Areas in Eau Claire, Ellsworth, and the surrounding areas can see temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. While spending a day relaxing at Beaver Creek Reserve or swimming at Big Falls County Park can be great, having a comfortably cool home to return to is ideal. Unfortunately, your AC may unexpectedly stop working. Knowing how to handle this scenario makes all the difference in your stress level.
Equipment Not Running
If you notice that your air conditioner is not working, the first thing you’ll need to do is evaluate your thermostat. If the thermostat screen is blank, it may not have a sufficient source of power. Start by checking the circuit breaker for your HVAC system to see if it tripped. If so, simply reset the circuit breaker, and your thermostat should turn back on.
If the circuit breaker isn’t tripped and you still don’t have power at your thermostat, check to see if it needs new batteries. Most thermostats will take AA or AAA batteries that need replacement about every six months. If replacing the thermostat batteries doesn’t work, you’ll need to call one of our professionals to further assess if your thermostat is faulty or if there’s a problem with the wiring.
When your thermostat sends a signal to the circuit board in your indoor air handler unit, it will make a clicking noise before the indoor air handler turns on. If you hear the clicking noise and your unit fails to start up, you likely have a faulty capacitor that will require professional replacement.
Weak Airflow
If you notice there seems to be very little airflow coming out of your air vents, there may be an issue with your filter. When the filter collects debris over time, it will eventually get so full that there may be a restriction of airflow. This can have a negative impact on the integrity of your HVAC equipment as well.
It’s important to replace this filter regularly (usually every 30 to 90 days) to prevent this from happening. Be sure to replace it with a filter of the exact same size to ensure that it will work effectively. Avoid filters that are too restrictive for the type of unit you have.
Blowing Warm Air
There are various reasons why your AC unit may be blowing warm air. The first is that you have your blower fan set to the on setting instead of auto. This causes your blower fan to run continuously regardless of whether your cooling equipment is running or not.
When your air conditioner is off, the blower fan will be recirculating hot air throughout your ducting. This has a very easy fix, as all you need to do is change the setting for your blower fan to auto, so it only runs when your air conditioner is running.
If the problem doesn’t exist with the thermostat setting for your blower fan, the issue could be with your refrigerant. The refrigerant inside your air conditioner is responsible for absorbing heat in your home and transporting it to your outdoor condenser unit. If the refrigerant level gets too low due to a leak, it won’t be able to absorb enough heat from your home.
This will cause hot air that comes into your return ducting to simply circulate back out your supply vents. If you think you have a refrigerant leak, it’s necessary to contact one of our HVAC technicians to further assess the leak. We’ll work swiftly to repair the source of the leak and recharge your system’s refrigerant level so it can get back to cooling your home.
Another reason you may have hot air coming out of your air vents is due to a problem with your outdoor condenser unit. It could be something as simple as the breaker for your outdoor unit being shut off. Most outdoor condenser units have their own subpanel box located outside your home that allows you to easily shut the unit off for servicing.
If the circuit breaker isn’t tripped for your outdoor condenser unit, you are likely having an issue with the compressor pump. When the compressor pump fails, it’s unable to circulate refrigerant between your indoor air handler unit and the condenser unit. The indoor air handler unit will simply keep circulating the air in your home without adequately pulling heat out of it. If you suspect you have a faulty compressor pump, it’s best to consult one of our professionals for prompt AC repair service.
Leaking Water
One alarming problem you may experience with your air conditioner is that it starts leaking water. As your air conditioner runs, it naturally pulls moisture out of the air. This moisture accumulates on the surface of the evaporator coil and drips down into the drain pan. The drain pan has a drain line that moves water away from your home.
If the drain line becomes clogged with debris or minerals from hard water, water will back up in the drain pan and overflow. This will cause water to pool around your indoor air handler unit. Many newer models have built-in sensors that will automatically shut your AC off when the drain pan gets too full, but this isn’t always the case. To remedy this unfortunate situation, you’ll need to clear out the debris clogging the drain line.
Odd or Foul Smells
When you turn your air conditioner on for the first time that year, it may have a slight dusty smell. This is the result of dust burning off its internal components. However, this smell should dissipate within a few minutes, and your air conditioner shouldn’t produce any other odors. If you get a whiff of a musty or burning smell coming from your vents, it’s an indication of an underlying problem. You should shut your unit off and consult one of our HVAC technicians to repair the culprit behind the issue.
Abnormal System Noises
One particularly alarming issue you may experience with your AC unit is it making an odd noise. In many cases, the noise will start off very softly and increase in loudness as you continue to run your system. Some examples of sounds you may hear include buzzing, banging, rattling, grinding, and squealing. The tone of the noise can give you some insight into where the problem is originating.
For example, a grinding noise typically indicates an issue with the bearings inside the blower motor. A squealing noise usually means the blower fan belt is worn out and has the potential to tear. We highly recommend shutting your unit off as soon as you notice a sound that’s out of the ordinary. You want to avoid using your system until it can undergo a professional evaluation from one of our technicians to prevent further damage.
Quick AC Repair Service
Hurlburt offers quick AC repair in Eau Claire, Ellsworth, and the surrounding areas. Our local technicians can also assist with all your AC replacement, new installation, as well maintenance needs. Contact us to book your next service. We are always here to take your call.
