Is Your Air Conditioning Ready for Warm Weather?

Published 3/22/2021

Spring is almost here in the Chicagoland area! The weather is changing, the birds are chirping, and the snow has finally melted. We can officially put away our winter jackets and bust out the shorts and flip-flops. As the weather continues to get warmer and warmer, many of us are ready to flip that thermostat from hot to cold. When the weather starts to get warmer, there is nothing worse than going to turn on the air conditioning only to find that your AC unit is not working. Why? The experts at Mr. Duct Heating and Air Conditioning explain why this is the case after a long winter and how to get your AC unit ready for the spring and summer heat.

Problem: Air Conditioning Unit Not Working Properly After Winter

Over the winter months, snow and ice accumulate on your AC Unit, which can cause several problems. One common issue occurs when moisture builds up in between the aluminum coil fins on your unit. With our unpredictable Chicagoland weather, that moisture will eventually freeze over and cause the coils to expand. When expansion happens, air cannot properly flow through your system, leading to further more costly damage. You also cannot underestimate the damage falling icicles can do to your unit. If your AC unit is close to your house and gutters, ice could fall, dent the fan, or even get inside the unit. Ice hitting the inside parts of your system alone does a lot of damage, but when that ice melts and refreezes, it can wreak havoc on those inner components. This can lead to rust and corrosion, which are common occurrences after a long winter.

Solution: Troubleshooting & Air Conditioner Repair

If your air conditioning unit is not working after a cold winter, there is a list of actions you can perform to determine if an air conditioner repair is needed. Before you do anything, be sure you change out your air filter inside your furnace, and all return air vents are clear of any dust.

It may seem obvious, but first, make sure your thermostat is set to "cool". Give the thermostat time to communicate to your HVAC system and outdoor AC unit. When you properly set the thermostat to “cool”, the motor in your furnace should start running. If it is still not running, check to ensure the furnace switch is set to “ON” before proceeding.

When 5-10 minutes have passed and your outdoor AC unit has not turned on, check to make sure the circuit breaker box and your outdoor unit disconnect switch are in the ON” position.

If these troubleshooting actions don’t take care of your cooling issue, you may need an AC unit Clean & Tune-up, an Air Conditioner Repair, or a new air conditioning unit installation. Schedule an Appointment with Mr. Duct, Chicagoland’s premier air conditioning company today.