The last thing anyone wants to face during summer is an AC breakdown or when it just flat out refuses to turn on. Unfortunately, these things do happen and leave us in a spin. The good news is that you can avoid most of these issues with timely AC maintenance. If you believe that to be a waste of your time and hard-earned money, good luck to you. Without much further ado, allow us to enlighten you about the 8 common reasons that prevent the AC from turning on.
8 Common Reasons Your Air Conditioner Refuses To Turn On
1. No Power
– Have you ever thought the AC not switching on is a power-related issue? Most of us don’t think along these lines. We just assume the worst and start getting worried. On many occasions, the AC won’t turn on because:
The power in your area is down.
The power cable of the AC, its plug, or the socket may have developed some issues.
The air conditioner’s circuit breaker could have tripped due to a power surge in the area or some other reason.
The whole point is that it is best to consider the option that the AC is not turning on because it is not receiving power. This one small consideration can save you from a lot of discomfort and an unnecessary visit by the HVAC technician. Once the power is restored, the AC will start working.
2. Thermostat Issues
– The thermostat, the primary device that communicates with the AC, too, could be the reason for the AC not working.
When the thermostat batteries die, it can no longer send a signal to the AC to start cooling. As a result, the AC won’t turn on.
Dust inside the thermostat could also be preventing the device from working properly. Dirty contacts mean faulty signals or no signals to the AC at all.
At times the wires inside the thermostat become loose or disconnected altogether. In this case, also the communication with the AC gets affected.
3. Low Refrigerant Level
– Refrigerant is the air conditioner’s cooling liquid. If it is not present in the AC in the required quantity, the unit will not provide any cooling. Due to corrosion or some forceful impact, the refrigerant line can develop cracks. From these cracks, the coolant or the refrigerant flows out, resulting in a drop in its level.
When the unit is low on refrigerant, its in-built safety mechanism prevents it from switching on. This is a good thing because it prevents further damage to the AC. But, repairing the refrigerant line and recharging it is the work of professionals only. Hence, if you suspect a refrigerant leak, book an appointment with your trusted HVAC technician.
4. Dead AC Capacitor
– If you hear clicking sounds coming from the condenser unit when you switch on the AC, but nothing happens beyond that, it means you may be dealing with a dead capacitor. The following reasons contribute to a dead or faulty capacitor –
It is a heat-sensitive device, and sadly, it has to bear a lot of heat due to constant exposure to the sun.
Power fluctuations and outages, too, harm the capacitor. Nevertheless, installing surge protectors can be a lifesaver.
Refrain from setting too high or too low temperatures on the coldest and hottest days. It will prevent overworking and, consequently, overheating of the unit, which, in turn, means longer capacitor life.
Finally, if your capacitor is old, it can and will die anytime. There’s not much you can do apart from swapping it with a new one.
5. Filthy Air Filters
– Clogged air filters mean insufficient airflow. It means your AC is not receiving nor sending enough air. This results in the freezing of the outdoor unit. In turn, the unit is forced to work harder, leading to a system failure or the AC not turning on.
Tackling filthy air filters is easy. You can do this yourself. Just buy new ones of the exact specifications as the old ones and swap them out. That’s all it takes to deal with it. For best results, switch them out monthly or quarterly, depending on how frequently your air filters get dirty.
6. Dirty AC
– When the AC lies dormant, dust accumulates inside it. Often it results in dirty contacts, fan not being able to rotate, AC not switching on, etc. If dust is indeed the culprit, the only way to handle this issue is by giving your system an intense cleaning session. But for this, you need an expert’s help as it will involve opening up the AC.
Timely regular maintenance will also help ensure the cleanliness of the cooling system. Therefore try to schedule it right before the start of the hot season.
7. Blocked Drainline
– Drainline discards the moisture extracted from the hot indoor air and drains it outside. Nonetheless, sometimes blockages happen in it, preventing the water from draining. It collects in the drip tray and overflows.
As a precautionary measure, the float switch is triggered, preventing the AC from starting. Until the blockage is cleaned and the water in the drip tray drains outside, the AC will not switch on.
8. Motor Issues
– The AC motor is sealed to prevent any damage to it from the elements of nature. Yet, due to age and sometimes neglect, the motor seal comes undone, and that’s the root of the AC not turning on.
When the seal of the motor comes off, the lubrication oil inside it leaks. This forces the motor and consequently the AC to stop working.
Bottomline
When your air conditioner doesn’t turn on, take a deep breath and get started. Check whether the unit is receiving power. If yes, check the thermostat settings. If that is also okay, check the condition of the air filters. If all these things seem to be fine, call your HVAC technician.
Commercial and residential building owners in West Palm Beach, Florida, can depend on the expertise of Aztil Air Conditioning in case of any HVAC problems. We are a reputed, licensed, and insured contractor who deals in installations, repairs, and maintenance of HVAC systems. With us by your side, you have nothing to worry about. Call +1-888-729-8452 and book an appointment today.
