AC Troubleshooter
AC Troubleshooting: What’s Wrong With Your AC?
Use this quick AC troubleshooting tool to narrow down the problem. You’ll get safe things to check yourself, and if you book a visit, your answers go to the technician so they arrive prepared.
- Takes about a minute
- Safe homeowner checks only
- Answers shared with your technician
Start Here
Choose the option that best describes what is happening.
Quick Checks Before You Call
These take a few minutes and solve more service calls than you might think. Never open electrical panels on the equipment or handle refrigerant lines.
- Thermostat is set to Cool and below the room temperature
- Thermostat screen is on — replace the batteries if it is blank
- The AC and air handler breakers are not tripped (reset once only)
- The air filter is not clogged with dust
- Supply vents and return grilles are open and unblocked
- The outdoor unit is clear of grass, leaves and debris
- The condensate drain pan is not full of water
- The disconnect switch near the outdoor unit is on
Stop and call if you notice any of these
A burning or electrical smell, a breaker that trips again after one reset, water leaking through a ceiling, or ice on the refrigerant lines. Turn the system off at the thermostat and call (941) 919-3792 — running it can turn a small repair into a big one. Emergency AC repair.
Book a Technician
Your troubleshooter answers appear here — include them in the description so the technician knows what to expect.
- Tell us what is happening — photos help
- Pick a preferred appointment date
- We call to confirm and answer questions
Prefer to talk? Call (941) 919-3792
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
The most common causes are a dirty air filter, a dirty outdoor coil, a failed capacitor or fan motor, a frozen indoor coil or low refrigerant from a leak. Filters you can check yourself; the rest need a technician. See AC repair.
Is it safe to reset my AC breaker?
Resetting a tripped breaker once is fine. If it trips again, leave it off — repeated tripping points to an electrical or compressor problem that needs a professional.
What should I do if my AC is frozen?
Turn the system to Off (leave the fan on to speed thawing), replace a dirty filter and let the ice melt completely, which can take several hours. Ice usually means an airflow or refrigerant problem, so schedule service even if it starts cooling again.
Why is water leaking from my air handler?
In Florida it is almost always a clogged condensate drain line or a full or rusted drain pan. Turn the system off to limit water damage and call for service.
Ready to get comfortable again?
Talk to a local HVAC pro who will diagnose the problem, explain your options and give you a straight answer.