AC Repair in New Castle, PA: How to Repair 3 Frequent Problems

There can be several reasons why your air conditioning won’t run: a triggered circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

Your cooling won’t turn on when you have an overloaded breaker.

To find out if one has blown, find your house’s main electrical panel. You can find this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

• Confirm your hands and feet aren’t wet before you touch the panel or breakers.
• Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” position. If it’s tripped the lever will be in the middle of the panel or “off” spot.
• Steadily move the lever back to the “on” spot. If it instantly trips again, leave it alone and call us at 724-401-1843. A breaker that keeps turning off could signal your house has electrical trouble.

If your thermostat isn’t telling your AC to run, it won’t turn on.

The first step is ensuring it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC will probably not turn on. Or you may get. heated air moving from vents because the furnace is on instead.

If you have a regular thermostat:

• Replace the batteries if the screen is clear. If the readout is displaying jumbled characters, get a new thermostat.
• Ensure the correct program is displaying. If you can’t change it, cancel it by lowering the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if scheduling is incorrect.
• Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees below the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat matches the house’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is set correctly, you should begin getting refreshing air fast.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, like one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for help. If it still won’t work, contact us at 724-401-1843 for support.

Your system typically has a shut-down switch around its condenser. This switch is generally in a metal box mounted on your house. If your air conditioner has recently been repaired, the device may have unintentionally been put in the “off” location.

Condensate drain pans catch the extra water your equipment takes out of the air. This pan can be situated either below or within your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a blockage or backed up drain, water can become concentrated and initiate a safety setting to turn off your unit.

If your pan includes a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the surplus condensation with a custom pan-cleaning tablet. You can buy these tabs at a home improvement or hardware store.

If your pan involves a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you may need to install a new pump. Contact us at 724-401-1843 for help.

If your equipment is working but not cooling, its airflow may be obstructed. Or it could not have enough refrigerant.

Your system’s airflow can be limited by a blocked air filter or dirty condenser.

A dusty filter can lead to a lot of problems, such as:

• Lower cooling
• Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
• Uneven cooling
• Bigger cooling expenses
• Causing your system to stop working more quickly

We recommend changing flat filters every four weeks, and creased filters every three months.

If you aren’t sure when you last replaced yours, turn off your equipment fully and remove the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be located in an adjoining filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Tilt the filter up to the light. If you see a lot of dust you need to replace it.

Brush, grass and sticks can get in the way of your condensing unit. This can restrict its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system operating well again.

1. Switch off the electrical current totally at the breaker or outdoor device.
2. Remove plant waste around the equipment. Once you’ve gotten rid of larger refuse within a two-foot radius, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the condenser fins. Warped fins can also hurt efficiency, so you can attempt to adjust them with a blunt knife.
3. Use a hose nozzle to carefully remove gunk off the fins from inside the system. Make sure to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
4. Install the top again and turn the power back on.

When air conditioning systems don’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from the air.

Here are several signs that your unit is leaking refrigerant:

1. It takes too long to lower the temperature in your residence and you’re constantly turning down the thermostat.
2. Air blowing through the ducts isn’t as chilly as it should be.
3. You’re noticing whistling or bubbling sounds when cooling works.
4. Your evaporator coil is icy due to having trouble absorbing humidity.

Worried your equipment is seeping refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service expert to repair the leak and restore the correct amount of refrigerant in your unit. Contact us at 724-401-1843 for help.

When it appears like you’re not receiving adequate amounts of cool air, there’s usually a clog or detachment inside your AC equipment.

• The initial step is checking your air filter. Replace it if it’s filthy.
• Then ensure the vents are clear throughout your rooms.
• If you’re still not getting ample cold air, you should have your ducts checked by a specialist like Central Heating & Plumbing. Your duct system could need to be serviced or relinked in difficult spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.