AC Repair in Lafayette, LA: How to Handle 3 Typical Issues

There can be several reasons why your AC unit won’t start: an overloaded circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a shut off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

Your AC won’t run when you have a tripped breaker.

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

• Confirm your hands and feet are free of moisture before you work on the panel or breakers.
• Locate the breaker identified “AC” and make sure it’s in the “on” position. If it’s overloaded the lever will be in the middle or “off” spot.
• Quickly transfer the switch back to the “on” position. If it instantaneously trips again, don’t touch it and call us at (337) 234-2345. A fuse that keeps turning off might mean your home has an electrical issue.

If your thermostat isn’t giving a sign to your equipment to run, it won’t switch on.

The first step is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner might not switch on. Or you might have. warm air blowing from vents since the furnace is on instead.

If you rely on a traditional thermostat:

• Replace the batteries if the monitor is clear. If the readout is displaying jumbled numbers, replace the thermostat.
• Check the right program is showing. If you can’t alter it, override it by decreasing the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if the configuration is incorrect.
• Try setting the thermostat 5 degrees lower than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is identical to the house’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted correctly, you should start getting chilled air fast.

If you have a smart thermostat, including ones manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If you still can’t get it to work, contact us at (337) 234-2345 for assistance.

Your system probably has a power-cutting lever near its outside unit. This device is generally in a metal box hung on your house. If your AC has recently been tuned up, the lever may have accidentally been placed in the “off” position.

Condensate drain pans keep the surplus condensation your air conditioner takes out of the air. This pan can be situated either below or within your furnace or air handler.

When there’s an obstruction or blocked drain, water can become concentrated and prompt a safety feature to turn off your unit.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can get rid of the surplus water with a custom pan-cleaning tab. You can purchase these capsules at a home improvement or hardware store.

If your pan has a pump, locate the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you could need to replace the pump. Contact us at (337) 234-2345 for help.

If your air conditioner is working but not cooling, its airflow might be congested. Or it might not have enough refrigerant.

Your equipment’s airflow can be limited by a plugged air filter or filthy condenser.

A filthy filter can cause many issues, including:

• Reduced cooling
• Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
• Inconsistent cooling
• Larger energy bills
• Causing your system to break down faster

We recommend replacing flat filters every four weeks, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t recall when you last replaced yours, switch off your equipment fully and take out the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It may also be located in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to the light. If you can’t see any light you should get a new one.

Weeds, plants and leaves can obstruct your condensing unit. This could limit its airflow, make it less energy efficient and change your comfort. Here’s how you can get your unit working well again.

1. Turn off electricity fully at the breaker or outside lever.
2. Clear vegetation rubbish around the air conditioner. Once you’ve gotten rid of bigger debris within a two-foot radius, you can use a soft brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the unit’s fins. Kinked fins can also impact performance, so you can attempt to correct them with a dinner knife.
3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly clean the fins from inside the unit. Don’t get liquid on the fan motor.
4. Install the top again and restore the power.

When AC equipment doesn’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your rooms.

Here are a couple of signs that your system is seeping refrigerant:

1. It takes an extended amount of time to cool your space and you’re constantly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
2. Air conditioning coming through the ducts isn’t as chilled as it should be.
3. You’re hearing hissing or gurgling racket when the AC works.
4. Your evaporator coil is icy as a result of having difficulty handling warmth.

Suspect your system is seeping refrigerant? You need a licensed heating and cooling service professional to take care of the leak and refill the right level of refrigerant in your equipment. Get in touch with us at (337) 234-2345 for assistance.

When it appears like you’re not receiving adequate amounts of cool air, there’s likely an obstruction or detachment inside your cooling unit.

• The initial place is examining your air filter. Get a new one if it’s soiled.
• Then make sure the vents are free across your rooms.
• If you’re still not getting sufficient cold air, you should have your ductwork examined by a professional like AC Sales. Your ductwork could need to be serviced or hooked up again in tricky spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.