What's Wrong With My AC?
Pick a symptom or describe it in your own words. You'll see the likely causes, safe things to check yourself, and when it's time to call.
Safety first: if you smell gas or burning, or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the home and call 911. Never open electrical panels or handle refrigerant.
Click a common symptom or type your own:
Want the full checklist? Read our HVAC troubleshooting checklist, or get your Home Comfort Score.
Common AC Problems
Why is my AC not cooling?+
Common causes: a clogged air filter choking airflow; a dirty or blocked outdoor unit that can't release heat; low refrigerant from a leak; a failed capacitor or contactor, so the outdoor fan or compressor isn't running; leaky ducts losing cool air into the attic. Start by checking: make sure the thermostat is set to Cool and below the room temperature.
Why is my AC not turning on?+
Common causes: a tripped breaker or a switched-off outdoor disconnect; a full drain pan that tripped the float safety switch; dead thermostat batteries or a thermostat problem; a blown fuse or failed control board. Start by checking: replace the thermostat batteries if it uses them, and check it's set to Cool.
Why is my AC freezing up?+
Common causes: low airflow from a dirty filter or closed vents; low refrigerant from a leak; a failing blower motor; a dirty indoor coil. Start by checking: turn the thermostat to Off and the fan to On so the ice melts. It can take a few hours.
Why is my AC running up my electric bill?+
Common causes: a dirty filter, coil, or outdoor unit making the system run longer; low refrigerant from a leak; leaky ducts cooling the attic instead of the house; an aging, less efficient system; a thermostat schedule or setting that changed. Start by checking: replace the air filter.
Why is my AC making a strange noise?+
Common causes: humming or buzzing: a failing capacitor or contactor; squealing or screeching: a worn motor bearing or belt; rattling: a loose panel, fan blade, or debris in the outdoor unit; grinding or banging: a failing motor or compressor part; hissing: a refrigerant leak or a duct leak. Start by checking: note where the sound comes from (indoor or outdoor) and when it happens.
Why is my AC leaking water?+
Common causes: a clogged condensate drain line backing water into the pan; a cracked or rusted drain pan; ice on the coil melting faster than the drain can handle; a disconnected drain line. Start by checking: turn the AC off to stop more water from collecting.
Ready to get your comfort back on track?
Call now or request an estimate online, and we'll follow up with clear, honest next steps.
Appointment windows reflect our best estimate and are not a guaranteed arrival time.