Reasons Your Air Conditioner Unit Isn't Turning On

Down here in Corpus Christi, it’s crucial that we keep our air conditioners in peak condition so they don’t break down when we need them most. Every now and then, however, the A/C may fail to turn on. The cause can certainly be something serious, but familiarizing yourself with air conditioner troubleshooting can help you decide if you need an HVAC tech or you can handle it yourself.

We’ve compiled common reasons your A/C may not be turning on.

Try These Procedures to Get Your A/C Back On

1. Is the power on?

You’d probably be surprised to know how many calls HVAC companies get about dead A/Cs that simply aren’t turned on or that aren’t getting power. Before you do anything else, find out if your home’s power is on. If it isn’t, look online to see what your utility company says about the outage. If it’s on in your home, but not powering the A/C, it may be the breaker has flipped or a fuse has burned out. Flip the breaker or replace the fuse.

2. Is the unit “on”?

The control should be set for “cool.” The fan should be set to “on” or “auto.” If you have it on auto and the A/C doesn’t come on, lower the thermostat. It might be the home’s temperature is higher than the thermostat set point.

3. Is the thermostat working?

Thermostats, like any other part of the HVAC system, can wear out and need replacement. But before you call for a new one, check the batteries, if your thermostat runs on them, or the wiring. If the wires are loose or frayed, they will need to be tightened or replaced by a professional.

4. Is the air filter dirty?

Too much dirt on the air filter reduces air flow and the coils can freeze, at which point the system will shut down. Turn the A/C off, change the filter and try restarting the unit.

For more information on troubleshooting your air conditioner, contact CCAC. We’re constantly concerned about customers.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.

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