Categories: hvac

How to Troubleshoot an Outdoor AC Unit That Won’t Turn On

This may have happened to you at some point: your air conditioner’s indoor unit appears to be running fine, but it’s not blowing cold air. Then you check the outdoor unit and it seems to be turned off. Before you call for repairs, read this quick guide shared by Amber Air Conditioning Inc. on how to troubleshoot this problem.

Troubleshooting the Outdoor Unit

Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit could have stopped working due to an issue with the electrical system, which may have left the outdoor unit out of sync with its indoor counterpart. First, check your thermostat and make sure it’s not accidentally set to “cool”. This usually sets the temperature a few degrees warmer than the default setting and may result in the outdoor unit running for longer than usual. You’ll also want to reset your thermostat for good measure.

It’s also possible that the circuit breaker may have been tripped. In either case, your first troubleshooting step is to reset the circuit breaker from the panel. Your air conditioner may have its own circuit breaker located near the outdoor unit. If you have a mini-split system, you should feel cool air coming from the indoor unit after a few minutes. It may take longer if you have a whole-home air conditioner. If there’s a problem with the electrical panel, call a local electrician. In the meantime, open your windows to allow cool air into the room and maintain good indoor air quality.

Should You Call an HVAC Technician?

If restarting your air conditioner and addressing electrical issues don’t solve the problem, the issue may be caused by fan malfunction, a leaking refrigerant line or a broken compressor. If this is the case, call your HVAC technician, stop using the air conditioner for the moment and make an appointment. If the problem is caused by a leaking refrigerant line, continuing to use the air conditioner may result in the loss of refrigerant, which could increase the AC workload and consume more energy.

Call Amber for Your Heating & Cooling Needs

Amber Air Conditioning Inc. is your leading provider of heating and air conditioning services. Give us a call at (951) 674-6974. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Lake Elsinore, Temecula, and Corona, CA.

Ed Lambert

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