Why Isn’t My Air Conditioner Working?

It’s one of the worst feelings in the world: you turned on your AC in Tempe, but nothing is cooling down. Maybe the unit didn’t even turn on, or it did but you’re still too hot and it’s not getting cooler.

No matter what is going on, we can get to the bottom of it. Here are some of the most common AC problems we see. You can even fix some of these yourself! If it turns out that you need AC repair in Tempe or if you have any questions at all, please reach out to the Tempe air conditioning experts at Peterson Air Care!

1) Your Air Vents are Blocked

Find your air supply and return vents in your house. If you have to move furniture, curtains, or anything else to get to them, chances are good that they aren’t working as efficiently as they could. You should also make sure that they aren’t blocked by too much dust and debris. This can make it too hard for your system to pull in the air it needs and push it throughout your home.

2) Your Circuit Breaker Flipped

If your unit won’t turn on at all, check the circuit breaker before you check anything else. If it has flipped, flip it back. Watch the unit and see if it happens again. If it does, you should bring in an AC pro. If it doesn’t, you experienced a one-time system fluke that you likely don’t need to worry about anymore.

3) Your Air Filter is Clogged

Most people don’t realize that their air filter is actually a key part of their AC system. If it gets too dirty, the system can’t get the air it needs to distribute throughout the house. This can make the system work sluggishly. Some systems will simply turn off until you replace the filter with a new one. Be proactive and replace filters every 1-3 months to avoid issues; this is an important part of AC maintenance you can do yourself!

4) Your Outdoor Unit is Dirty

If dust and debris have collected inside your AC unit, it won’t be able to cool well. You can gently spray off the condenser coils with a hose on a light setting. They also make specific tools for this job that you can buy at any hardware store. Cleaning the coils should make a big difference in how well your AC cools.

5) Your Thermostat Is the Problem

Sometimes, your AC won’t work because of an issue at the thermostat. Make sure it is currently set up to cool and that the temperature setting is appropriate for where you want it. You should also check to see if any of the programming was changed recently. Thermostat issues are common in homes with small children who like to push buttons and when changing from heating to cooling in the spring.

Help from Tempe Air Conditioning Pros

If you need help getting your AC working again, call us at Peterson Air Care and Home Services today. We’ll be there soon and have your cold air back on ASAP!