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What To Do When Your AC’s Not Cooling

When the temperature climbs outside, there’s nothing better than relaxing in a nice air-conditioned home. However, when the AC in your Des Moines, IA home stops cooling, it’s a stressful event. The good news is that there are some simple troubleshooting steps you can try to get your AC running again before it’s time to call in a professional for AC repair. Here’s what to do.

Change the Air Filter

By far, dirty air filters are the most common cause of AC cooling issues. If your AC isn’t working as well as it should, the air filter’s the first thing to check. If it’s been over three months since you’ve replaced your filter during your AC maintenance, or if it’s visibly dirty, replacing it should return your AC to working order. Plus, it’ll help improve your indoor air quality at the same time.

Check Your Thermostat

The next thing to check when your AC’s not working is your thermostat. If your thermostat’s display seems normal and you’re sure you’ve got the temperature set correctly, try checking the thermostat’s mode switch. You may have accidentally set your system to heat mode, which would prevent your AC from turning on. You should also use a thermometer to check that your thermostat is accurately reading the indoor temperature. If not, consult your thermostat manual to find out how to re-calibrate it.

Clean Your Outdoor Unit

After a winter of braving the elements, an accumulation of dirt and debris may be keeping your AC’s outdoor unit from working properly. After turning off the power to your AC, clean in and around the outdoor unit, removing any leaves and debris you find. If you have a garden hose nearby, turn it on low and rinse down your outdoor unit to remove even more dirt. This may solve your AC issues once you turn your system back on.

Call In Reinforcements

If none of the above suggestions work, your next step is to call in reinforcements from Metro Heating & Cooling. We’ve served the Des Moines area since 1984 by offering the finest HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services around. Plus, we handle fireplaces, duct cleaning, air purifiers, and more. If your AC needs repair or you have any other HVAC needs, call the experts at Metro Heating & Cooling right away.