AC Repair in Manassas, VA: How to Repair 3 Frequent Issues

There can be a couple of explanations why your air conditioning system won’t work: a blown circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a switched off switch or a full condensate drain pan.

Your air conditioning won’t start when you have an overloaded breaker.

To find out if one has gotten overloaded, find your residence’s main electrical panel. You can locate this gray fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

• Make sure your hands and feet aren’t wet before you work on the panel or breakers.
• Find the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” position. If it’s triggered the lever will be in the middle of the panel or “off” position.
• Firmly shift the breaker back to the “on” position. If it immediately trips again, don’t reset it and call us at 703-278-2036. A switch that keeps flipping might signal your house has an electrical problem.

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your AC to work, it won’t turn on.

The first step is checking it’s set to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC will probably not turn on. Or you might receive. hot air blowing from vents because the heater is on instead.

If you rely on a regular thermostat:

• Swap out the batteries if the monitor is blank. If the screen is displaying jumbled letters, buy a new thermostat.
• Make sure the proper option is displaying. If you can’t alter it, cancel it by dropping the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if programming is wrong.
• Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees below the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is set the same as the house’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is calibrated accurately, you should receive refreshing air quickly.

If you have a smart thermostat, such as one made by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for help. If you’re still having problems, call us at 703-278-2036 for assistance.

Your cooling equipment usually has a shut-off lever around its outside unit. This device is commonly in a metal box mounted on your residence. If your equipment has recently been worked on, the lever may have unintentionally been put in the “off” position.

Condensate drain pans keep the surplus condensation your equipment removes from the air. This pan can be situated either under or within your furnace or air handler.

When there’s an obstruction or clogged drain, water can become concentrated and prompt a safety feature to switch off your air conditioner.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the extra liquid with a custom pan-cleaning tab. You can buy these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan includes a pump, look for the float switch. If the switch is “up” and there’s liquid in the pan, you could need to get a new pump. Reach us at 703-278-2036 for help.

If your system is running but not providing cold air, its airflow may be obstructed. Or it could not have enough refrigerant.

Your unit’s airflow can be limited by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.

A dusty filter can lead to a lot of problems, such as:

• Limited airflow
• Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
• Uneven cooling
• Larger utility expenses
• Leading your system to break down more quickly

We suggest changing flat filters once a month, and accordion filters every three months.

If you can’t recall when you last replaced yours, shut off your AC totally and pull out the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be found in an adjoining filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Tilt the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust you certainly should buy a new filter.

Brush, grass and bushes can block your condensing system. This may limit its airflow, lower its energy efficiency and affect your comfort. Here’s a method you can follow to get your unit operating well again.

1. Switch off the electrical current completely at the breaker or outside device.
2. Clear yard waste around the AC. Once you’ve gotten rid of bigger clutter within a two-foot area, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to gingerly clean the condenser fins. Distorted fins can also hurt performance, so you can attempt to correct them with a small knife.
3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly remove gunk off the fins from inside the system. Be careful to avoid getting liquid on the fan motor.
4. Put the top back on and turn the power back on.

When AC units don’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have to work much harder to remove heat and humidity from your home.

Here are a few indications that your unit is seeping refrigerant:

1. It takes too long to refresh your house and you’re regularly decreasing the temperature on the thermostat.
2. Air conditioning moving through the vents isn’t as chilly as it should be.
3. You’re experiencing whistling or gurgling racket when cooling runs.
4. Your evaporator coil is frosty on account of having an issue absorbing heat.

Worried your unit is seeping refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service expert to repair the leak and replenish the right amount of refrigerant in your system. Reach us at 703-278-2036 for assistance.

When it seems like you’re not getting adequate amounts of cool air, there’s probably an obstruction or separation somewhere in your AC unit.

• The initial place is examining your air filter. Get a new one if it’s soiled.
• Then check the ductwork is free throughout your home.
• If you’re still not receiving adequate chilled air, you should have your duct system checked by a specialist like Woody's Sudden Service. Your ductwork could need to be fixed or reconnected in hard-to-reach spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.