Don't sweat it. Heating and air conditioning in Columbus and Midland, GA

What it usually means

Most often the outdoor unit is not running while the indoor fan is, or airflow is choked by a dirty filter. A failed capacitor or low refrigerant can do the same thing.

Check first

• The thermostat is set to Cool, the fan to Auto, and the temperature below the room.
• The outdoor unit is running. If it is silent, check its breaker in the panel.
• The air filter is not gray and packed. Swap it if it is.

What it usually means

Usually power or a safety switch: a blank thermostat, a tripped breaker, the service switch by the indoor unit turned off, or a full drain pan that shut the system down on purpose.

Check first

• The thermostat screen is on. If it is blank, try fresh batteries.
• The breakers for the indoor and outdoor units are on.
• The switch near the indoor unit (it looks like a light switch) is on.

What it usually means

A thermostat setting, a tripped breaker, a dirty filter, or an ignition or sensor problem on a furnace. On a heat pump, a little frost and a short pause in winter is the normal defrost cycle.

Check first

• The thermostat is set to Heat and above the room temperature.
• The breaker for the furnace or air handler is on.
• The filter is clean enough to pass air.

What it usually means

Ice almost always means the coil is not getting enough warm air across it (a dirty filter or closed vents) or the system is low on refrigerant, which means a leak somewhere.

Check first

• Set the thermostat to Off and the fan to On to melt the ice. Give it a few hours.
• Replace the filter and open any closed vents.

What it usually means

Your AC pulls water out of the air and drains it away. A clogged drain line, a cracked pan, or a coil that froze and is thawing will put that water on the floor.

Check first

• Turn the system off to stop more water.
• Look at the drain pan under the indoor unit and soak up what you can.
• Check the filter. A clogged filter can freeze the coil.

What it usually means

Banging or clanking is often a loose part. Squealing points to a motor or bearing. Buzzing is usually electrical. Hissing can be a refrigerant leak.

Check first

• Note when it happens: at start-up, while running, or shutting off. It helps us find it faster.

What it usually means

Usually the air is not reaching the room: leaking or crushed ductwork, closed or blocked vents, or a dirty filter. Sometimes the system is the wrong size for the house.

Check first

• Every vent in the room is open and not covered by furniture or rugs.
• The filter is clean.

What it usually means

A system that runs longer than it should: a dirty filter or coil, low refrigerant, leaking ducts, or an older system losing efficiency.

Check first

• Replace the filter.
• Look at your thermostat schedule. A setting that fights itself runs the system all day.