Why Is My AC Not Turning On?
Even though most of us are moving into the cold winter months, several parts of the country still rely on their air conditioning unit to provide them with cold air. Unfortunately, when those people turn on their unit, it doesn't always start, which can cause major headaches and confusion as they contact an HVAC contractor to schedule an air conditioning repair service.
Before you do that, it's worth investigating the options below to see if you can get your unit to start on your own. However, if you're uncomfortable or incapable of doing any of them, an HVAC technician will be more than happy to assist you.
Check the Thermostat
It may sound silly, but many homeowners call an HVAC company to schedule an air conditioner repair, only to find out that their thermostat has been turned on. These units can last anywhere from 7 to 15 years on average, so if it's malfunctioning or has failed completely, you should have it replaced. These days, you can even have a smart thermostat that you can control with your phone, so upgrading it may make your life more convenient in the process.
Check the Breaker Box
Your home's electrical grid is laid out by location. Every area of your home has its own electrical circuit, which can flip the switch in your breaker box if a power surge or electrical spike runs through it. These units then shut off the power to that area to prevent an electrical fire. Unfortunately, even running an extra appliance on your home's power circuit can cause that specific part of the grid to be overloaded and then trip the breaker, so simply removing the extra load and turning the switch back on to restore the power to your AC unit should be enough to get your AC going again. If it keeps tripping though, contact an HVAC company to have a look at it, as it can be an indication of a larger electrical problem.
Check Your Air Filter
Since your HVAC system is responsible for regulating the airflow throughout your home, your air filter is in charge of making sure that contaminants stay out of your ductwork and out of your AC unit. Most experts agree that they should be changed every 3 to 6 months; failure to do so can result in your AC unit being choked and stop functioning altogether. If you haven't changed your air filter, do so and see if your AC unit turns back on. If it doesn't, you'll need an HVAC technician to take a look at it and perform any necessary AC repairs.
Check Your Power Source
If all the above sources fail, the next step is to check your connection point between your AC unit and your home's energy source. Whether your home runs on electricity or gas, this part can be somewhat tricky, so it's a good idea to have a professional look at it instead. Moreover, if your home runs on gas, working on a gas line may actually be illegal, so that's another reason to have a professional air conditioning repair service performed.
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