If the air conditioner in your San Antonio, TX home fails, you can quickly experience uncomfortable and unsafe conditions in your residence. There are some emergency steps that you can take to quickly get your cooling system running again. Stay calm — our team at Rosenberg Plumbing & Air is available to help.
Immediate Steps for Protection
If you notice burning smells or smoke coming from your vents or AC equipment, turn off the appliance at the thermostat as well as the electrical panel. Call for assistance immediately. This will help keep household members safe, protect your home, and prevent damage to your HVAC machinery.
Inspecting Your Thermostat
There may be an issue with your thermostat settings that prevents your air conditioning equipment from functioning properly. For example, make sure that the thermostat is powered on. You may need to replace the battery if you don’t see anything on the screen or if the buttons aren’t working. Make sure your thermostat is set to the cooling function. If you still have it set to the heating function, your AC unit won’t turn on. You also need to confirm that the thermostat setting is lower than the current indoor temperature.
Checking Your Circuit Breaker and Electrical Panel
You may have a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker that is impacting your air conditioner. Check your breaker panel to see if the breaker for your AC is tripped. You may be able to reset it by switching it on and off and checking to see if your system comes back on. If you live in an older home and have a fuse box, inspect for any signs of blown fuses. You can use a multimeter for this purpose or inspect your fuse for any sign of malfunction, like color change or a broken filament.
Filter Changes and Vent Issues
If your HVAC filter is dirty, it can negatively impact the flow of air through your air conditioning system. This can lead to malfunction or overheating. You should be replacing your filter every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type that you have and how frequently your equipment runs. Change your filter if it appears damaged or if you see large clumps of debris on it. Hold the filter up to the light to see if light passes through. If it doesn’t, it’s time to change it.
All the vents in your home should be open, allowing for optimal airflow. Many homeowners close vents in rooms that aren’t frequently used to save money. This can decrease system efficiency and lead to equipment strain. This can even shut down your system entirely.
Maintaining Your Outdoor Unit
The AC condenser that is located outside your home may have obstructions that are impeding the flow of air. Make sure this area is clear of tree branches, leaves, and other debris. You can use a garden hose on a gentle setting to wash away anything that you suspect is causing a problem.
If you can’t get the condenser to respond at all, there may be a mechanical or electrical issue that our team can diagnose, like a failing compressor. If the unit is turning on intermittently, listen for unusual sounds like clicking or screeching. There may be friction that is causing a problem.
Addressing Pooling Water
If water is pooling near your indoor or outdoor equipment, there could be a clog in your condensate drain. Leaks near your outdoor equipment may be the result of a refrigerant leak. Don’t try to clean up the mess yourself, as exposure to refrigerants can be dangerous. Rather, call our team for assistance.
Resetting Your Air Conditioning System
There is a way to reset your air conditioning system that can sometimes fix minor glitches that are causing problems. Turn off your AC unit completely at the thermostat and the breaker. Wait five to 10 minutes before proceeding. Then, turn everything back on and observe what happens during the startup process. If you’re still experiencing issues, it’s likely that you need professional assistance.
Documenting Your AC Problems
It’s important that you take note of any issues that you’re noticing with your AC unit. This information can help us make a timely diagnosis and provide prompt repairs. This includes abnormal sounds and smells, sudden increases in energy consumption, warm or cold spots throughout your residence, failure to start, and short cycling. It’s best to reach out for assistance as soon as you notice that something is wrong. This is essential for your safety and the integrity of your AC equipment.
Scheduling a Ductwork Inspection
The problem that’s occurring may not be caused by issues with your AC unit. There could be ductwork problems that are impeding airflow and causing other issues. If ducting has cracks, holes, or other damage present, this can lead to dirty ducts and interior components. When the components in your system become coated with debris, this can make them less effective. As they work harder to function, your air conditioner can malfunction or fail. Not to mention that issues with your ducting can negatively impact your indoor air quality and make you feel unwell. You may even find you’re running your equipment more frequently to keep up with indoor air quality issues, shortening its life expectancy.
Damage to ductwork can be repaired, or sections can be replaced. We recommend adding insulation to your ductwork to protect your comfort and AC equipment. This will keep the air inside your ducts cool for longer, allowing the air to reach the different rooms in your home without a change in temperature. You’ll minimize running your AC unit with this upgrade.
We recommend that you have a professional inspect your ductwork every few years. You can also schedule a routine duct cleaning to remove particulate matter and other contaminants from your ducting.
Considering Equipment Sizing
The size of your air conditioner may be causing problems such as short cycling. If the appliance is too small, it’s easy to experience equipment strain as your AC runs frequently to keep up with cooling demands. An air conditioner that is too large can also cause problems such as inefficient cooling and equipment strain. When it comes time to invest in a new AC unit, we will perform a load calculation to determine what size unit you need. Considerations include how many people are living in your household, the square footage of your residence, how many windows and doors you have, and your cooling needs.
Schedule Time With the Pros
It’s beneficial to keep up with routine inspections and maintenance for your HVAC equipment. This allows our team to spot issues before you notice anything is wrong, providing you with peace of mind and reliable comfort. We can also assist with the selection and installation of a new air conditioning system when the time comes. Contact our team at Rosenberg Plumbing & Air in San Antonio for more information.
Tags: AC Installation, HVAC Tips