What To Check First If Your AC Unit Won’t Turn On in Middletown, Kentucky

Summers get incredibly hot and muggy here in the Southern states. When your AC unit is not turning on, you can’t sleep restfully or relax after work without a fine mist of sweat covering your skin. So, Air Support Heating & AC Repair created a brief troubleshooting guide to help you figure out what’s going on. 

We provide dependable HVAC services in Middletown, KY. Our technicians know their way around a problematic air conditioner. Our tips below will help you re-engage your cooling system. 

A Troubleshooting Checklist for When Your AC Is Not Turning On

Many common problems can cause an air conditioner to become unresponsive to temperature shifts or changed thermostat settings. First, we’ll outline the fixable issues you can address when your AC unit is not turning on. Then, you’ll learn about more complicated concerns that require help from an HVAC technician in Middletown, Kentucky. 

1. Thermostat Settings

Let’s begin with the thermostat. If you share your home with multiple people, you might not realize when someone changes the settings. Check your device’s current temperature reading and compare it against the setting.

If it’s set to a higher temperature than you’d like, lower it. You should also look at the fan and mode settings. Make sure the device is set to “Auto” for regular cycles according to temperature changes. You can also double-check the HVAC mode to ensure the system is set to cooling rather than heating.

Other common thermostat issues include low battery power or unstable placement. Change the batteries and secure the thermostat against the wall. 

2. Air Filter Changes

Head over to the return register. The register vent is usually bigger than its output counterparts. If you open it, you’ll find your air filter nestled inside. 

An air filter blockage might be why your AC unit is not turning on. Old, dirty filters limit airflow, triggering system shutdowns to protect internal components. Exchange the current filter with a fresh one. 

3. Breaker Box Inspection

A sudden interruption in your electrical power supply can also make air conditioners cease their functions. Often, a tripped circuit breaker is the primary culprit. Inspect your breaker box for flipped switches and flip them back into their original positions. 

You don’t have to worry about an occasional switch flip. However, consider seeking HVAC or electrical services in Middletown, Kentucky, if the problem persists. Treat repeated breaker flips as warnings since they prevent overloads from destroying your equipment.  

4. Shutoff Switches

Your HVAC system likely has a shutoff switch located on the indoor or outdoor unit, depending on the make and model. You might find the indoor switch on a separate switch plate or connected to the side or back of the indoor unit. Outdoor switches are housed in mounted metal boxes connected to the units. 

Check the switch’s position and flip it back to the on position. This should resolve sudden shutdowns. 

5. Reset Button

Most air conditioner reset controls connect to the outdoor units. You can find yours near the bottom edge or on the side closest to the building. Pushing the button to reset your equipment might fix the minor reasons why your AC unit is not turning on.

6. Internal Concerns

What if the solutions mentioned above don’t work for you? Your equipment may have a deeper, more complex issue preventing it from functioning. For example, capacitor failure limits the amount of electricity stored for each cycle startup.

Low energy storage means the system doesn’t have enough resources to begin a cooling cycle. On the other hand, you might have compressor problems that limit the refrigerant flowing through the system, causing frozen coils and poor airflow. The average homeowner cannot address these issues without assistance from a seasoned HVAC technician. 

Prioritize Regular HVAC Maintenance in Middletown, Kentucky

Maintenance addresses every concern listed above. However, you need two types of maintenance to stop avoidable shutdowns in their tracks: DIY and professional. Self-performed maintenance involves:

• Quarterly surface inspections and filter changes
• Dusting the equipment and removing debris
• Rinsing dust off of vent grates 
• Checking visible switches to ensure they’re in the correct position

Schedule professional maintenance twice yearly to address internal components. Air Support Heating & AC Repair is your go-to for those services.