# What to Check Before Calling an AC Repair Technician

> Six safe checks before you call for AC repair: thermostat, air filter, breakers, outdoor unit, frozen coil, and condensate drain. What not to touch, and when to call.

URL: https://georgiahvacrepair.us/guides/what-to-check-before-calling-ac-repair/

**Short answer:** Check that the thermostat is set to Cool and below room temperature, replace a dirty filter, reset a tripped AC breaker once, clear debris from the outdoor unit, thaw a frozen coil by running only the fan, and look for a full condensate pan. Leave refrigerant, electrical parts, and gas lines to a technician.

[Georgia HVAC Repair](/) is an independent referral service that connects Georgia homeowners with participating independent HVAC contractors. Before you pay a diagnostic fee, which commonly runs $75–$200 per [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/repair-an-ac-unit/), these six checks take about 15 minutes and sometimes solve the problem.

## 1. The thermostat

- Set to **Cool**, not Heat, Off, or Fan.
- Set the temperature a few degrees **below** the current room temperature.
- Set the fan to **Auto**.
- Replace the batteries if the screen is dim, blank, or flashing.
- For a smart thermostat, check that a schedule or app setting isn't overriding you.

## 2. The air filter

Pull the filter, usually at the return grille or in a slot at the air handler or furnace. If it's gray or you can't see light through it, replace it. A clogged filter is one of the most common causes of weak cooling and frozen coils.

## 3. The breakers

Check the breaker panel for the AC (outdoor unit) and the air handler or furnace. Many systems also have a **disconnect switch** in a box near the outdoor unit, and furnaces often have a **service switch** that looks like a light switch. Make sure they're on.

**Reset a tripped breaker only once.** If it trips again, stop and call a technician.

## 4. The outdoor unit

Clear leaves, grass clippings, and debris from around the outdoor unit, and trim shrubs back a couple of feet. If it's running, listen: an outdoor unit that hums but whose fan doesn't spin usually has a failed capacitor or motor. Call a technician; don't open the panel.

## 5. Ice on the lines or coil

Look at the copper lines at the outdoor unit and, if you can see it, the indoor coil. Ice means turn cooling **off** and run only the fan to thaw it, which can take a few hours. Replace the filter. If ice comes back, call for service.

## 6. The condensate drain

Air conditioners in humid Georgia remove a lot of water. Check the drain pan under the indoor unit. Many systems have a **float switch** that shuts the AC off when the pan fills. If the pan is full or water is on the floor, turn the system off and call; a clogged drain line needs clearing.

## What not to touch

- **Refrigerant.** Adding it requires EPA Section 608 certification, and low refrigerant means a leak that needs repair ([EPA](https://www.epa.gov/ods-phaseout/homeowners-and-consumers-frequently-asked-questions)).
- **Capacitors and electrical panels.** Capacitors can hold a dangerous charge even with the power off.
- **Gas lines and burners.** If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside.

## Still not working?

Call a technician, and tell them what you already checked; it speeds up the diagnosis. See [AC repair](/ac-repair/) for what to expect, or [why your AC is blowing warm air](/guides/why-is-my-ac-blowing-warm-air/) for the common causes.

## Quick answers

**Is it safe to reset my AC breaker?**

Resetting it once is generally fine. If it trips again, leave it off and call a technician. Repeated tripping points to an electrical fault, a failing compressor, or a short.

**How do I thaw a frozen AC coil?**

Set the thermostat to Off for cooling and turn the fan to On so air flows over the coil. Thawing can take a few hours. Replace the filter. If it freezes again, call a technician; the likely causes are airflow problems or low refrigerant.

**What should I never do myself?**

Don't add refrigerant (it requires EPA certification, and low refrigerant means a leak), open electrical panels or touch capacitors (they hold a charge), or work on gas lines or burners. Leave those to a licensed contractor.

Referral disclosure: Georgia HVAC Repair is an independent referral service. We help connect homeowners with participating HVAC service providers and may receive compensation for referrals. Repairs and other services are performed by independent contractors. Phone: (770) 679-7684.