Causes Your AC Stopped Working Over the Winter

It won’t be AC season but, however gentle climate will quickly give option to summer time warmth. With that, typically older ACs work in another way than anticipated after they haven’t been turned on shortly. We discover seven doable causes and straightforward methods to organize your air conditioner for spring and summer time use.

7 Causes Your AC Isn’t Working After the Winter

Any equipment that sits dormant for a number of months, comparable to an air conditioner, might have a difficulty when turned on once more. Listed below are some causes your AC stopped working over winter:

1. Tripped Breaker

Energy surges after a storm or utilizing too many home equipment concurrently can journey breakers. Examine {the electrical} panel and if the air conditioner swap is within the ‘off’ place, flip it to ‘on.’ However, if the AC circuit journeys a number of instances, flip it off and as an alternative name an electrician. It’s often an indication the circuit is overloaded and will trigger {an electrical} fireplace if turned on.

2. Emergency Energy Cutoff Swap

The air handler, discovered inside your property, and the condenser unit, situated exterior, each have emergency energy cutoff switches. These are supposed to be flipped in an emergency, comparable to {an electrical} concern. However when you or another person was round both a part of the AC, cleansing up the yard across the condenser, the swap might need been turned off by chance.

3. Climate Harm

It doesn’t take a raging storm to trigger injury to the condenser situated exterior of your property. Winds can blow leaves, twigs, and different small particles into the unit, which clogs drains, filters, and fan blades. Since most AC techniques have many automated shutoff factors programmed, if the condenser fan blades are jammed, all the system received’t activate.

4. Blower Motor Failure

The blower motor works year-round to assist present heating and cooling to your property. It receives energy from the capacitor, which fees the motor. In case your HVAC system is outdated or hasn’t had constant tune-ups, the capacitor and blower motor may fail after shifting heat air all winter.

5. Refrigerant Leak

Though a refrigerant leak may cause the coils to freeze, it’s extra more likely to trigger the AC to blow heat air. With out sufficient refrigerant within the coils to chill the inbound heat air, the system can solely blow the identical heat air again into your property. The leak ought to solely be repaired by a skilled HVAC technician because it requires recharging the system’s refrigerant.

6. Clogged Condensate Line and Drain Pan

If you happen to or an HVAC technician didn’t clear the condensate line and drain pan after final season, it could possibly be clogged with gunk. Most air conditioner techniques have an automated shutoff characteristic when these block up.

7. Clogged Air Filter

Irrespective of how a lot your furnace labored throughout the winter, the air filter labored much more. When you have but to take a look at or change the filter since earlier than the winter, chances are high it’s, at minimal, fairly soiled, if not clogged. With out ample airflow into the system, the coils freeze up, and the AC received’t activate.

4 Methods to Put together Your AC for Spring

1. Clear particles across the condenser

Even when your condenser is tucked away throughout the winter with a canopy, it’s important to wash away particles. Use a brush or broom to gently wipe down the condenser sides and a dustpan or bag to gather fallen particles. It’s beneficial to maintain not less than two toes of unobstructed house across the condenser, so trim again encroaching bushes, vegetation, and timber.

2. Change the air filter

As talked about earlier than, the air filter performs an enormous position in a purposeful air conditioner. At a minimal, change the filter each three months, however sooner is healthier, comparable to bi-monthly. Set a calendar reminder in your cellphone, and your AC will thanks with snug indoor temperatures throughout the warmth of the 12 months.

3. Check Your Thermostat’s Cool Setting

This easy step is a good way to make sure the air conditioner is prepared for spring. Flip the thermostat from warmth to chill and look forward to the system to modify over. After a couple of minutes, verify an air vent for cool air — whether it is, nice! If not, one thing’s improper with the air conditioner. Or, if the AC doesn’t activate in any respect, that’s a surefire signal there’s a difficulty on your HVAC technician.

4. Schedule a tune-up

Bi-annual HVAC tune-ups are one of the best ways to make sure your air conditioner activates this spring. Throughout this method verify, an HVAC technician inspects the air handler, condenser, and all internal workings for seen and potential points. They’ll additionally provide options meant to enhance effectivity, which saves you cash within the short- and long run.

In case your air conditioner doesn’t activate after its winter hibernation, you understand seven doable causes to search for. And if it does, it’s time to get it prepared for the spring and summer time to come back!

Searching for AC restore or upkeep? Contact Service Champions!