FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
List of frequently asked questions about our services and other features.
If the cool air has stopped flowing, the first thing you should do is check your thermostat.
Here are the steps you should take:
• Blank screen? Change the batteries
• Still blank? Remove the thermostat off the wall and check if it’s getting power. Use a multi-meter to check the voltage.
• No voltage? Check your fuse box if any fuses have blown or tripped. Fuses looking good? Locate the switch connected to the central A/C and switch it on and off to reset the connection.
• If it’s getting power, but the screen is still blank, go outside and check the condenser to see if a fuse has been tripped.
• If you’re still reading this, think it’s time you should replace that thermostat. Check the warranty if it’s expired.
If your thermostat is working, but the air conditioner won’t turn on, you should also:
• Turn on the fan to see if the blower is getting power.
• Change the air filter if it’s more than a month old. The buildup of dirt can prevent air flow. If there is a buildup in the filter, wipe it down with a wet cloth.
• Check the condensation drain.
• If you’re still reading this, call a local HVAC professional.
Here are some things to consider:
• The age matters, an air conditioner lasts between 10 to 20 years and it’s recommended to do a replacement after 10 years.
• As air conditioners age, they become less energy efficient, some evidence of this is when the energy bill rises. To check this, monitor your bill over the years. If it gradually rises, it could be a sign that the air conditioner is wearing out.
• If the refrigerant is leaking, then you have a problem. It’s expensive but after a while it will cost more if you have a leak. The leaks can cause for the compressor to go bad.
• The cost of repairing is expensive. Call your local HVAC company and request the repair costs, if it’s more than $3,000, it’s not worth it. If it’s less than $3,000 then go ahead. It’s recommended to buy a new unit if it gets too costly. Buy a new unit.
Is your AC freezing up instead of you? Then you have a problem. Most of the time, air conditioners freeze up because the lack of refrigerant or a lack of airflow to the evaporator coils. If your air conditioner is freezing up, the first thing you should do is turn it off. If the air conditioner is left on, the compressor could get damaged.
Check the following items:
• If the thermostat temperature is below 70 degrees it could be causing your air conditioner to freeze up.
• If your refrigerant level is low, check the recommended psi and buy a tank or two from the shop and connect a hose and top it.
• A clogged, dirty air filter could be causing the issue. As mentioned above, change the filter if it’s been more than a month since the last change or you could wash it and wipe it off with a cloth.
• Make sure all vents are open to ensure air flow to the evaporator coil.
• If the evaporator coils are blocked by dirt and debris, this could be cause of the problem.
• Check if everything is alright with the fans Your fan is what blows cool air through the duct-work in your home — and also helps circulate air back to your evaporator coil.
One function of air conditioners is to extract humidity from the air, so a little bit of
condensation is natural. However, leaks usually indicate that there’s a problem with the way the condensate is draining.
The following things could be causing this issue:
• A clogged condensate line.
• A rusty condensate pan.
• A dirty or frozen evaporator coil.
• A low refrigerant level.
• Dirty air filter.
• Installation issues.
To change a filter, follow these steps:
• Choose the right size. Remove your old filter and measure it, or read your user’s manual.
• Choose a MERV. MERV stands for “minimum efficiency reporting value” and ranges from 1-20. The higher the MERV, the more effective the air filter.
• Choose the type of filter. You can choose from fiberglass, washable, pleaded or electronic.
• Install it. Most air filters are extremely easy to install. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.