Several different kinds of problems can occur with a central air conditioner system:
- AC not working at all
- AC not cooling well but runs
- Room temperature too hot or too cold
- Water leaks from air conditioner
- Air conditioner makes strange noises
- Air conditioner won’t turn off
If the central air conditioner won’t go on automatically when the thermostat signals the need for cooling:
Check the main electrical panel and any secondary circuit panels for a tripped breaker or blown fuse. If you find the problem there, reset the breaker by turning it off and then on or replace the fuse. A Las Vegas central air conditioner typically connects to a dedicated 240-volt circuit. If the breaker continues to trip, suspect a short in the system—in the compressor, capacitor, or the fan motor. Hire an electrician to track down and solve this problem.
Make sure the thermostat is set to COOL and its temperature setting is at least 3 degrees below the ambient room temperature. Make sure the power is on. Check the switch in the furnace or air handler, and the outdoor condenser. Also make sure no one has shut off the compressor’s 240-volt disconnect, typically in a metal box mounted near the compressor.
Remove the thermostat’s cover after turning off the power to the air conditioner. Make sure all wires securely attach to their terminals and that the cover won’t pinch them. Replace the cover and wait 3 or 4 minutes, and then try the system again.
If that doesn’t do the job, open the thermostat and unscrew the wire from the Y terminal. Turn the power back on. Holding the wire by its insulation only, touch the bare end to the R terminal and hold it there for about two minutes. If the compressor kicks on, the thermostat is faulty; replace it. If the compressor doesn’t go on when you hold the Y wire to the R terminal, turn the power back off and either call an air-conditioning technician or check the capacitor.
Check the compressor’s capacitor and wires. The capacitor in the compressor starts both the condenser and the fan. If the capacitor has failed, the central air conditioner unit will not run. It’s very easy to test whether it works and it is cheap and easy to fix if it doesn’t.
Central air conditioner systems consist of two major components: a condensing unit that sits outside your house, and the evaporator coil (often referred to as an A-coil) that sits in the plenum of your furnace or air handler. The refrigerant in the A-coil picks up the heat from your home and moves it to the outdoor condensing unit. The condensing unit fan blows outside air through the condensing coil to remove the heat. The condensing unit houses the three parts replaceable by: the contactor, the start/run capacitor(s) and the condenser fan motor. The condensing unit also houses the compressor, but only a pro can replace that. The A-coil has no parts that can be serviced.
Annual Las Vegas central air conditioner maintenance saves you money by increasing its efficiency and preventing breakdowns.
