What should you check before calling an AC repair 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, 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).
• 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 for what to expect, or why your AC is blowing warm air for the common causes.