The air conditioner no longer turns on, what elements should be checked?

Is your air conditioning refusing to work on a scorching day? First things first, grab a big glass of water and set up your fan. Then, follow this handy checklist to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES OF THIS FAULT:

• Problem with the power supply

• Remote control malfunction

• Incorrect thermostat setting

• Incorrect calibration of the temperature sensor

• Lack of indoor unit maintenance

• Refrigerant gas fault

• Compressor failure

• Defective electronic board

WARNING
Before carrying out any work on your appliance, make absolutely sure you first completely disconnect it from the mains electricity supply.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
Wear protective gloves if you need to disassemble the appliance
RISK OF CUTS AND ABRASIONS.

A power supply problem

For your air conditioning equipment to turn on, it must be well supplied with electricity. A few basic checks are necessary: check that the electricity meter has not tripped, via the contactor switch. If it is a device that plugs into the mains, connect another device to the socket concerned to validate that it is operational, and a device and not a socket problem. If not, call an electrician to repair it. If it is a fixed air conditioner unit, check the wiring which may be damaged.

The remote control does not communicate with the air conditioner

Before you check for any fault on the equipment itself, check the remote control. If the battery is old/drained this could be the cause of its failure to turn on. Sometimes, the remote control circuit can be damaged, for example if it has been dropped. In this case, it will be necessary to replace it with an new, compatible model.

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The thermostat is not set correctly

Now, check the thermostat temperature. It may have got out of whack or is no longer in cooling mode. In this case, it makes sense that the air conditioning does not start. If necessary, refer to the user manual to re-establish the correct settings.

Incorrect calibration of the thermal sensor

Sometimes the thermal sensor, also known as a temperature sensor, goes out of whack and disrupts the operation of the air conditioner. In this case, it is best to call in a professional technician to recalibrate it.

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A lack of maintenance of the indoor unit

Just like any other appliance, your air conditioner needs regular TLC. It comes with one or more filters that keep the insides clean and running smoothly. But when these filters get clogged with dust, they can’t do their job properly. Dust particles can sneak into the indoor unit and mess things up. Plus, debris can find its way into the air ducts and cause blockages, making your AC work harder than it should. Don’t forget to give the evaporator some love too! Regular cleaning is essential to keep it absorbing heat efficiently. That's why we recommend doing a full maintenance check in the spring, so your AC is ready to tackle the summer heat. If you're not sure how to clean it, it’s best to call in a professional.

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A refrigerant defect

The refrigerant is essential to cool the air in your home. You may encounter two situations that will cause problems related to this:

• A lack of refrigerant gas: in this case, the air conditioning system will fail to produce enough cold air. To recharge your appliance, you must use a refrigeration technician who is authorized to handle refrigerant gases.
• A refrigerant gas leak: Faced with this situation, you must stop using the air conditioner to prevent the gas from escaping because it is very harmful to the environment! Unfortunately, in this case, it will be essential to bring in a specialist to repair your equipment.

The compressor is not working properly

If your AC is blowing warm or fluctuating air temperatures, with unusual noises, reduced airflow, and high bills, then the compressor could be your issue. The role of the compressor is essential in the operation of an air conditioner. It is used to compress the refrigerant which will then cool the air. A failure related to this requires the intervention of a refrigeration technician who will determine if it is a malfunction of the compressor or if it is simply the capacitor which no longer fulfills its role of starting the engine.

The electronic board is defective

The electronic board or control panel manages all the functionalities of an air conditioning system. In a way, it is the brain that communicates with all the other electronic or mechanical components of the device. If all previous checks have not revealed any anomalies, inspect the electronic board for burnt or melted components. In this case, it will be necessary to replace it. You can try to do it yourself or call an authorized repairer.