Steps to Take When Your Air Conditioner Breaks in the Summer

When the hot, humid Orlando summer weather settles in, you need a well-functioning air conditioner to keep your home comfortable. Unfortunately, the hottest time of year is when your A/C is under the greatest strain and more vulnerable to unexpected breakdowns. If you find yourself with a broken air conditioner this summer, take the following steps:

Troubleshoot the Issue

In some instances, an air conditioner malfunction is caused is a relatively simple issue that you can troubleshoot and fix yourself.

• Dead thermostat. If you have a dead thermostat with a blank display screen, try replacing the batteries.
• Tripped breaker. Next, head to your home’s main electrical panel and check whether the air conditioner’s circuit breaker has tripped. If the breaker looks like it may be in the “off” position, reset it and try starting your A/C again.
• Frozen evaporator coil. If the cooling coil ices up and you lose cool air output at the registers, first check the system’s air filter and replace it if it’s clogged with debris. Then, shut down the cooling system, place a container beneath the coil and let it defrost naturally, then restart the A/C.

Call an Experienced HVAC Pro

If the above fixes don’t work, call a pro to find out exactly what’s wrong with your A/C. A non-responsive thermostat may be due to loose wiring, or the device may need replacement. If you reset the A/C’s breaker and it trips again, you may have a dirty A/C coil, an electrical short, or a faulty compressor or breaker. If the coil freezes up again, there may a refrigerant leak, a malfunctioning fan, or a problem with the condensate drain system.

Stay Cool Until Help Arrives

After shutting off the A/C at the thermostat, take steps to stay comfortable until your technician arrives. Close up the window coverings to minimize heat gain, and run your ceiling fans for cooling air movement. Also, avoid using heat-generating appliances like the kitchen range and clothes dryer, and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.

For expert help fixing your broken air conditioner, contact us at Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).