Do-It-Yourself Tips to Solve Cooling Problems

If you have trouble with your air conditioning this summer, stay cool and collected. There are a few simple things you can do first that could solve the problem and save you a service call.

If the cooling system does not run, do this:

• Start with your thermostat. Make sure it is on the “cool” or “auto” setting. Also, is the temperature set about 5 degrees lower than room temperature? If you have a digital thermostat and the display screen is blank, you either need new batteries or the power supply has been interrupted.
• Check all power switches/sources for you’re a/c. A circuit may have tripped when the cooling system started up. Also check the disconnect switch in the box next to the outdoor condenser.
• Test other appliances or lights. There may have been a power outage in your neighborhood.

If cooling system runs, but there’s no cool air, do this:

• Shut off all power switches and check the condition of the air filter in your air handler (the part of the a/c system that’s inside your home). The filter may be clogged. Change/clean the air filter if it’s dirty. Make sure the system’s power is off before you do this. Clean filters mean lower bills because your cooling system will run more efficiently.
• Make sure your supply and return air grilles are open and unobstructed.

If you can’t find what’s wrong after taking these steps, call us so we can come out and diagnose the problem.

We also encourage you to go to our troubleshooting guide and bookmark it for future reference. The entire team at Needham Oil & Air wishes you a cool and happy summer!