The step-by-step guide on how to diagnose your air conditioner problem and save a pile of cash.

Ok you want it you got it from Merritt at thermal-medics.com

Here is the step by step methodology known as a/c troubleshooting.  How to diagnose your air conditioner or HVAC system in an ordered, methodical and proven way to get the answers you need.  If you take some time, get educated, watch the videos at http://www.thermal-medics.com/ that I have made you can save a lot of money.  Commission based A/C techs love nothing more than an ignorant consumer.  They can sell you anything from a surge protector to float switch to even up to a new unit for a simple run capacitor or burnt wire.  Read "the worst a/c story ever" if you need any more encouragement.

• Is air blowing from the registers? Yes or no

1. yes, is it warm (ambient) or a little cool or actually hot (on a demand for cool)?
2. is the condenser fan motor and compressor also operating?

• if all motors are operating and you are getting warm to ambient air than probably a refrigerant issue
• that can come in the form of low refrigerant (slow leaks) 
• big leaks
• leaking reversing valve if a heat pump
• clogged metering device (txv, fixed orifice, or capillary tube)
• duct leaks

• if air is warm at registers check condenser fan motor and compressor - if not operating check run capacitors to see if bulged or popped - follow link to photos at the image glossary
• does the condenser fan blade turn freely with a long-handled screwdriver? or is it binding up?
• binding up usually means it is seized up - freely could still be good  - test the run cap first before replacing the condenser fan motor - awesome video here on tips and tricks
• compressor may or may not start back up if run cap on fan motor is popped - it has an internal overload protection that must reset at appx 115 degrees to operate again.  I sometimes use bags of ice to cool down the compressor quickly in a pinch - or just have a cold one..

1. Is there a breath of air at the registers - it may be cool but very low airflow?

• dirty evap coil
• leak in ductwork (see the door trick article) on right side of home page
• very dirty filter (very rare)
• if this is the case the compressor and outdoor fan motor will probably trip on overload

How to clean an evap coil properly?  Call or email me at thermal-medics.com 

1. no, when you operate the thermostat does any other modes work (i.e. fan to on or heat??)
2. is there ice on the big copper pipe (suction line) when the outdoor unit (compressor, condenser fan motor) comes on? if yes than shut off the system to avoid adding a 0 to your final repair bill.

1. No no other modes work and nothing at all comes on - indoor or out - dead as a doornail:

• control problem
• change batteries in t-stat
• float switch backed up
• 5amp fuse in air handler (there is a reason it popped - gotta find out why)
• transformer blew (it happens)
• bad wiring
• main breaker for whole unit

This is just a short list to get you going the right way and keep the dirt bag salesman 'techs' from ripping you a new one on a service call.  Call or email me anytime for detailed step-by-step help to get to the root of the matter and often times fix your unit yourself.  Read the testamonials -  if you give me 10 minutes I can save you hundreds of dollars!! 

Merritt  info@thermal-medics.com