AC Not Cooling? 7 Things to Check Before You Call

A full third of our summer emergency calls are resolved with a 60-second fix the homeowner could have done themselves. Before you dial us, run through this list.

1. Check the thermostat

Is it set to COOL (not FAN)? Is the setpoint well below the room temperature? Fresh batteries? Smart thermostats sometimes revert to schedule — override it.

2. Check the breaker

Find the breakers labeled AC or AIR HANDLER. A tripped breaker will look slightly off-center. Flip it fully OFF, then ON.

3. Check the air filter

A clogged filter restricts airflow and can freeze the evaporator coil. If the filter looks gray, swap it — and if you can see ice on the indoor unit or copper lines, shut the system OFF for 2 hours to thaw before restarting.

4. Check the outdoor unit

Is the condenser fan spinning? Is the coil clogged with leaves or cottonwood fluff? A coil that can't breathe can't reject heat. Rinse gently with a garden hose (power OFF first).

5. Check the condensate drain

Modern systems have a safety switch that shuts the AC off when the drain line clogs. Look for a small float switch near the indoor unit — clearing the drain usually resets it.

6. Check the disconnect

Outside near the condenser there's a pull-out disconnect. Make sure it's fully seated.

7. Give it 10 minutes

After any reset, most systems have a 5-minute compressor delay for protection. Wait before concluding it's broken.

When to call us

If you hit all seven and still have no cold air — or if you see ice, smell anything burning, or hear the compressor short-cycling — stop and call. Continuing to run a broken system can turn a cheap fix into a compressor replacement.