AC Not Cooling? 5 Things to Check Before You Call (and When to Stop DIY-ing)
It's 107° outside, the thermostat says 72°, and the vents are blowing something closer to a hair dryer. Before you call anyone — even us — here are five things you can safely check yourself. Sometimes the fix is simple.
1. The thermostat settings
It sounds obvious, but it's the most common service call in Vegas: the thermostat got switched to "heat" or "fan only," or the batteries died. Confirm it's set to cool, the fan is on auto, and the set temperature is below the room temperature.
2. The air filter
A clogged filter chokes airflow, and in our dusty desert air, filters clog faster than the box says they will. If you can't see light through it, replace it. A choked filter can make a healthy system blow weak, lukewarm air — and over time it can freeze the coil.
3. The breaker
Check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker labeled AC, HVAC or condenser. Reset it once. If it trips again, stop — repeated trips mean an electrical problem, and resetting over and over can damage the system or worse.
4. The outdoor unit
Walk outside and look at the condenser. Is the fan spinning? Is it caked in dust, cottonwood fluff or debris? Is anything stored within two feet of it? A smothered condenser can't shed heat, and in Vegas that's the whole job.
5. Ice on the lines
Look at the copper lines near the indoor unit and outside. Ice in the middle of summer means a real problem — usually airflow or refrigerant. Turn the system off, run the fan only, and call a pro. Running it frozen can kill the compressor, which is the most expensive part in the system.
When to stop and call
- The breaker trips more than once
- You see ice anywhere on the system
- You hear grinding, screeching or buzzing
- You smell burning or anything electrical
Those four mean it's time for a trained set of hands. We answer 24/7 across the Las Vegas valley, scheduling is easy, and we'll tell you honestly whether it's a $150 fix or a bigger conversation.