In Florida’s hot and muggy weather, staying cool and hydrated is a must. Fortunately, with today’s current HVAC technology, keeping cool and collected has never been easier. What happens when your air conditioner is not turning on?
But when an A/C breaks down, you’ll want to be prepared. With extreme heat being one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths in the United States (Southern Methodist University, 2024), you can’t afford not to have your air conditioner turn on — especially for us Floridians.
Air conditioner not turning on? Wondering how to prepare yourself if your air conditioner has issues?
We have just the thing. In this article, we’ll discuss:
- How air conditioners work, so you can make more informed decisions when they decide not to work.
- Common reasons why an air conditioner won’t turn on
- Everyday solutions and fixes for an air conditioner that doesn’t turn on
- Preventive measures you can take to ensure a healthy HVAC and A/C unit
10 Everyday solutions and fixes for A/C units that won’t turn on
1. Check the thermostat 2. Clean and replace your air filter 3. Check the emergency shut-off switch 4. Check the unit’s power switch 5. Ensure the drain lines and pan are clean 6. Hit your air conditioner’s “reset” button 7. Look for ice buildups in evaporator coils 8. Keep condensers clean 9. Patch up blown fuses 10. Look out for low refrigerant and refrigerant leaks |
Beyond thermostats: how air conditioner units works
Air conditioners tend to have three main parts:
- The compressor
- The condenser
- The evaporator
The first two are located outside a residence or business, and the evaporator is inside.
An air conditioner starts cooling fluid that enters the compressor. The compressor then squeezes the liquid, and the molecules in the liquid begin to become packed. The more the molecules are pushed together through pressure, the higher the temperature and energy will be produced.
Then, this fluid exits the compressor as a high-pressure gas, but not before moving to the air conditioner condenser. A condenser helps heat disperse.
Therefore, the fluid that leaves the condenser is cooler, changing from a gas to a liquid in the process. The fluid then moves to the last part of an air conditioner, the evaporator.
As its name suggests, the evaporator’s metal fans exchange thermal energy with the surrounding air. The refrigerant leaves the evaporator, but as colder, lower-pressure gas, leaving your home and business cool and comfortable.
So, while identifying issues in an air conditioner can be fixed on your own, the process can become complicated fast. The more you know the “why” behind what’s happening in your A/C unit, the better equipped you’ll be to keep it running with minimal fuss.
Common areas that cause problems in A/C units
The most common reasons why an air conditioning unit won’t turn on is due to issues with the A/C unit’s thermostat, circuit breakers, and condensers.
Issues with the AC unit’s thermostat
An A/C unit’s thermostat is often the culprit behind why an A/C unit won’t work. The thermostat communicates with your air conditioning unit.
If the unit isn’t turning on when you need it to — or if it isn’t working — your system won’t be able to make heads or tails out of the temperature in your living space.
Sometimes, resetting your thermostat is all that’s needed to ensure your air conditioner starts working again. Other times, the issue can be due to the circuit breaker.
Circuit breaker problems
A tripped circuit breaker is trouble and another reason why an A/C unit may not be turning on. If many appliances are being used at one time, the appliances can trip the circuit breaker.
But why do circuit breakers trip? Circuit breakers trip when excess electricity flows to the circuit or when the circuit can no longer handle the excess current load.
To reset your circuit breaker, look for your electrical panel. The electric panel is often located in the garage of a home (or dedicated room for utilities, if in a business location).
Flip the switch from on to off and then back again. The quick flip on and off should do the trick.
If not, though, you’ll want to inspect your HVAC system for condenser-related issues.
Condenser-related issues
Not having issues with your circuit breaker or thermostat? Sometimes, the issue could just be an unplugged condenser unit.
To troubleshoot condenser unit issues, keep your eyes out for a brown cord that extends from your unit to a panel on the side of your home or business. Condenser wires can often come unplugged or damaged by the elements.
When the cord becomes damaged or unplugged, electricity can stop flowing inside the unit, causing issues with starting up the A/C unit. If you’re having issues with your condenser unit, you can always call an HVAC professional to resolve the issue.
If you choose to resolve the issue on your own, be prepared to assess at least ten major areas of your HVAC unit to discover the root of the problem.
10 reasons why (and fixes for) A/Cs that are not turning on
If you’re looking to diagnose an A/C issue, the following 10 solutions can help you resolve why your air conditioner is not turning on. Your A/C unit may not be turning on due to a myriad of reasons.
Try the following everyday solutions and fixes to help ensure your indoor temperature remains cool and comfortable:
- Check the thermostat
- Clean and replace your air filter
- Check the emergency shut-off switch
- Check the unit’s power switch
- Ensure the drain lines and pan are clean
- Hit your air conditioner’s “reset” button
- Look for ice buildups in evaporator coils
- Keep condensers clean
- Patch up blown fuses
- Look out for low refrigerant and refrigerant leaks
1. Troubleshoot for thermostat issues
Most thermostats have a function that allows users to set the indoor temperature to “cool.” Make sure your thermostat is on this setting and is set at five degrees below the current indoor temperature.
Someone living in your home may have changed your home’s temperature settings — or the temperature setting may have been turned off — hence why your A/C unit may not be working.
2. Clean and replace your air filter
Clogged and dirty air filters are another reason why an A/C unit may not turn on. Filters need to be cleaned and changed often.
A dusty filter can clog an HVAC system, forcing an air conditioning unit to work more than it should to reach its intended temperature. Many air conditioning systems are built with a trigger that tells the system to turn off if the air filter is clogged or dirty.
So, how often should you change your air filters? The general rule of thumb is every three months.
3. Check the emergency shut-off switch
The emergency shut-off switch is next to the outside air conditioning unit, hanging in a metal box. Someone may have left the switch in the “off” position if they were recently working on the A/C system.
4. Check the unit’s power switch
Accidents happen. An A/C unit may not work because of an accident related to maintenance work.
If someone was recently working on your air conditioning unit, they may have accidentally turned the switch to the “off” position.
An HVAC unit’s power switch often looks like a light switch. Take a look at your system’s power switch to determine the source of the issue with your HVAC system.
Note: the emergency shut-off switch is often located in a handler closet, crawl space, attic, or other dark area. If you’re worried about doing maintenance work in small spaces like a crawl space, you can always call a professional HVAC team.
They’re trained and experienced with working in small spaces for heating and cooling system-related issues. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local HVAC team for support if needed.
5. Ensure the drain lines and pan aren’t clogged
An HVAC system creates condensation that runs through and exits your home via a condensate drain line. If condensation lines or drain pans are full or clogged, your HVAC system will trigger a safety switch and turn off your heating and cooling system.
To unclog and clean a drain line, you can use a wet or dry vacuum or pipe snake. Clearing the drain of dirt and debris can help resolve issues within the air conditioning system.
6. Hit your air conditioner’s “reset” button
Sometimes, all you need is a simple reset — for your air conditioning system, that is. Many HVAC systems have a “reset” switch that’s located on the outside A/C unit.
Press the reset button. If your unit doesn’t work, you can turn off the system at the thermostat, wait a few minutes, and try hitting the reset button again.
With that being said, hitting the reset button is not a foolproof solution to fixing an A/C unit. You’ll want an expert to help assess the situation and look at your system.
After all, hitting the reset button in life is often (but not always) a temporary solution.
7. Keep your eyes peeled for ice buildups in evaporator coils
Consider the last time you conducted a regular cleaning of your evaporator coils. If you see ice building up on any system components, make sure to thaw the components before attempting to turn on your unit.
Once thawed, consider cleaning the coils. The reason is that if the coil is clogged by dirt when you turn on the unit, the temperature will drop and begin freezing.
With more freezing, your system won’t run at optimal condition. If you’ve cleaned the evaporator coils, the issue could also be that you’re low on refrigerant fluid — or the fans on your system need maintenance.
If you run into the above two scenarios, you’re best to call an HVAC professional for immediate support.
8. Ensure condensers aren’t dirty or clogged
If your unit still won’t turn on, take a look at one of the other three main components of an A/C system discussed earlier in this article: the condenser. If the condenser is exposed to dirt and debris, the air conditioning unit works overtime to keep your living space cool.
You’ll know that the culprit could be a condenser if you hear strange noises coming from your unit. If you’re not able to clean up the debris on your own, we recommend giving an HVAC professional a call.
9. Look out for blown fuses
If you notice a blown fuse, continuing to try and turn on the unit can lead to electric shocks, or worse, property damage. If you experience a blown fuse, make sure you hire a professional who has the tools and knowledge to keep you safe from electricity-related accidents.
10. Check for refrigerant leaks
Sometimes, the issue has nothing to do with the power supply and instead has to do with the supply of essential fluids needed to power your air conditioning unit.
While adding more refrigerant might be tempting, for safety purposes, doing so can be dangerous. The chemical compounds in refrigerant fluid can be harmful for the environment.
Having a professional who’s knowledgeable about the replacement and disposal of refrigerant fluid is key for ensuring the health and longevity for you and your air conditioning system.
Streamlined tips for better A/C care
Here’s a quick tip: air handlers don’t belong in some attics! Whenever it’s time to replace your A/C system, ask us about our attic-to-garage options.
Questions or concerns? Air conditioning unit still giving you trouble?
Whether you’re experiencing thermostat problems or your breaker tripped, having a working air conditioning system is key in our hot and humid Florida climate. If you’ve tried to fix your air conditioner and it still won’t work, you might try calling an HVAC professional.
The HVAC pros at Streamline Heating and Air have more than 20 years of dedicated experience helping Florida residents and commercial business owners improve their indoor air quality. Whether you need emergency HVAC service or a second or third opinion on which air conditioner brand to go with for your home, you can count on the Straightforward Professionals at Streamline Air to give you honest, helpful, and speedy service.
Contact us today for a zero-risk, no-obligation HVAC system consultation.