AC Troubleshooting & Repair: A Homeowner's Guide

When your air conditioner starts showing signs of trouble, knowing when and how to repair your air conditioner can save you time and frustration. Discover the basics of AC troubleshooting and repair, including how to spot problems, how to handle minor issues yourself, and when you should call in the pros. Also learn how to keep your air conditioner running smoothly with preventive maintenance and what to do when faced with the decision to repair or replace your AC unit.

A Homeowner's Primer on Air Conditioner Repair

Knowing how your air conditioner works is the first step to understanding how to troubleshoot when problems occur. In the simplest terms, your AC evaporator removes warm, humid air from inside and transfers it to the condenser outside, where the warm air is released. This transfer is carried through the refrigerant pumped between the evaporator and condenser by the compressor. These components are part of what is referred to as the sealed system. The blower fan inside circulates air into the room and back into the evaporator, allowing the cycle to continue until the temperature you set at the wall thermostat is reached. If any of these components fail, your system won't cool your home effectively, or at all.

Common problems such as inadequate cooling can be caused by a dirty air filter. Routine maintenance, such as checking and cleaning your air filter regularly, can help your system work more efficiently and prevent minor issues from becoming major problems.

It’s a good idea to schedule a yearly tune-up with a professional HVAC technician, who can spot and fix small issues before they become big ones. This is the best way to keep your air conditioner operating as efficiently as possible.

DIY Tips for AC Troubleshooting

There are a few simple things you can do yourself to troubleshoot common air conditioner issues.

Start by making sure that your AC thermostat is set to Cool and that the set temperature is lower than the current room temperature.

What you do next depends on whether the air conditioner blows warm air or isn’t working at all.

When the Air Conditioner Blows Warm Air

One of these quick fixes might get your AC to blow cool air instead of warm air.

• See if the fan in the outside condenser is running. If not, reset the house circuit breaker and the outside circuit breaker for the condenser unit. The air conditioner should resume cooling when the outside condenser fan begins running.
• Replace the air filter if it’s dirty. A clogged air filter can block airflow, causing the evaporator to freeze up. A frozen evaporator won’t cool the air.
• Turn the thermostat to Off to shut off cooling, and turn the circulation fan on. After a few hours, turn the thermostat to Cool. The air conditioner may resume cooling if the evaporator defrosted while running the fan only.

The Air Conditioner Isn’t Working at All

When your AC unit is completely dead, try these DIY AC repair tips.

1. If your HVAC system has a flip switch—like a light switch—near the indoor blower, make sure the switch is in the On position.
2. Check the house circuit breakers for the air conditioner. Resetting a tripped circuit breaker may restore cooling.
3. Many air conditioners shut off if the condensate drain pipe clogs, and water doesn’t drain from the evaporator pan. A float switch beside the inside unit trips when drain water backs up in the drain pipe. Clear the clogged drain pipe to reset the float switch and restore cooling. Here’s a video that shows how:

If these basic AC troubleshooting steps don’t restore cooling to your home, schedule repair service online, and we’ll send a Sears Technician to your home to diagnose and fix the problem. Same-day and next-day service appointments are available in many areas.

How to Recognize When Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair

If you’re having problems with your air conditioner, it’s important to know the signs that indicate it might need professional attention. Here are three signs that your air conditioner needs repair:

1. Your vents are blowing warm air: If your air conditioner is blowing warm air instead of cool, it could be due to a refrigerant leak or a malfunctioning compressor.
2. Your air conditioner isn’t providing enough airflow: While a lack of airflow could be caused by a clogged air filter, the problem could be due to a faulty fan motor or problems with your ductwork.
3. Your air conditioner is cycling on and off frequently: This could be caused by a malfunctioning thermostat, an oversized unit, or a refrigerant leak.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s a good idea to call a professional. The skilled technicians at Sears Home Services can diagnose and fix any problems with your air conditioner. Don’t wait for a small problem to become a big one—schedule your AC repair service today.

Tips for Scheduling Air Conditioner Repair

Few of us schedule AC repair service often enough to know the drill, so these tips might make the process clearer.

• Schedule service with a provider that offers same-day or next-day service. Most reputable air conditioner repair companies have enough service technicians to offer quick service. Sears Home Services offers quick service in many areas.
• Schedule service online. Setting up service online can be quicker and easier than scheduling service over the phone.
• Most service companies offer service within a time window between 2 and 8 hours instead of at a specific time. Plan to be home within that time range to meet the technician for service.
• Many air conditioner repair providers charge a trip fee to have the technician visit your home and diagnose the air conditioner failure. Be prepared to agree to pay the trip fee when setting up service. You won’t have to pay the trip fee until the technician arrives at your home and begins diagnostic work.

What to Expect When the AC Repair Technician Arrives

Here are the basic steps the air conditioner repair technician goes through:

1. The technician examines your air conditioner and diagnoses why it isn’t cooling.
2. The technician discusses the diagnosis with you and provides an estimated cost for the repair. The technician also estimates how long the repair will take.
3. If you agree to have the technician complete the repair, the tech completes the work, verifies that the air conditioner works, and collects payment.
   If you’ve had your air conditioner for more than 10 years and/or repair parts are no longer available, the technician typically discusses air conditioner replacement with you.

When you need to replace your AC unit, schedule a consultation with a local HVAC expert who will visit your home and evaluate your needs, then recommend a replacement system that will be right for your home.

Trust Sears Home Services for all of your central air conditioner repair and maintenance needs. We have the experience and resources to help you keep your home comfortable all summer long.