry before you check the panel or breakers.
• Locate the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” location. If it’s tripped the lever will be in the middle of the panel or “off” spot.
• Quickly transfer the switch back to the “on” position. If it immediately triggers again, don’t reset it and get in touch with us at 515-450-8739. A fuse that keeps turning off could mean your residence has an electrical problem.

If your thermostat isn’t telling your system to run, it won’t turn on.

The first step is ensuring it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning may not turn on. Or you could receive. hot air coming from vents being the heat is going instead.

If you have a regular thermostat:

• Put in new batteries if the readout is blank. If the screen is displaying garbled letters, buy a new thermostat.
• Make sure the proper option is displaying. If you can’t update it, cancel it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if programming is wrong.
• Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is set the same as the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is calibrated properly, you should begin getting refreshing air quickly.

If you have a smart thermostat, such as one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If it still won’t work, contact us at 515-450-8739 for help.

If your equipment is on but not providing cold air, its airflow could be blocked. Or it might not have sufficient refrigerant.

Your equipment’s airflow can be decreased by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.

A filthy filter can lead to many problems, like:

• Limited cooling
• Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
• Intermittent cooling
• Higher energy costs
• Causing your system to stop working faster

We propose replacing flat filters monthly, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t remember when you last changed yours, turn off your AC completely and remove the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be located in a connected filter box or wall-mounted return air grille.

Hold the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see any light you should buy a new filter.

Greenery, plants and leaves can obstruct your condensing unit. This could reduce its airflow, make it less energy efficient and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your equipment operating well again.

1. Shut off the electrical current fully at the breaker or external switch.
2. Clear yard debris around the air conditioner. Once you’ve cleared bigger debris within a two-foot range, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to gingerly remove dirt from the condenser fins. Kinked fins can also affect efficiency, so you can attempt to adjust them with a small knife.
3. Use a hose nozzle to gingerly take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Make sure to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
4. Install the top again and turn the power back on.

When cooling units don’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from your rooms.

Here are several symptoms that your unit is seeping refrigerant:

1. It takes a long time to lower the temperature in your rooms and you’re constantly turning down the thermostat.
2. Air moving through the vents isn’t as cold as it should be.
3. You’re hearing hissing or burbling noises when the AC runs.
4. Your evaporator coil is frosted on account of having trouble absorbing heat.

Suspect your unit is losing refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service professional to fix the leak and restore the proper measurement of refrigerant in your system. Contact us at 515-450-8739 for help.

When it appears like you’re not receiving enough chilled air, there’s usually a blockage or disconnection somewhere in your air conditioning equipment.

• The initial place is looking at your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s dusty.
• Then check the registers are clear across your residence.
• If you’re still not getting sufficient chilly air, you should have your duct system inspected by a expert like Haselhoff Air Solutions. Your ducts may need to be serviced or relinked in tricky areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.