Until cooler weather replaces our dwindling air-conditioning season, keeping your unit working well is key. So these troubleshooting tips may come in handy. Contact Cooper Climate Control if your do-it-yourself (DIY) attempts don’t restore proper operation. Our repair experts will fix any A/C problem so your home will be comfortable again.

Non-Working Central Air

Your air conditioning won’t come on when your thermostat indicates you need cooling? Either your thermostat is faulty or your unit isn’t receiving power. Try these tricks:

 1. Set your thermostat on COOL. Lower the temperature below the actual indoor reading.

 2. Inspect your unit’s electrical any other circuit panels. To reset tripped breakers, flip them off and back on again. Replace blown fuses.

3. Check your furnace, outdoor condenser, and disconnect near your compressor. All power switches must be in their ON positions.

4. Turn off power to your A/C. To disassemble your thermostat, pull its cover away from the baseplate. If it runs on batteries, replace them. Reattach the body. Wait 3 to 4 minutes. Retry your system.

5. Remove the thermostat cover again. Unscrew the Y terminal’s wire. Turn on the power. Gripping the insulated wire portion, hold the bare wire end against the R terminal for two minutes. Your faulty thermostat requires replacement if your compressor starts. Watch this how-to video about installing a programmable thermostat.

 6. Hold both wires together. If that doesn’t kick on your compressor, call Cooper Climate Control.

No Blowing Air

Even though your air handler motor is running, your blower doesn’t move air? The A/C blower belt connecting them probably broke. To replace it:

 1. Shut off power to your unit. If a gas furnace serves as your air handler, turn off the gas valve.

 2. Remove the air-handler cabinet’s front door. Note the blower belt’s number. Buy a replacement.

 3. Slip the new belt onto the motor’s small pulley. Holding the band in place, rotate the large pulley manually until the belt slips around it. Check the directions for proper tension.

4. Lubricate. Follow your maintenance manual’s instructions about oiling the bearings unless yours are sealed.

Poor Cooling

An air conditioner emitting audible running sounds that isn’t cooling well could have a few issues. Try these fixes:

 1. Ensure that your air handler filter is clean to receive proper airflow.

 2. Turn off power to your air conditioner. Open your air-handler cabinet’s front door and remove the filter. Replace or clean it.

 3. Inspect the coil area for ice buildup. Close your unit if it’s there. Turning on the power and fan should melt that ice in a few hours.

 4. Clear your condensate drain. Because your A/C removes moisture from indoor air, excess water can cause problems. Algae may be blocking your drainpipe. Water might pool around your unit. The Leaking Water section below will help you resolve condensate problems.

  5. Be sure your compressor is running. Set your thermostat below room temperature. Listen for your outdoor compressor. For a motionless fan, reset the overload switch button. Inserting a screwdriver between the top grates, turn the fan’s blades clockwise. When that starts the fan, call Cooper Climate Control to replace your defective capacitor.

 6. If cooling problems continue, ask our professionals about recharging your coolant.

Water Leaks

A/C condensation travels through a drainpipe from your air handler to a condensate pump, floor drain, or near your outdoor compressor. Water accumulating at your air handler’s base indicates a condensate pump overflow, leaking drainpipe, or obstruction. To clear your drainpipe:

 1. Inspect your condensate pump. Be sure its plug has a secure connection in a working outlet. Reconnect a loose drainpipe to your pump. If algae are clogging the pump or tube, suck all water from the pipe with a wet vac or replace the tubing.

 2. Test your pump. When dispensing water into the collector doesn’t start the pump, it may be stuck. Unplug it, disconnect inbound tubes, and disassemble its top. Do a thorough cleanout. Replace a broken or old pump.

 3. Kill algae. Fill your pump’s trough with a diluted solution of one part bleach in 16 parts water. Pump it through the drainpipe. If the trough doesn’t empty, the check valve may be stuck. Unscrew that valve and loosen the internal ball. Remove algae or replace the tubing.

 4. Clear ice blocking your drainpipe. Replace or clean dirty A/C filters. If they’re clean, call Cooper Climate Control to recharge your refrigerant.