AC Repair in Fredericksburg, VA: How to Fix 3 Frequent Issues

There can be a couple of reasons why your central AC system won’t work: an overloaded circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a switched off switch or a full condensate drain pan.

Your AC won’t work when you have an overloaded breaker.

To find out if one has blown, find your house’s main electrical panel. You can spot this metallic box on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

• Confirm your hands and feet are dry before you check the panel or breakers.
• Look for the breaker identified “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s overloaded the breaker will be in the in between or “off” spot.
• Steadily transfer the breaker back to the “on” position. If it immediately triggers again, don’t touch it and contact us at 540-675-4306. A breaker that keeps tripping might indicate your home has electrical trouble.

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

The main part is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not start running. Or you might get. hot air coming from vents being the furnace is going instead.

If you rely on a digital thermostat:

• Put in new batteries if the readout is blank. If the screen is displaying jumbled numbers, buy a new thermostat.
• Make sure the right setting is on the display. If you can’t change it, cancel it by decreasing the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will make your AC start if the configuration is wrong.
• Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees below the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t start if the thermostat is identical to the space’s temperature.

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

If you’re using a smart thermostat, including ones produced 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 540-675-4306 for support.

Your AC probably has a shut-off switch near its condenser. This switch is generally in a metal box mounted on your house. If your air conditioner has recently been maintained, the lever may have inadvertently been put in the “off” position.

Condensate drain pans hold the additional water your system removes from the air. This pan can be positioned either under or in your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a clog or clogged drain, water can accumulate and trigger a safety setting to switch off your unit.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus liquid with a formulated pan-cleaning capsule. You can get these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan involves a pump, locate the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you might have to replace the pump. Reach us at 540-675-4306 for support.

If your AC is going but not cooling, its airflow could be obstructed. Or it might not have adequate refrigerant.

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

A dirty filter can lead to many problems, like:

• Reduced comfort
• Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
• Uneven cooling
• Increased cooling bills
• Leading your system to break down faster

We propose installing new flat filters every four weeks, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t recall when you last changed yours, turn off your AC fully and take out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be found in a connected filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to the sunshine. If you see a lot of dust you need to get a new one.

Brush, plants and bushes can get in the way of your condensing equipment. This can restrict its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s how you can get your unit running smoothly again.

1. Switch off power totally at the breaker or outdoor lever.
2. Clear vegetation debris around the equipment. Once you’ve cleared all the refuse within a two-foot area, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to slowly remove dust from the condenser fins. Distorted fins can also affect capability, so you can attempt to adjust them with a small knife.
3. Use a hose nozzle to gingerly remove gunk off the fins from inside the system. Make sure to avoid getting water on the fan motor.
4. Replace the top and turn on the power.

When cooling systems don’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from the air.

Here are a couple of symptoms that your system is losing refrigerant:

1. It takes an extended amount of time to lower the temperature in your rooms and you’re continually turning down the thermostat.
2. Air blowing through the ducts isn’t as chilled as it should be.
3. You’re hearing hissing or gurgling noises when the AC works.
4. Your evaporator coil is frosty because it’s having an issue handling warmth.

Worried your equipment is losing refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service expert to fix the leak and refill the right amount of refrigerant in your system. Call us at 540-675-4306 for support.

When it feels like you’re not having ample amounts of cold air, there’s likely a blockage or disconnection inside your cooling system.

• The initial stage is examining your air filter. Buy a new one if it’s dusty.
• Then check the vents are open across your residence.
• If you’re still not experiencing sufficient cold air, you should have your duct system examined by a expert like Childress Heating & AC. Your ducts could need to be repaired or relinked in limited space spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.