1 of 07 Troubleshooting a Central Air Conditioning System

If your central air-conditioning system suddenly losing cooling power, you may be able to troubleshoot the causes yourself, and in some cases even fix the problem without calling an HVAC professional. Knowing a little about your home air conditioning system will make troubleshooting easier. Problems can occur in any of the major components of the system:

• Refrigerant
• Compressor
• Condenser
• Expansion valve
• Evaporator coil

In addition, there is the “brain” of your heating and cooling system—the thermostat—which can also be an issue at times.
The place to start, though, is with the precise symptom of the malfunction.

2 of 07 If the Air Conditioning System Will Not Turn On

Ensure the thermostat itself is in the COOL position and not set to OFF or HEAT.
Confirm that the thermostat is set below the current room temperature.
Check to make that the 240-volt circuit breaker (double-pole breaker) controlling the air-conditioning compressor/condensing unit and the 120-volt circuit breaker controlling the furnace blower or separate air handler is in the ON positions. If a circuit breaker has tripped or a fuse is blown, then reset the circuit breaker or replace the fuse. If you reset the breaker or replace the fuse and they trip or blow again, stop and call an air-conditioning service technician, as you may have a more serious problem, such as a short circuit.

3 of 07 If There is Poor Airflow From Cooling Vents

Confirm that the air filter in the air handler is clean. If it’s dirty, clean, or replace the air filter.
Visually inspect all ductwork to make sure it has not become disconnected or crimped. This includes ductwork that may be in the hard-to-reach attic, basement, or crawl-space areas. Repair or connect ductwork as needed.
Check register dampers on vents in the rooms to make sure they are fully open.

4 of 07 If the Air Conditioner Does Not Dehumidify Air (Oversized System)

The only real solution is to replace the condensing unit and coils with a properly sized system. You can also try to increase the cooling load artificially, such as by extending air conditioning to our garage or basement space with additional ductwork.

5 of 07 If the Air Conditioner Does Not Dehumidify Air

Poor dehumidification can also be caused by excessive humidity in the home. This may be caused by water leaks or open windows during humid periods, or by a lack of proper condensate drainage from your evaporator coil in the furnace’s plenum. A properly functioning cooling unit produces condensate and drains it away. If your unit is not producing condensate, it’s cooling and dehumidification functions are not working properly.
Possible Solutions
Ensure all windows are closed so humid air does not come into the home.
Check to make sure that condensate drainage is working properly.
Add supplemental dehumidification with a portable dehumidifier.

6 of 07 If There is Inadequate Cooling With a Long Compressor Cycle

Inadequate cooling coupled with a long ON cycle of the compressor is a sign of a worn-out compressor that has lost its ability to compress the refrigerant. The compressor is found in the outdoor housing unit, and if you hear it running excessively without enough cool air flowing inside the house, you know you have a problem.
Possible Solutions
Have a service technician test the compressor and possibly replace the part.

7 of 07 If Compressor Cycle Is Too Short

A short-cycling compressor—one that turns on and off frequently—can be caused by an obstructed thermostat, leaking refrigerant, iced coils, or, in some cases, an oversized cooling system.
Possible Solutions
Ensure the thermostat is not obstructed.
Check the condenser fins in the outside condensing unit to make sure they are not dirty or excessively bent; repair bent fins with a fin comb.
Replace the air filter in the air handler if it is dirty.
Have a service technician check for an incorrect refrigerant charge or refrigerant leaks.
Replace an oversized condensing unit and coils with a properly sized unit (requires a service technician).