AC Repair in Richmond, BC: How to Fix 3 Typical Issues

There can be a few reasons why your air conditioning system won’t cool: an overloaded circuit breaker, incorrect thermostat settings, a turned off switch or a full condensate drain pan.

Your system won’t run when you have a tripped breaker.

To check if one has gotten overloaded, go to your residence’s main electrical panel. You can spot this silver fixture on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

• Confirm your hands and feet are dry before you check the panel or breakers.
• Find the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s overloaded the breaker will be in the in between or “off” position.
• Firmly move the lever back to the “on” spot. If it instantly triggers again, don’t touch it and call us at 778-693-2532. A switch that keeps turning off could signal your house has an electrical issue.

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your system to start, it won’t activate.

The first part is checking it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your air conditioner will probably not switch on. Or you may receive. hot air coming from vents being the heater is going instead.

If you rely on a regular thermostat:

• Replace the batteries if the monitor is blank. If the monitor is showing jumbled characters, buy a new thermostat.
• Make sure the proper program is on the display. If you can’t update it, reverse it by decreasing the temperature and pressing the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if programming is not right.
• Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees cooler than the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t work if the thermostat is set the same as the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted properly, you should receive cold air promptly.

If you have a smart thermostat, like one produced by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, go to the manufacturer’s website for assistance. If it still won’t work, contact us at 778-693-2532 for support.

Your system typically has a shut-down device near its outside unit. This switch is typically in a metal box hung on your house. If your equipment has recently been repaired, the lever may have accidentally been left in the “off” position.

Condensate drain pans hold the additional condensation your system pulls from the air. This pan is located either below or within your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a clog or blocked drain, water can become concentrated and initiate a safety feature to stop your equipment.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can clear the additional liquid with a special pan-cleaning tab. You can purchase these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan includes a pump, look for the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you might have to replace the pump. Contact us at 778-693-2532 for help.

If your system is running but not delivering cold air, its airflow might be blocked. Or it might not have adequate refrigerant.

Your unit’s airflow can be reduced by a plugged air filter or dirty condenser.

A dusty filter can create numerous troubles, such as:

• Lower airflow
• Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
• Inconsistent cooling
• Bigger energy bills
• Causing your system to wear out faster

We recommend installing new flat filters monthly, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t remember when you last changed yours, switch off your AC fully and take out the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be located in an adjoining filter case or wall-mounted return air grille.

Hold the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see through it you need to get a new one.

Weeds, plants and shrubbery can obstruct your condensing equipment. This could restrict its airflow, make it less energy efficient and impact your comfort. Here’s a way you can get your unit working properly again.

1. Turn off power fully at the breaker or outdoor lever.
2. Remove yard debris around the unit. Once you’ve removed all the debris within a two-foot space, you can use a paint brush or vacuum to carefully remove dirt from the condenser fins. Warped fins can also impact performance, so you can attempt to correct them with a small knife.
3. Use a hose nozzle to slowly remove gunk off the fins from inside the unit. Make sure to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
4. Install the top again and restore the power.

When cooling systems don’t have adequate refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from the air.

Here are several flags that your unit is seeping refrigerant:

1. It takes a long time to refresh your space and you’re continually turning down the thermostat.
2. Air conditioning coming through the vents isn’t as chilly as it should be.
3. You’re hearing hissing or burbling racket when the AC works.
4. Your evaporator coil is frosted due to having trouble taking on warmth.

Think your equipment is losing refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service professional to take care of the leak and refill the right level of refrigerant in your system. Reach us at 778-693-2532 for support.

When it seems like you’re not having ample amounts of cool air, there’s probably an obstruction or disconnection somewhere in your AC unit.

• The beginning stage is checking your air filter. Replace it if it’s dirty.
• Then make sure the vents are free throughout your residence.
• If you’re still not getting adequate chilled air, you should have your ductwork inspected by a specialist like Refrigeration Systems Ltd.. Your ductwork may need to be serviced or relinked in limited space spots like your attic, basement or crawl space.