Your home or business HVAC system is essential to your comfort and wellbeing. Unfortunately, most McKinney, TX, homeowners experience problems with their air conditioning units from time to time. If your air conditioner won’t turn on, there are a number of steps that you can take to identify and solve the problem. Remember that some HVAC problems must be handled by a professional to ensure your safety and the integrity of your cooling system.
AC Won’t Turn On: Common Problems
Most modern air conditioners are designed to offer up to 10 to 20 years of reliable use. However, even the most reliable of air conditioners may stop cooling or suffer from problems from time to time. Remember that one of the best ways to prevent unexpected A/C problems is to have regular maintenance performed on your unit. If you cannot perform the maintenance yourself, hire a professional to do so. Spending money on maintenance now can save you from big repair bills in the future.
Some of the most common AC problems are listed below, and they may even be the reason why your air conditioning unit won’t kick on. Review this information so that you know how to best troubleshoot problems with your unit. Be sure to determine whether your unit has shut down entirely or whether only a part of your unit has shut down or isn’t working. Remember that it is always necessary to cut power off to your unit before inspecting it for wiring-related problems.
[button link=”/i-need-repair-maintenance” size=”medium” icon=”user” style=”gradient”]Learn More On A/C Repair[/button]
- The AC unit does not cool rooms evenly: Inspect your unit’s distribution channels. Make sure that the fan on your unit is kicking air into rooms or into your duct system.
- The AC unit turns on but doesn’t cool: If your unit turns on but doesn’t cool, check your thermostat to be sure that it is set at the correct temperature. You should then check the condenser and evaporator for dirt and clogging. If too much dirt builds up, your unit may not turn on at all.
- The condenser unit returns on and off repeatedly: Having a unit turn on and off repeatedly is extremely frustrating. In general, this problem is caused either by a dirty condenser and fan or a clogged condenser.
- The condenser unit won’t turn on: If your condenser unit won’t turn on at all, you may have a faulty motor or the unit may not be receiving power. Examine all wiring and ensure that the unit is plugged in.
Common Causes of Air Conditioner Problems
Common AC problems can be frustrating. However, there’s nothing more frustrating than when your air conditioner won’t turn on. Review the following common causes of serious AC problems. You will need to consult with a professional technician in order to address most of these problems.
- Wiring problems: Problems with the wiring in your unit or the wiring that runs from your unit to an outlet are one of the leading causes of air conditioner breakdowns. It’s a good idea to check the breakers in your house’s power box and adjacent outlets to ensure that the problem lies with the air conditioner and not other electrical components.
- Icy buildup: If ice collects of your condenser coils or other portions of your unit, the AC may not turn on or may not cool air efficiently. The unit must be dethawed and all ice must be removed before it will operate properly.
- Faulty motors: In most cases, your A/C unit will shut down entirely if its motor is faulty. You will need to decide if your motor can be repaired or if it must be replaced.
- Faulty compressors: Problems with your compressor may cause your A/C unit to shut down. Keeping your compressor clean can help to prevent these problems.
- Dirty evaporators, filters or condenser: Dirt and buildup in an A/C system is one of the leading causes of breakdowns. Be sure to have your unit serviced on a regular basis to prevent these problems. If your unit has filters, they should be changed according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
- Refrigerant shortages: If your A/C unit doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it may not turn on or may not operate correctly. You should always have a professional technician check refrigerant levels and change these fluids.
- Faulty thermostats: Be sure to eliminate the possibility that your unit won’t turn on because your thermostat is faulty. If you suspect that your thermostat is bad, try turning the A/C on from the main unit. If the unit will turn on manually, you are likely suffering from a thermostat problem.
Resolving Air Conditioner Problems: Repair or Replace?
How do you fix an AC unit that won’t start? If your air conditioner simply won’t turn on, you’ll need to decide if you should repair or replace the unit. Remember that units over 12 years old should generally be replaced with more efficient units. If the AC cuts on and off before your home is cool or your hvac unit won’t shut off, you may need a repair. However, you should carefully evaluate repair costs before making a final decision. If repairs will cost more than 50 percent of your unit’s overall value, it is better to replace the unit.
Solving air conditioner problems quickly is absolutely essential, especially in warm spring and summer months. At Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating, we focus on providing for the air conditioning needs for both residential and commercial customers throughout the McKinney, TX, area. We will be happy to help you whether your air conditioner won’t turn on or you are interested in having a new HVAC system installed. Ensuring your comfort is our top priority.
