Air Conditioning Repair in the Bay Area, California

Man explaining AC options to a couple

How to Fix 3 Frequent Troubles

Diagnosing a problem and completing your own AC repair in the Bay Area, CA, can feel difficult. It doesn’t have to be like that.

There are several fast remedies you can try without help that may help you bypass an AC service call.

When you’re having air conditioning issues, use this troubleshooting list before contacting a heating and cooling repair specialist like Contra Costa Heating & AC.

Our experts are available at 510-343-9841 when you are looking for expert help. We have air conditioning repair and service most brands of central AC systems.

CALL TODAY 510-343-9841

If you want to buy a new air conditioning system, we also provide AC installation.

When you’re on the phone with us, ask about a regular AC maintenance plan that might help you avoid future malfunctions. We can advise how often you should have air conditioner service.

Prepared to get started finding the problem with your system? Try our easy guide below. Many of these procedures don’t require any mechanical expertise.

 

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist


1. AC Won’t Turn On

There can be a couple of reasons why your air conditioner won’t run: a blown circuit breaker, wrong thermostat settings, a switched off switch or an overfull condensate drain pan.

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Triggered Circuit Breaker

Your AC won’t work when you have a tripped breaker.

To find out if one has tripped, locate your house’s main electrical panel. You can spot this silver device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

  • Confirm your hands and feet are free of moisture before you touch the panel or breakers.
  • Look for the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s overloaded, the breaker will be in the "off" position.
  • Quickly move the lever back to the “on” location. If it instantaneously trips again, don’t reset it and get in touch with us at 510-343-9841. A breaker that keeps turning off might mean your home has electrical trouble.

incorrect thermostat icon Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your air conditioner to run, it won’t switch on.

The most important point is ensuring it’s switched to “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC will probably not switch on. You may also have warm air blowing from vents since the furnace is on instead.

If you’re using a traditional thermostat:

  • Replace the batteries if the screen is empty. If the readout is showing garbled numbers, replace the thermostat.
  • Check the proper mode is displaying. If you can’t alter it, override it by lowering the temperature and pushing the “hold” button. This will force your AC to work if programming is wrong.
  • Test setting the thermostat 5 degrees below the house’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat matches the room’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted correctly, you should receive chilled air fast.

If you have a smart thermostat, including ones manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for help. If you’re still having problems, contact us at 510-343-9841 for help.


switch icon Shut-Off Switch

Your air conditioner probably has a shut-down switch around its outside unit. This lever is commonly in a metal box mounted on your residence. If your air conditioner has recently been fixed, the lever may have inadvertently been turned off.


Blocked Condensate Drain Pan drain pan icon

Condensate drain pans hold the additional liquid your system takes out of the air. This pan can be positioned either under or in your furnace or air handler.

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

If your pan involves a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus water with a custom pan-cleaning tablet. You can purchase these tablets at a home improvement or hardware retailer.

If your pan has a pump, find the float switch. If the lever is “up” and there’s water in the pan, you may need to replace the pump. Call us at 510-343-9841 for assistance.


2. AC Blows Warm Air

If your AC is going but not providing cold air, its airflow might be obstructed. Or it could not have adequate refrigerant.

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Blocked Airflow

Your system’s airflow can be reduced by a clogged air filter or dusty condenser.

How to Replace Your Air Filter

A filthy filter can cause a lot of troubles, including:

  • Limited cooling
  • Frozen refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
  • Uneven cooling
  • Larger energy bills
  • Causing your system to break down faster

We propose installing new flat filters every four weeks, and pleated filters every three months.

If you can’t remember when you last replaced your filter, turn off your AC fully and remove the filter. You can find the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It could also be located in a connected filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you can’t see through it, you certainly should get a new one.

clean AC icon

4 Tips on Cleaning Your Air Conditioning Equipment

Brush, plants and shrubbery can get in the way of your condensing equipment. This can restrict its airflow, make it less energy efficient and affect your comfort. Here’s how you can get your unit running smoothly again.

  1. Shut off the electrical current totally at the breaker or outside device.
  2. Remove greenery waste around the AC. Once you’ve cleared larger debris within a two-foot radius, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to slowly remove dirt from the unit’s fins. Warped fins can also hurt performance.
  3. Use a hose nozzle to gingerly take off dirt on the fins from inside the system. Don’t get moisture on the fan motor.
  4. Turn on the power.
refrigerant icon

Insufficient Refrigerant

When cooling equipment doesn’t have ample refrigerant, they’ll struggle to remove heat and humidity from your space.

Here are several symptoms that your equipment is losing refrigerant:

  1. It takes too long to cool your rooms and you’re regularly lowering the thermostat.
  2. Cooling moving through the vents isn’t as chilled as it should be.
  3. You’re hearing fizzing or burbling racket when the air conditioning is on.
  4. Your evaporator coil is frozen as a result of having trouble handling heat.

Think your system is losing refrigerant? You need a authorized heating and cooling service expert to take care of the leak and refill the proper measurement of refrigerant in your equipment. Reach us at 510-343-9841 for help.

AC not blowing icon

3. AC Not Blowing Enough Air

When it seems like you’re not having adequate amounts of cold air, there’s probably an obstruction or disconnection somewhere in your cooling system.

  • The initial stage is examining your air filter. Get a new one if it’s dirty.
  • Make sure the registers are open throughout your residence.
  • If you’re still not experiencing adequate chilled air, you should have your ducts examined by a professional like Contra Costa Heating & AC. Your duct system might need to be serviced or relinked in limited space locations like your attic, basement or crawl space.

Request Professional Air Conditioner Repair Now

When you have to have air conditioning service fast, call the HVAC repair pros at Contra Costa Heating & AC at 510-343-9841. We’ll promptly determine the problem when your system won’t start or deliver adequate cool air.

CALL TODAY 510-343-9841

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