AC Unit Not Turning On?

During the hot summer months, most homes require an air conditioning system that can keep the house cool and comfortable.

If your AC doesn’t turn on after a power outage, it may be due to a malfunctioning part, a problem with the power supply, or something with the inside system.

Regardless of what is causing the AC unit to not turn on, it’s essential to have an HVAC professional inspection completed on your home’s electrical system and AC system.

Continue reading to explore nine common reasons your air conditioner won’t turn on and how a professional HVAC technician makes these repairs.

Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Attention

AC systems have many working parts because they have both an inside and outside unit. So even though you may not know how to inspect your air conditioner thoroughly, you can still look for these specific signs that indicate your air conditioner requires attention.

• Hissing noises coming from the air conditioner
• Lack of cool air coming from vents
• Limited airflow
• High utility bills
• Consistent circuit breaker problems

See Also: Why Is My AC Making Strange Noises?

Common Reasons AC Unit Won’t Turn On

Plenty of things can cause an air conditioner to break. However, only an HVAC specialist can determine the root reason for your air conditioners malfunctioning. Until you have a professional inspection, consider these common culprits for a failing cooling system.

1. Dirty Air Filter in Air Conditioner Unit

Every central air conditioner has an air filter. The job of air filters is to remove harmful debris from the air. If you let this debris accumulate for months without checking, you’ll end up with a clogged air filter.

An extremely clogged filter doesn’t accommodate your air conditioner’s need for proper airflow and can cause it to work harder, putting strain on the AC unit. The only solution is to clean these clogged filters by replacing them with a new filter allowing adequate air flow through indoor and outdoor AC units.

2. Thermostat Issues

Another common reason for AC not turning on is due to an issue with your thermostat. Ensure your thermostat is set to the preferred temperature, signaling the HVAC system to switch on and create cold air.

Sometimes thermostats need new batteries or have wiring problems with their main electrical panel. Luckily, HVAC pros can quickly provide repair services and troubleshooting if your thermostat is the culprit.

3. Problems with Circuit Breaker

Every homeowner uses a lot of electricity when running appliances and the air conditioner. When too much electricity flows through your home, your circuit breaker will turn on a safety switch which turns the AC off to prevent an electrical fire.

When the circuit breaker trips, it usually happens after a storm or due to power outages or power surges. Try to reset the switch circuit, and make sure to check your switch to see if it’s in the off position.

If you experienced a tripped circuit breaker, you may want to have a professional inspect the area for electrical safety.

4. Clogged Drain Line

Every outdoor AC unit has a condensate drain line and drain pan. Unfortunately, sometimes this drain line clogs, preventing refrigerant and other components inside the condenser unit from working appropriately.

Condensation can build up inside the condensate drain line, which automatically turns off your AC unit to prevent water leaks from causing damage.

If this occurs, a technician can clear the drain of debris or provide replacement if necessary.

5. Low Refrigerant

If your indoor temperature isn’t what you have set on your thermostat, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. In the outside unit, you have refrigerant lines that cool down the air before pushing it into the evaporator coils.

Sometimes these lines experience levels of damage and require repair service to avoid water leaks in the drain pan or drain pipe.

6. Bad Capacitor

If your AC unit has a bad capacitor, it puts extra stress on the compressor and other components in the AC system. Some homeowners report a humming noise which can signify the air conditioner motor won’t start or run for long.

7. Frozen Evaporator Coil

Evaporator coils are an essential part of the AC unit that works with refrigerant lines to take warm air and turn it into cool air. If these coils are frozen, the entire system doesn’t work effectively, creating blockages. Fortunately, these coils are easy to clean and replace.

8. Blown Fuse

Every home can blow a fuse. If the home AC won’t turn on, you might need to press the reset switch on your fuse box. The fuse box is a metal box near the inside unit. If you blow a fuse, you can reset the fuse by flipping the horizontal light switch on this indoor unit that controls the power supply to your HVAC system.

9. Blower Fan Motor

If the outside AC unit won’t turn on, you may have an issue with the fan motor. This fan helps push air that’s your desired temperature through the home into the vents. If the fan has any problems, your current room temperature may be warmer than you prefer because the outdoor unit isn’t pushing cool air far enough into the home.

Opt for Regular AC Unit Maintenance

Dirty filters, clogged coils, and thermostat upkeep are all standard inspections an HVAC professional can complete to ensure you don’t have to encounter central AC that won’t turn on.

If your AC fan won’t turn on or the central AC won’t turn on after any malfunctions, you should get to the bottom of the issue to prevent any malfunctions or unnecessary stress which can slowly damage the exterior AC system.

Trust Experts to Fix Your Air Conditioning Unit

If your AC won’t turn on after a power outage, it’s time to call a trusted team of professionals.

Whether your AC is malfunctioning due to heat pump issues or if a circuit breaker tripped, Smart Heating and Air Conditioning is your dedicated team of heating and cooling professionals that can your HVAC issues.

Contact Smart Heating and Air Conditioning to determine fix your ac today!