Tips for Troubleshooting Common Central AC Problems in Saskatoon

It’s officially spring, Saskatoon! 

And most of us are already picturing the first ‘real’ day of summer. 

You know the one: the windows cracked open, there isn’t a hint of breeze, birds are singing… and the house thermostat has crept up all by itself even with the furnace off.  

Feeling the humidity rise, you say in your best epic-movie voice: “It’s time.” 

Strolling to the thermostat, you click it to “cool” and… 

Crickets. 

Don’t panic. 

We’re here to help you fix some of the most common central AC problems we deal with in Saskatoon. Our goal with this blog is to help you get your system up and running again while minimizing the need for a service call unless it’s 100% necessary.

Ready? Let’s go. 

Common Central AC Issues

1. It Just Won’t Turn On

If your system is silent, the problem can often be electrical rather than mechanical. Here are a few things to check.

The Thermostat: 

• If the screen is blank, the AC won’t run. Check if your thermostat’s batteries are dead, and replace them with fresh ones if you’re unsure.
• Set the thermostat to “Cool” and the target temperature to at least 3°C below the current room temperature so you’ll hear it click on right away if it’s resolved.

The Breaker Box: 

• AC units pull a lot of power. Power surges (think spring thunderstorms) can trip the breaker that controls the AC. If the breaker has flipped to “Off, “flip it back to “On.”

The Shut-off Switch:

• It’s also possible that the furnace switch got tinkered with at some point. Locate it and check. If it’s off, switch it back on.  

2. It’s Blowing, But The Air is Only Lukewarm

If your central AC is running, but blowing air that’s not cold,  troubleshooting looks like: 

Checking and/or Changing The Filter:

• Simply put, if air can’t flow, the system can’t cool. It’s not a bad idea to check your filter every 30 days during summer to make sure it’s still clean and letting air flow.
• Fun fact: Dirty filters are the number one cause of AC failure.  

Giving The Outdoor Unit Some Space:

• Clear away tall grass, weeds, or leftover leaves from around your condenser, giving it at least 60 cm (about 2 feet) of clear space on all sides to allow proper heat release and airflow.

Making Sure The Vents Aren’t Blocked:

Check the return and supply air vents around your home and make sure that furniture, curtains, toys, dust, etc., aren’t blocking them. 

3. The Coils Are Frosty

If you see ice on the copper lines leading to your outdoor unit, it’s likely your coils have frozen up due to restricted airflow.

In this case, shut off the thermostat ‘cool’ setting, and keep the fan running so the ice on the coils can melt safely. (Once the ice is gone, replace your filter.)

(Side note:  If the ice returns after the step above, you likely have a refrigerant issue and should call a pro – like us!)

4. Listen and Sniff: Your Senses Tell You Something is ‘Off’.

Beyond the steady, normal hum of your AC, your senses can often detect trouble before it escalates. Watch out for:

• Squealing: This usually points to a slipping belt or a failing motor bearing. Call a pro!
• Banging: A part has likely come loose inside the blower. Turn the system off immediately and call a pro before any more damage is done to your unit. 
• Musty Smells: This often indicates mildew on the coils or a clogged drain line (and start reading point 5 below).

5. You Notice Water Leaks or Clogged Drains

When humidity is high, the AC can pull literal litres of water out of the air in a week. Ideally, this moisture should travel through a PVC pipe to a floor drain. 

If you notice puddles around your indoor system or a dank smell mentioned in point 4, debris (such as algae) could be plugging your drain line. 

Try clearing it by sucking the junk out of the line from the outside with a wet/dry vacuum.

The DIY Toolkit: What to Have on Hand

To make AC troubleshooting easier, it’s not a bad idea to keep these items on hand:

• Spare HVAC Filters: If you buy in bulk, you’ll always have a fresh one on hand.
• A Fin Comb: This tool can help straighten the metal fins on your outdoor unit if they become bent.
• Distilled White Vinegar: Pouring a cup down your drain line once a month can help prevent algae clogs. It’s natural, safe and – best of all – cheap.

When to Call the Pros

If you’ve checked the filters, breakers, floor drains and the thermostat and still aren’t feeling a satisfying blast of cold air, go ahead and call a technician. 

There are a few times when you don’t even need to consider DIY. Just call if: 

• You suspect a refrigerant leak: Because refrigerant runs through a closed system, it should never “run out.”

• The compressor won’t start: This part of your HVAC system involves high-voltage components that are dangerous for anyone but a professional to handle.

• You smell burning: Definitely call a pro right away, as this can indicate an electrical short or motor burnout.

Call 306.384.4200 (need live link for mobile) anytime, and we’ll help you out!

Here’s The “Check” List:

Basics Check: 

• Thermostat batteries
• Breakers
• HVAC unit (or ‘furnace’) switches

Airflow Check:

• Check and change filters and ensure there is no clutter around the outdoor unit or your indoor vents.

Ice Check:

• If you see frost, turn off the cooling and run the fan to defrost the system, then try running again.

Call a professional IMMEDIATELY for: 

• Suspected refrigerant leaks

• High-voltage electricity access

• Burning smells 

Summer in Saskatoon can be a lot less stressful if you know the AC is ready BEFORE summer arrives. 

April is a great time to give the system a test run before it gets hot out. 

If your AC doesn’t fire up as expected, these troubleshooting tips can often solve cooling issues without a frantic emergency call when you’re melting. 

Reach out today with any questions or to book a maintenance check for your AC before summer! At Razor, we’re happy to help.