Common Central Air Conditioning Problems

No cool air? You might be able to fix it yourself.

This has been a summer for the record books, and it isn’t over yet. In Jefferson County and all throughout the Eastern Panhandle region, central air conditioners have been running overtime to keep Roach Energy customers as comfortable as possible on sizzling afternoons.

Our HVAC team has also been on the road, constantly answering emergency no-A/C calls. We appreciate that losing your home cooling in these types of conditions can be a serious health and safety concern, and we take our role as A/C repair partners seriously. But there are some A/C fixes you can do yourself with a little troubleshooting. Following these instructions can save you money by avoiding a professional A/C repair visit.

Central A/C won’t come on.

Is your central cooling equipment not turning on during a hot afternoon? There may be some easy-to-remedy causes that you can address yourself. Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check your thermostat. Firstly, make sure you’re seeing a reading on its digital screen. It may need new batteries or be disconnected from its power source. Then, confirm that it’s set to “air conditioning,” “cool” or “fan” mode. Finally, ensure that the thermostat temperature is at least 5 degrees lower than the current room temperature.
2. Confirm your central A/C is receiving power. Look at your home’s circuit breaker or fuse box and confirm that the breaker powering your A/C equipment hasn’t tripped or its fuse hasn’t blown. Take a look at the power switches on your indoor and outdoor equipment and make sure they’re set to “on.”

Central A/C system is running, but it’s blowing warm or weak air?

A running central A/C isn’t much use if the air coming from your vents isn’t cooling down your rooms. Here are a few DIY steps that might fix this problem:

1. Check your thermostat settings as described above. Is the thermostat set to “air conditioning,” “cool” or “fan” mode? Is the temperature set at least 5 degrees below the current room temperature?
2. Make sure your vents are open and unobstructed. They could be blocked by furniture, house plants or area rugs.
3. Check your A/C system’s airflow. You should check your HVAC air filter monthly to ensure it isn’t clogged. A dirty filter can block airflow. Depending on your system’s instructions, either clean or replace a clogged filter. It’s also a good idea to check your outdoor A/C unit and clear away any plant life, yard waste or trash that could be clogging it. This unit needs 18 to 30 inches of clear space around it to “breathe.”

When should you call Roach Energy for a central A/C repair?

If none of these troubleshooting steps work, there could be a problem with your cooling equipment that requires a professional HVAC technician. These problems can include worn or broken parts, frayed wires or low refrigerant.

The experts at Roach Energy can identify what’s causing your A/C issue and repair it quickly. We’re also here to perform routine maintenance (recommended once a year) to keep your A/C system running at peak efficiency and for the longest possible lifespan. When you come to Roach Energy for your A/C service needs, you can avoid future repairs and enjoy lower energy bills through the summer.

If your central A/C equipment needs attention from an experienced professional, we are here to help. Reach out to Roach Energy to arrange service. You’ll be happy you chose us!