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Is your central air conditioner not turning on?
Don’t panic; we are here to help. At Lehigh HVAC, we have fixed hundreds of air conditioners with similar issues. Here is our comprehensive guide on why your AC won’t turn on and how you can get it fixed. The blog is helpful for the entire USA, primarily designed for commercial HVAC customers across New Jersey.
Multiple causes prevent an AC from turning on. We will explore different scenarios one by one and present the best possible solution to each.
This is one of the most common reasons for an AC that doesn’t start. This is also the step we recommend checking at first when you notice such issues. A tripped circuit breaker, wiring problems, sparks in circuits, and electrical overload are some causes that cut off the power supply to an HVAC appliance.
How to Fix It: Don’t rush for an AC repair service. First, check that your circuit breaker is not tripping, the electrical supply is sufficient, and the wires are not sparking. If you notice any electrical issues, get them fixed by an electrician.
There are many scenarios when a blown fuse doesn’t allow your air conditioner to kick on. This tiny fuse acts as a sacrificial lamb and is designed to protect your expensive appliance from major HVAC failure. When too much current passes through your central AC unit, the metallic wire inside the fuse melts and cuts off the power supply. As a result, your AC refuses to start.
How to Fix It: The only solution is to replace your fuse and restore the functionality.
Almost all the operations of a central air conditioner are dictated by the thermostat. This is the digital control panel of the system. You set your desired temperature range, fan setting, and mode settings according to your choice. These settings are then used by the system to cool the space and optimize refrigeration cycles. When the thermostat setting is inaccurate, the supply is not sufficient, or the batteries are dead, the entire pathway is blocked. As a result, AC is unable to start its operations.
How to Fix It: Visually inspect the thermostat setting and its components, such as batteries. Reset the settings or adjust them according to your needs. Hiring a professional technician is recommended, especially if the thermostat is a modern, programmable one.
Many customers think that air filter blockages are limited only to HVAC performance. This is not true at all. Clogged air filters are the primary cause of countless issues, such as reduced performance, an increase in energy bills, faster component wear, early aging of the system, and your AC not turning on. If you ignore clogged filters for longer periods, your current system might face a complete failure, pushing you towards a new AC installation. The reason behind this malfunction is the blocked air conditioning pathway — the core process of the cooling mechanism.
How to Fix It: Clean the air filters regularly. We recommend inspecting filters every month and replacing them at least every 1 to 3 months, depending on the saturation of dirt and pollens in your region.
There are chances that your AC is not turning on because a component is not working properly. This happens so often if the faulty component is a capacitor or a contactor. When either of these two or the associated component is damaged, sufficient power is not delivered to the unit. As a result, the AC doesn’t start its operation at all.
How to Fix It: Hiring a licensed professional is recommended, as dealing with internal components is a very critical task. The technician will inspect components, identify the damage, and suggest a repair or replacement to you.
A refrigerant leak doesn’t itself have a direct link with the system turning on/off. However, when there is a significant leakage, the system shuts down automatically due to a safety check. The system then doesn’t turn on until the refrigerant levels are normal again and the leaks are fixed.
How to Fix It: Dealing with refrigerants is extremely hazardous. Book a technician who is certified by the EPA and follows the safety protocols. Make sure the technician first identifies the pinholes in the refrigerant tube and seals those fixes or replaces the entire tube. At the last step, get the refrigerant topped off to make it to the normal level again.
Whenever you notice your central air conditioner is not turning on, just open this blog and start inspecting your system with respect to the causes mentioned above. Check the thermostat setting, circuit breaker, motor components, capacitor, contactor, fuse, air filters, and refrigerant issues one by one. Once you have identified the culprit, get it fixed by DIY or a professional service. For simple issues such as a clogged air filter, a DIY is satisfactory. For complex issues such as faulty components or refrigerant leaks, booking a professional HVAC service is recommended.
If you are still stuck at some point, we are pleased to help you. Ring us a bell at 484-961-7044, and we will be there for your assistance in no time.
