What Should I Do if My AC Stops Working During a Heat Wave?

AC EMERGENCY • SAFE HOMEOWNER CHECKS • MINNESOTA SUMMER

Of course it happened today.

Not during the nice 72-degree stretch last week.

Today.

The day Minnesota decided to imitate Florida.

YOUR AC Stops

→

INDOOR TEMP Starts climbing

→

NOW WHAT? Check safely

THE MOST IMPORTANT DISTINCTION Separate safe homeowner checks from things that require professional service.

STEP 1

Check the Thermostat

Confirm:

Thermostat has power

System is set to COOL

Setting is below current indoor temperature

Fan setting is appropriate

If the thermostat screen is blank, that may provide a useful clue.

STEP 2

Check the Filter

A severely restricted filter can interfere with airflow and equipment operation.

If the filter is obviously dirty, replace it with an appropriate filter for the system.

Do not assume that automatically solves everything. Continue observing how the system behaves.

STEP 3

Check the Electrical Panel Once

Look for a tripped HVAC breaker.

REMEMBER Breakers trip for a reason.

If you can safely identify the correct breaker and there are no obvious signs of electrical damage, burning, heat or unusual odor, you may reset a tripped breaker once.

IF IT TRIPS AGAIN Stop.

Do not repeatedly force the breaker back on.

A breaker that trips again is telling you something is wrong.

STEP 4

Look at the Outdoor Equipment

Observe the condenser from a safe distance.

LOOK Is the fan spinning?

LISTEN Is the unit silent?

LISTEN Repeated clicking?

LOOK Obvious debris?

OBSERVE. DON'T DISASSEMBLE. Do not remove electrical panels.

Simply tell the technician what you can safely see and hear.

STEP 5

Look for Ice

If you see ice on the refrigerant line or cooling equipment:

DO THIS Turn cooling off.

The system needs to thaw before it can be properly evaluated.

STEP 6

Look for Water

Water around the furnace or air handler during cooling season may indicate a condensate problem or melting ice.

Some systems have safety switches designed to shut equipment down if condensate drainage backs up.

Water may be part of the clue—not necessarily a separate problem.

Don't Keep Resetting Everything

When people get hot, frustration takes over.

Breaker off → Breaker on → Thermostat reset → Switch off → Switch on

Then five more breaker resets.

A BETTER RULE Check once. Then stop if the problem continues.

Repeatedly forcing equipment to restart can complicate the original problem and the diagnosis.

Protect the People in the House

HVAC equipment matters.

People matter more.

If indoor temperatures become unsafe, consider moving vulnerable household members somewhere cooler.

Pay particular attention to:

Older adults

Babies and young children

People with medical conditions

Pets

01 Use fans where appropriate

02 Close blinds or shades

03 Avoid unnecessary heat-producing appliances

04 Stay hydrated

Should You Open the Windows?

IF OUTSIDE IS COOLER Ventilation may help.

IF OUTSIDE IS HOTTER + HUMID Opening the entire house may make conditions worse.

Use common sense based on actual outdoor conditions.

Call Before the House Becomes Unbearable

During heat waves, HVAC companies get busy quickly.

If your AC has stopped completely, waiting until bedtime may limit your options.

WHEN YOU CALL AIR COMFORT, TELL US:

Current indoor temperature

Thermostat setting

Whether the indoor fan runs

Whether outdoor equipment runs

Whether you see ice or water

Whether a breaker is tripped

Any unusual sounds or smells

That helps us understand what is happening before we arrive.

The Best Emergency Is the One You Avoid

No maintenance program can guarantee that equipment will never fail.

But testing AC before peak heat and addressing warning signs early can reduce the chance that the first indication of trouble is:

THE MESSAGE NOBODY WANTS “It stopped completely.”

If that already happened, Air Comfort is here.

AC COMPLETELY STOPPED DURING A HOT DAY?

Check the Basics Safely—Then Get the Problem Diagnosed

Air Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning provides cooling repair and emergency HVAC service throughout Anoka County, the North Metro and surrounding Minnesota communities.

If the house is getting hotter and the system will not operate, call before conditions become harder to manage.

CALL 763-753-6623 REQUEST SERVICE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AC Emergency Questions

Should I keep resetting my AC breaker if it trips?

No. If a breaker repeatedly trips, stop resetting it and have the system inspected.

Can I run my AC if there is ice on it?

No. Turn cooling off and allow the system to thaw before the cause is evaluated.

When is an AC outage an emergency?

Extreme indoor temperatures can become a health concern, especially for vulnerable people and pets. Seek a cooler environment if conditions become unsafe.