Troubleshooting and doing your own AC repair in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 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 I-Deal HVAC.

Our experts are standing by at 505-445-1250 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 causes why your AC unit won’t run: a tripped circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overflowing condensate drain pan.

Overloaded Circuit Breaker

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

To see if one has gotten overloaded, find your residence’s main electrical panel. You can locate this silver box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Confirm your hands and feet aren’t wet before you check the panel or breakers.
  • Locate the breaker labeled “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” location. If it’s tripped the breaker will be in the in between or “off” position.
  • Steadily transfer the switch back to the “on” location. If it instantly triggers again, leave it alone and contact us at 505-445-1250. A switch that keeps tripping might mean your house has an electrical problem.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your system to work, it won’t activate.

The first point is ensuring it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioning might not turn on. Or you might receive. warm air blowing from vents since the furnace is on instead.

If you’re using a regular thermostat:

  • Swap out the batteries if the readout is blank. If the monitor is displaying garbled letters, buy a new thermostat.
  • Make sure the right setting is on the display. If you can’t update it, override it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if scheduling is not right.
  • Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is set the same as the space’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is set accurately, you should begin getting refreshing air quickly.

If you have a smart thermostat, including ones manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for help. If you still can’t get it to work, reach us at 505-445-1250 for support.

Shut-Down Switch

Your air conditioner probably has a power-cutting device around its outside unit. This lever is typically in a metal box attached to your residence. If your unit has recently been tuned up, the lever may have inadvertently been put in the “off” position.

Clogged Condensate Drain Pan

Condensate drain pans hold the surplus liquid your system removes from the air. This pan is located either under or within your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a blockage or backed up drain, water can accumulate and initiate a safety setting to stop your air conditioner.

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

If your pan involves a pump, look for the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you may need to replace the pump. Contact us at 505-445-1250 for support.

2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your AC is on but not providing cold air, its airflow could be clogged. Or it may not have adequate refrigerant.

Clogged Airflow

Your system’s airflow can be reduced by a plugged air filter or filthy condenser.

How to Replace Your Air Filter

A dusty filter can create numerous issues, such as:

  • Reduced cooling
  • Frosted refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Increased electricity costs
  • Leading your system to stop working faster

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

If you can’t remember when you last replaced yours, shut off your system completely and take out the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be found in an attached filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust you certainly should replace it.

4 Steps to Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Equipment

Weeds, plants and sticks can block your condensing equipment. This may restrict its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s how you can get your unit running well again.

  1. Switch off the electrical current completely at the breaker or outside device.
  2. Get rid of greenery waste around the AC. Once you’ve cleared larger refuse within a two-foot range, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to slowly clean the equipment’s fins. Warped fins can also impact efficiency, so you can attempt to reshape them with a dinner knife.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to carefully remove gunk off the fins from inside the equipment. Don’t get moisture on the fan motor.
  4. Put the top back on and turn the power back on.

Leaking Refrigerant

When cooling systems don’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your space.

Here are a few signs that your unit is leaking refrigerant:

  1. It takes too long to cool your residence and you’re constantly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
  2. Air conditioning moving through the ducts isn’t as cold as it should be.
  3. You’re hearing hissing or gurgling sounds when cooling is on.
  4. Your evaporator coil is iced over on account of having trouble absorbing warmth.

Think your unit is seeping refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service specialist to fix the leak and replenish the correct amount of refrigerant in your system. Call us at 505-445-1250 for assistance.

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it appears like you’re not getting enough chilled air, there’s probably a blockage or disconnection somewhere in your AC unit.

  • The initial step is looking at your air filter. Replace it if it’s soiled.
  • Then make sure the registers are clear around your house.
  • If you’re still not receiving sufficient chilled air, you should have your ductwork examined by a expert like I-Deal HVAC. Your duct system may need to be fixed or rejoined in hard-to-reach areas 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 I-Deal HVAC at 505-445-1250. We’ll quickly identify the problem when your equipment won’t work or provide enough chilled air.

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