The air conditioner is one of the home appliances we can't live without. This is especially true during the summer when the sun is set on roasting us alive.
So what are you supposed to do when your air conditioner won't turn on? First of all, don't panic!
You may be able to fix the problem on your own (without spending any money, either). But that's not always true. We've put together this guide to show you the most common reasons your air conditioner isn't working, how to fix the problems, and when to call a professional instead. Make sure you keep reading to learn more!
1. The Filter Is Clogged
Have you changed your air conditioner's filter recently? If not, this could be the culprit. Dome air conditioners will turn themselves off if the filter gets too dirty and clogged. After this, they won't turn back on until you replace the filter.
Take a look at your filter. You can try cleaning it out if it is a hot day and you don't have a new filter on hand. This might be enough to get the air conditioner working again.
However, this isn't a long term solution. You should replace your unit's filter every three months (and maybe even more frequently if you have pets or if someone in your family has allergies). Doing this will also ensure the air quality in your home stays good and clean.
2. The Breaker Tripped
Your air conditioner might not be turning on because it doesn't have any power. Go take a look at your circuit breaker and see if it has tripped. If so, it won't send any power to your unit even if it's plugged in.
Try flipping the breaker back on and see if the air conditioner starts working. In some cases, the circuit breaker might flip back off again when you start running the air conditioner. In this case, you shouldn't keep trying to flip the breaker over and over again.
If it keeps tripping, there's something wrong. Fighting with the breaker to get your air conditioner working might cause a bigger problem. There might be something wrong with the electrical system in your unit, which can turn into a dangerous hazard if you keep messing with it.
Because of this, you should get in touch with a professional HVAC technician and have them take a look at your unit.
3. The Outdoor Unit Is Dirty
If you have an outdoor air conditioning unit, you should step outside and spend some time examining it. Debris, such as leaves, dirt, twigs, rocks, etc., may have gotten into your unit and created a clog or blockage around the condenser fan.
You may be able to clear out this debris yourself, but make sure the unit is turned off!
Even though your unit won't turn on, you should unplug it from the wall or turn off the breaker. This will ensure it doesn't somehow turn on and injure you during the middle of your cleaning.
If the air conditioner still doesn't turn on after your remove the debris, there might be stuff farther inside the unit. In this case, you'll need to hire a professional to do a more in-depth cleaning. It's also a good idea to keep any trees, bushes, or other plants trimmed back and away from your unit.
4. The Thermostat Is Too High
Your thermostat might not be sending the right signals to your air conditioning unit, which might be the reason it won't turn on.
Check the temperature on your thermostat. If it's too high, your air conditioner won't start running. You can adjust the temperature to get it to start working again.
If that still doesn't fix the problem, your thermostat might be broken. You can try buying a new one and replacing it to see if it fixes the issue.
However, you might not want to spend the money if you don't know for sure what the problem is. In this case, it might be better to have a professional take a look at it first.
5. It Doesn't Have Any Power
This might seem obvious, but it's also easy to overlook. Always double-check that your air conditioner is plugged into an outlet. Otherwise, you'll feel pretty silly (and end up wasting some money) when the professional technician does it for you!
6. Other Technical Problems
If you can't find anything else wrong with your air conditioner, there might be something broken inside the system. For example, the transformer or contractor might not be working right, which can prevent your system from turning on at all.
These aren't things you should try to repair or diagnose on your own. If you don't know your way around an air conditioner, you might end up hurting yourself or making the problem worse.
What to Do If Your Air Conditioner Won't Turn On
When your air conditioner won't turn on, you should try following the tips in this guide before calling a professional technician. You might be able to fix the problem without having to spend any money.
However, you should never put saving money over safety. Never try to repair the inside of the system or fix the electrical components on your own. These can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Hire a professional instead. Not sure who to call? We can help! Don't hesitate to reach out to us today!
