Expert Troubleshooting Tips
Faulty AC equipment isn’t just a nuisance — it can pose significant safety risks for the most vulnerable members of your household, including infants, pets, and older family members.
Failure to turn on your air conditioning can have dire consequences, from heat stroke and dehydration to severe discomfort. Thankfully, the cooling experts at Wade Heating & Cooling have put together this list of the top five troubleshooting tips to try when your AC won’t turn on so you can regain cooling comfort quickly.
Replace the Air Filters
In some cases, your air conditioner may fail to turn on because its air filter has become too clogged or dirty. This is a system failsafe, as operating with a dirty filter can cause the unit to overheat as dust and debris prevent air from circulating properly.
Before contacting a professional for AC repair, be sure to replace your air filters to see if this restores proper functionality. We recommend changing your air filters at least once every 30 to 90 days (more often if you have pets or suffer allergies). If changing your air filters doesn’t resolve the issue, move on to the next troubleshooting tip.
Reset the Circuit Breaker
Air conditioners draw an immense amount of power, which sometimes causes the corresponding circuit breaker to trip. Especially during the summer months, when warm weather already adds strain to your electrical system, a tripped AC circuit breaker can be a common issue.
To resolve the problem, go to your electrical panel and identify the circuit breaker connected to your air conditioner. If it’s been tripped, reset the breaker to restore proper functionality. If it trips again soon after, there may be a greater electrical issue that needs professional attention.
Check the Thermostat Settings
Early on in the season, it’s common for families to lower the thermostat while forgetting to set it to the proper setting. Taking the time to ensure that your thermostat is set to the correct setting can save you on unnecessary service calls. Check your control panel and ensure that the thermostat is set to cooling mode before moving on to the next troubleshooting tip or calling for professional air conditioning repair.
Replace the Thermostat Batteries
Sometimes, an issue with your air conditioning system may actually lie within your thermostat. Dead batteries in your thermostat are a common cause of cooling system failures and are a problem that’s relatively easy to fix. Ensure your thermostat has fresh batteries, then set the temperature to the desired level. If your system kicks on, then the problem is solved. Otherwise, it may be time to contact a professional for same-day cooling repairs.
Reset Your AC System
A simple system reboot may be all your air conditioner needs to regain normal functionality. Resetting your AC system may be different depending on the type of unit you have in place. Refer to your manufacturer manual for guidance on how to reboot your system. If you have misplaced the manual or are unsure about its guidance, contact your AC installation specialist for personalized instructions on how to reset your system.
Schedule a Professional AC Inspection in Pittsburgh
If you’ve tried the troubleshooting techniques above and still can’t get your air conditioner to turn on, a bigger problem may be at play. Wade Heating & Cooling is here to deliver the same-day AC repair solutions you need to regain comfort quickly. No matter what may be wrong with your system, our team has the skills, tools, and expertise to diagnose and fix the problem.
Schedule an air conditioning inspection in Pittsburgh by contacting our team online or calling us today.
