Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Bend, Oregon, can appear like a lot of hassle.

There’s a better way. There are several quick remedies you can attempt by yourself that might help you get out of an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, try this checklist before calling a heating and cooling repair professional like Tri County Climate Control LLC.

Our experts are standing by at 541-238-2797 when you need expert service. We have emergency AC repair and work on most brands of central AC equipment.

If you want to get an up to date air conditioner, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re in contact with us, contemplate a yearly AC maintenance plan that may help you keep clear of future malfunctions. We can advise how often you need air conditioner service.

Ready to get started troubleshooting your system? Try our fast tips below. Many of these procedures don’t require any HVAC knowledge.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist

1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be several explanations why your central AC system won’t work: a tripped circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

Blown Circuit Breaker

Your system won’t start when you have a blown breaker.

To see if one has blown, find your residence’s main electrical panel. You can find this metallic device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Make sure your hands and feet are dry before you work on the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and ensure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s overloaded the switch will be in the middle or “off” position.
  • Firmly shift the breaker back to the “on” spot. If it instantaneously flips again, don’t reset it and call us at 541-238-2797. A breaker that keeps turning off could signal your residence has electrical trouble.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t telling your equipment to run, it won’t switch on.

The main part is making sure it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not start running. Or you might have. heated air coming from vents since the furnace is running instead.

If you have a regular thermostat:

  • Swap out the batteries if the screen is blank. If the readout is presenting scrambled letters, buy a new thermostat.
  • Check the correct program is showing. If you can’t change it, override it by decreasing the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if programming is wrong.
  • Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees below the space’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is set the same as the house’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is set properly, you should begin getting chilled air fast.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, such as one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If it still won’t work, reach us at 541-238-2797 for assistance.

Shut-Down Switch

Your AC usually has a shut-off switch around its outside unit. This device is generally in a metal box hung on your residence. If your equipment has recently been repaired, the device may have unintentionally been placed in the “off” position.

Overflowing Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans catch the surplus water your air conditioner removes from the air. This pan can be found either beneath or in your furnace or air handler.

When there’s an obstruction or backed up drain, water can build up and trigger a safety control to turn off your equipment.

If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the surplus liquid with a custom pan-cleaning tablet. You can purchase these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan involves a pump, look for the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you may need to get a new pump. Reach us at 541-238-2797 for help.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your equipment is going but not cooling, its airflow could be clogged. Or it could not have adequate refrigerant.

Obstructed Airflow

Your unit’s airflow can be restricted by a blocked air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Change Your Air Filter

A dirty filter can cause numerous troubles, including:

  • Limited cooling
  • Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Bigger utility expenses
  • Leading your system to stop working faster

We propose installing new flat filters monthly, and pleated filters every three months.

If you aren’t sure when you last changed yours, switch off your equipment totally and remove the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be found in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to the sunshine. If you can’t see through it you need to buy a new filter.

4 Steps to Cleaning Your Cooling Unit

Greenery, plants and sticks can get in the way of your condensing unit. This can restrict its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your system operating properly again.

  1. Switch off electricity completely at the breaker or outside switch.
  2. Clear vegetation waste around the unit. Once you’ve gotten rid of all the refuse within a two-foot area, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to carefully remove dust from the condenser fins. Misshapen fins can also affect effectiveness, so you can attempt to straighten them with a blunt knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to carefully remove gunk off the fins from inside the equipment. Don’t get liquid on the fan motor.
  4. Install the top again and turn the power back on.

Low Refrigerant Levels

When AC equipment doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from your space.

Here are several signs that your unit is leaking refrigerant:

  1. It takes a long time to cool your rooms and you’re constantly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
  2. Cooling blowing through the vents isn’t as chilly as it should be.
  3. You’re experiencing fizzing or bubbling racket when the air conditioning works.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frozen due to having an issue taking on heat.

Worried your unit is seeping refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service expert to take care of the leak and restore the proper amount of refrigerant in your system. Call us at 541-238-2797 for help.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it appears like you’re not having ample amounts of chilled air, there’s potentially a clog or detachment somewhere in your cooling system.

  • The initial step is looking at your air filter. Get a new one if it’s filthy.
  • Then check the registers are free throughout your rooms.
  • If you’re still not experiencing enough chilly air, you should have your ducts examined by a expert like Tri County Climate Control LLC. Your ducts might need to be fixed or rejoined in difficult spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Pro Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you require air conditioning service quickly, contact the HVAC repair experts at Tri County Climate Control LLC at 541-238-2797. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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