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A Cooling & AC Troubleshooting Guide

Here you will find valuable information and resources to help you make informed decisions about your home or office cooling needs. Whether you’re looking to install a new air conditioning system, maintain or troubleshoot an existing one, or simply look for ways to improve energy efficiency, in our cooling guides you’ll find tips, advice and valuable information. Read our cooling & AC troubleshooting guides for the information you need.

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An Up-to-date Guide About A/C Troubleshooting & How To’s

  • If the thermostat uses batteries, replace them or make sure that the existing batteries are still in good working order. 
  • If the thermostat does not use batteries, verify that the furnace is plugged in and is getting power (plug something else into the outlet, like a hair dryer, and make sure it turns on).
  • Make sure that the breaker for the FAU (furnaces) in the electrical panel is turned on.
  • If you recently replaced a filter inside the furnace, make sure that the furnace door was reinstalled properly. 

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue. 

There are a couple of scenarios that could lead to water leaks from a furnace during a/c operation:

  • If the water leak appears after a rain, then there may be a leak in the furnace venting system on the roof.  
  • Condensing (high efficiency) furnaces may have leaky hoses or clogged drain parts that need to be  repaired or cleaned.
  • The primary condensate drain may be backing up and causing the evaporator drain pan to overflow.
  • The evaporator drain pan may have failed.
  • The evaporator may be icing causing the leak.
  • Poor maintenance – Dirty filter 

All above conditions require professional service.

Call us to schedule your service appointment!

First confirm that the thermostat is set to OFF.  If this does not resolve the problem, service is required.

To turn the furnace/ac off, unplug it or turn the specific breaker off until the appliance can be serviced.

Call us to schedule your service appointment. Check 18 reasons why your AC is not turning on.

  • If the thermostat uses batteries, replace them or make sure that the existing batteries are still good. 
  • If you recently replaced a filter inside the furnace, make sure that the furnace door was reinstalled properly. 

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

  • Make sure that your filter is clean.
  • If you have access to your attic, you can check to see if any ducts are disconnected.
  • Make sure that none of the vents are blocked (intake & returns).

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

When an air conditioning system blows hot air (in cooling mode), it indicates that the a/c unit (outside) is not operating. There are many faults that can cause this problem. 

This problem will require service to resolve. Call us to set up a service appointment! Check our AC repair service in Orange County.

  • The easiest way is to unplug the furnace for about 15 seconds and then restore power.
  • If the furnace is not accessible, i.e. attic or subfloor, you can gently remove the thermostat from the sub base (try not to pull out the drywall screws). Re-install after 15 seconds.
  • If your furnace is labeled (correctly) in the electrical panel, you can reset the power there for 15 seconds. You will know that it is the right breaker if the thermostat goes blank after you flip the breaker off.
  • Some thermostats have a reset button, check in the installation manual for details.

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

  • First, turn the system off, use a shop vac with a brush attachment to gently brush the grill.
  • In more humid environments, a damp cloth with a drop of dish soap may be required to remove all of the accumulated dust.

Note that an excessive amount of dust builds up over a short period of time, which may indicate indoor air quality issues that should be assessed.

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

  • Make sure that all the registers are open and that none of them are blocked.
  • Try NOT to close more than 10% of your overall vents to prevent the system from overheating.

This problem is usually related to poor air balance within the air duct system. 

Two story homes without zoning systems can also exhibit this problem. We have specific tips & tricks for these applications, call us for more information!

Turn your appliance off and call us for service.

This can indicate one of several furnace problems, but is often related to a main control board or relay failure. The equipment will require service.

Call us to set up a service appointment!

This can indicate that there is a mechanical problem that needs to be assessed and repaired. 

You can:

  • Check & replace the filter. 
  • Make sure all vents are open.
  • Make sure all the grills are unobstructed.

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

All central heating/cooling systems need to have a filter installed. Here are some of the locations they can be found:

Older furnaces

  • Inside the blower compartment of the furnace.
  • Filter housing underneath furnace.

Attic/basement/subfloor systems

  • Central air filtration system – The filter housing is often located next to the furnace on the intake side.
  • 1” filters – The filters are usually in a ceiling air intake grill (check for large grills in the ceiling).

New system

If it is a new home and you can not find the filter, it is advisable to call us for maintenance so we can assess where the filters are located and how many they are

We will provide you with the system maintenance requirements as part of our service.

Call us to set up a maintenance visit today!

An Up-to-date
Guide About
A/C Troubleshooting
& How To’s

  • If the thermostat uses batteries, replace them or make sure that the existing batteries are still in good working order. 
  • If the thermostat does not use batteries, verify that the furnace is plugged in and is getting power (plug something else into the outlet, like a hair dryer, and make sure it turns on).
  • Make sure that the breaker for the FAU (furnaces) in the electrical panel is turned on.
  • If you recently replaced a filter inside the furnace, make sure that the furnace door was reinstalled properly. 

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

There are a couple of scenarios that could lead to water leaks from a furnace during a/c operation:

  • If the water leak appears after a rain, then there may be a leak in the furnace venting system on the roof.  
  • Condensing (high efficiency) furnaces may have leaky hoses or clogged drain parts that need to be  repaired or cleaned.
  • The primary condensate drain may be backing up and causing the evaporator drain pan to overflow.
  • The evaporator drain pan may have failed.
  • The evaporator may be icing causing the leak.
  • Poor maintenance – Dirty filter 

All above conditions require professional service.

Call us to schedule your service appointment!

First confirm that the thermostat is set to OFF.  If this does not resolve the problem, service is required.

To turn the furnace/ac off, unplug it or turn the specific breaker off until the appliance can be serviced.

Call us to schedule your service appointment.

  • If the thermostat uses batteries, replace them or make sure that the existing batteries are still good. 
  • If you recently replaced a filter inside the furnace, make sure that the furnace door was reinstalled properly. 

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

  • Make sure that your filter is clean.
  • If you have access to your attic, you can check to see if any ducts are disconnected.
  • Make sure that none of the vents are blocked (intake & returns).

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

When an air conditioning system blows hot air (in cooling mode), it indicates that the a/c unit (outside) is not operating. There are many faults that can cause this problem. 

This problem will require service to resolve. Call us to set up a service appointment!

  • The easiest way is to unplug the furnace for about 15 seconds and then restore power.
  • If the furnace is not accessible, i.e. attic or subfloor, you can gently remove the thermostat from the sub base (try not to pull out the drywall screws). Re-install after 15 seconds.
  • If your furnace is labeled (correctly) in the electrical panel, you can reset the power there for 15 seconds. You will know that it is the right breaker if the thermostat goes blank after you flip the breaker off.
  • Some thermostats have a reset button, check in the installation manual for details.

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

  • First, turn the system off, use a shop vac with a brush attachment to gently brush the grill.
  • In more humid environments, a damp cloth with a drop of dish soap may be required to remove all of the accumulated dust.

Note that an excessive amount of dust builds up over a short period of time, which may indicate indoor air quality issues that should be assessed.

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

  • Make sure that all the registers are open and that none of them are blocked.
  • Try NOT to close more than 10% of your overall vents to prevent the system from overheating.

This problem is usually related to poor air balance within the air duct system. 

Two story homes without zoning systems can also exhibit this problem. We have specific tips & tricks for these applications, call us for more information!

Turn your appliance off and call us for service.

This can indicate one of several furnace problems, but is often related to a main control board or relay failure. The equipment will require service.

Call us to set up a service appointment!

This can indicate that there is a mechanical problem that needs to be assessed and repaired. 

You can:

  • Check & replace the filter. 
  • Make sure all vents are open.
  • Make sure all the grills are unobstructed.

Call us for more information if the above instructions do not resolve the issue.

All central heating/cooling systems need to have a filter installed. Here are some of the locations they can be found:

Older furnaces

  • Inside the blower compartment of the furnace.
  • Filter housing underneath furnace.

Attic/basement/subfloor systems

  • Central air filtration system – The filter housing is often located next to the furnace on the intake side.
  • 1” filters – The filters are usually in a ceiling air intake grill (check for large grills in the ceiling).

New system

If it is a new home and you can not find the filter, it is advisable to call us for maintenance so we can assess where the filters are located and how many they are

We will provide you with the system maintenance requirements as part of our service.

Call us to set up a maintenance visit today!

Air Conditioning and Heating Repair Services in Orange County, California.

Working Hours

Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(weekend: by appointment)
Cooling & Air Condition
Air Conditioning and Heating Repair Services in Orange County, California.
Working Hours

Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(weekend: by appointment)

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A local HVAC company with a stellar reputation throughout Southern California. Free estimates for homeowners!