Troubleshooting A/C Problems in Your MA Home

Summer’s almost here – which means that it will soon be time to crank up the air conditioning 24/7 as we take on what is expected to be an unusually hot and sticky summer here I the Northeast.

The question is, will your A/C be up for the challenge when you need it most?

Before we start seeing triple digits in the coming months, it’s a good idea to give your A/C a trial run (and to schedule your annual cooling system tune-up, if you haven’t done so already).

If you attempt to run your A/C and it doesn’t work at all:

1. Make sure your thermostat:
   • Is set to “AC,” “cool,” or “fan”
   • Is set to at least 5 degrees below the current room temperature (if it isn’t, your cooling system sensors may not detect that it’s time to get working)
2. Check for tripped circuit breakers.
   • A circuit breaker trips (turns off) to stop the flow of electricity and keep a circuit from overheating; reset tripped circuits and try your air conditioner again (Tip: if it isn’t already, label your A/C and other circuits for quick reference during an outage).
3. Make sure all power switches are on.
   • Make sure power switches that affect both the outdoor (condenser) and indoor (air handler) units are on.

If none of the above measures work, contact us for service.

If your AC system turns on, but blows warm air:

1. Make sure your thermostat is set properly (see #1 above).
2. Make sure all vents are open and unblocked.
3. Make sure all power switches are turned on (see #3 above)
4. Check the outdoor condenser unit to see if it’s running. If it isn’t:
   • Check the power switch (see above).
   • Check the condenser’s circuit breaker (see above).
   • Check for debris inside the condenser (TURN OFF THE POWER FIRST!).
5. Check the indoor unit.
   • Make sure the power switches are on (see above).
   • Check for clogged air filters; clean or replace them if needed and try the A/C again.

If your air conditioner still blows warm air, contact us for service.

If your A/C is running, but not as efficiently or cool as you think it should, try these measures:

• Clean air intakes and replace your A/C air filter – Dirt can cause a compressor or fan to overwork; keep air intakes clear and replace clogged HVAC air filters to ensure adequate airflow.
• Make sure windows and doors are closed – Unnecessary overwork will certainly lead to inefficiency – and more than likely to costly cooling system repairs down the road.
• Look signs of reduced efficiency and airflow – If you notice poor airflow from vents and higher than usual bills, it might be time to get your system checked. Improperly maintained equipment can lose 5-10 percent efficiency or more every cooling season. Duct leaks can also sap cooling performance.
• Make sure your A/C unit is matched to your cooling load – If you’ve built an addition to your home and haven’t upgraded your air conditioner, it may have to work too hard to cool your space. The same unnecessary wear and tear can occur if your unit is oversized, since constant on/off cycling will tax the compressor and fan controls.
• Check for refrigerant leaks – If your refrigerant is low, it’s probably due to poor installation or a leak. Either way, you’ll need a trained technician to service your cooling system. After testing the repair, your technician can recharge your system with the right amount of refrigerant.

Still having problems with your home cooling system? Contact Needham Oil Complete Heating & Cooling today for service – or even a cooling equipment upgrade for your New Jersey or Staten Island home!