DIY

• Be sure it is set to Cool.
• Replace the batteries and see if that fixes the issue. If your thermostat isn’t battery powered, or if a battery replacement doesn’t resolve the problem, reset the thermostat according to manufacturer instructions.
• If resetting the thermostat doesn’t solve the problem, check your indoor electrical system. Make sure your breakers are all set to “on” and be sure to check for any tripped circuits.
• If your thermostat still doesn’t turn on, shut off the power and call the experts at Aristotle Air.

• If your AC system turns on but doesn’t blow out cold air, ensure all the vents are open and the thermostat is set to cool. Next check the air filter. If it’s clogged with dirt or debris, you won’t get any air flow.
• This may cause the evaporator coils to freeze, the ice and frost will clog the air flow even more. Clean and change your filter often to avoid that problem in the future. You may also have a problem with the fan or fan motor outside. If the fan turns easily, you may have a problem getting electrical power to the motor or a leak in the refrigerant line. In these cases, you’ll probably require a qualified HVAC technician to come inspect the unit.

• Check your vents to make sure all of them are open. If even one of them is closed, it can make it more difficult to cool your entire home, since the warm air from the room with the closed vent will mix with the cooled air from the others. Otherwise, you may have another problem, such as a leak in your refrigerant line. If your system is old or was installed improperly, it may be wearing out or is the wrong size.
• Are your filters clean? Be sure dirty filters aren’t reducing your AC efficiency
• You might also have a leak in your duct work. Aging duct work can develop cracks that allow your cooled air to escape before getting into the home.

Your condensate drain line might be clogged up, causing water to back up into your home. Turn your unit off. DIYers can try using a wet/dry vacuum to unclog the line. If that doesn’t work, your drain pan may have rusted out or your condensate pump may have broken down.

On hot or humid days, you might see a little puddle of water under your condenser unit. In hot, humid weather, that’s normal, as long as it only forms while the unit is working. In cool weather—usually, 60 degrees or less—an air conditioner can freeze up, causing the unit to leak water when it melts which is also normal. If it’s leaking in other circumstances, try cleaning or replacing your air filters. If that doesn’t fix the problem, schedule a diagnostic call with Aristotle Air. You may need more refrigerant, have a blockage in your drain pipe, or have a broken condensate pan.

If your system is low on refrigerant or has a dirty filter, the system may freeze up when it’s working. After you turn it off, the ice melts, causing it to leak water. Don’t risk water damage from your air conditioner leaking water on the floor or ceiling. If cleaning your filter doesn’t help, call Aristotle Air to identify and fix the problem. As with outside leaks, you may have a blockage or a broken condensate pan.

If your AC stays on longer than it should, you may have a dirty filter. Change or clean your filter to see if that resolves the problem. If your system is older or improperly sized, it also can cause the system to work too hard, cycle too often, and have difficulty shutting off.

• If your central air system doesn’t come on, it may be as simple as to adjust the thermostat. If that doesn’t work try these items
• Examine the external wiring and make sure it’s all intact — sometimes, animals can chew on wires and cause damage to your unit. If all looks good, check your home’s electrical wiring for a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. Reset the power in your home and see if that fixes the issue.

If your AC indoor fan isn’t working, first check to make sure a breaker hasn’t been tripped. If all is OK, check your air filter. If it’s blocked, then you may be able to fix it yourself. If there’s ice on the evaporator coil and refrigerant lines, allow the ice to melt, then check again to see if the fan is working. If it isn’t working, that might have caused your coil to freeze. A frozen coil requires a service call, because we may need to replace the contacts inside the fan relay, the fan belt, or even the motor itself.

• When your AC isn’t cooling properly, you may want to check your outdoor unit. If the outdoor fan isn’t spinning, first check the breaker or fuse box. If a reset doesn’t correct the problem, there may be a couple of problems at work here.
• Start capacitor not working: If your compressor is still working, your fan’s motor or start capacitor may not be working. If it still doesn’t start to spin, you need to call Aristotle Air. Turn your unit off until we come. If you don’t, you risk burning out your compressor—a major repair.
• Outdoor fan motor stuck: Dirt or rust may have caused the fan to get stuck. If the unit requires more extensive repairs, you may need to repair or replace the outdoor fan motor but we can assist with a parts replacement.