If you find you have the problem of a Carrier air conditioner not working, follow this guide to troubleshoot and fix the problems.
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Carrier Air Conditioner Not Working After Power Outage – Quick FIx
Reset the air conditioner if it stops working after a power outage. To do that, turn the thermostat off so that it does not request cooling or heating while the breakers reset. Next, locate the circuit breaker for the house and find the one that controls the air conditioner. When you do, turn it off and on again.
Wait about thirty minutes before turning on the air conditioner. The breaker resets during this time, so that may fix minor issues with the air conditioner. Ensure the thermostat remains off all this time; otherwise, the reset will not work. When the thirty minutes are up, turn on the thermostat and set it to cool. The air conditioner should start running smoothly.
However, if the reset does not fix the problem, check the breaker to see if there are blown fuses. You may need a technician to check and replace the fuses if that is the case. But if the breaker is not the problem, check the wall outlet and power cord, that is, if the unit has a visible outlet and power cord.
The outlet must produce up to 220 volts and the unit must be on a dedicated circuit to work. If other appliances are connected to the same circuit, it may reduce the power output. Consult an electrician for a permanent fix if that is the cause of the problem.
However, if none of the above works, there may be an internal air conditioner problem. One or more parts may be defective and without the help of a technician, you may not find the faulty part. Contact the Carrier Service Center for further assistance.
Carrier Air Conditioner Not Working – How to Fix
If you find that a Carrier air conditioner is not working, check the following:
1. Thermostat
First, ensure the setting is correct. If you are aiming for cool air, ensure the thermostat is set to cool. And if you want heat, set it to heat. Also, adjust the temperature settings accordingly. Try this step and see if the unit starts working. If not, there may be a problem with the thermostat.
In addition, check the fan setting. Typically, it should be set to Auto instead of On. When on Auto, the thermostat controls the fan’s functions and turns it off when it is not needed. But when it is set to On, the fan will continuously run, making the air conditioner seem as if it is not working. The cooling function needs the fan setting to be correct in order to work. If the adjustments do not work, you need an HVAC professional.
2. Condensing Unit
The condensing unit outside the house has several components such as the compressor, condenser fan, condenser coil, and electric connections. If the coil becomes dirty, which happens due to its location outside the house, the air conditioner may stop working. The same is true if the unit leaks refrigerant or the compressor malfunctions.
Inspect the condensing unit for debris; clean the coil with a condenser coil cleaning brush. Remove leaves and other debris that may be stuck in the fan or compressor. It can be a tedious and complicated job, so it may be best to hire a professional to clean it carefully. Otherwise, you risk damaging the fins or using too much water on the compressor and damaging it beyond repair.
It is crucial to service the condensing unit every month or two to keep the air conditioner up and running. Therefore, schedule regular maintenance checks for both the condenser and indoor units. That way, you find faults before they become irreparable.
3. Refrigerant
Refrigerant is the gas that flows through the air conditioner as part of the cooling system. It flows from the compressor into the evaporator coil, where it absorbs the heat from the room air and leaves it cold. The gas flows through a closed system; in other words, it flows through pipes and lines welded shut.
If there is a shortage of refrigerant in the system, it means there is a leak. While there are several reasons for such a leak, only a professional can correctly detect the leak and fix it. Without refrigerant, the air conditioner cannot function. Even if it does, it cannot work well. The same applies if there is insufficient refrigerant.
4. Filter
Check the air filter in a Carrier air conditioner every two weeks and clean it if necessary. Do not use the filter longer than three months unless it is a special kind that lasts longer than three months. Sometimes, your filter does not need to change so frequently because the air quality is good. Other times, the presence of children and pets makes it necessary to clean it.
Dust the dirt off the filter with a small brush and inspect it. If the dirt is significant and the filter is the washable type, put it in a sink or container with warm water and mild soap. Clean the filter, rinse it, and air-dry it before putting back into the air conditioner. Do this every two weeks until you need to buy a new one.
If your Carrier air conditioner begins to short cycle, produces little or no cold air, or blows only warm air, the filter may be fully clogged. The air that flows into the unit has to pass through the filter to be pure enough for breathing. Over time, the filter becomes clogged with dirt and must be cleaned or replaced.
However, if the filter remains without cleaning or replacement for a long time, the air conditioner slowly reduces its cooling capacity. The dirt affects the evaporator coil and condensate drain, and can gradually shut down the air conditioner. Therefore, it is crucial to follow recommended instructions to clean or replace the air filter when due.
5. Evaporator Coil
Inspect the evaporator coil in the indoor unit; if it is frozen, turn off the air conditioner and give it time to thaw. Another option is to turn the unit on and use the fan to melt the ice; activate the Fan mode and increase the speed until all the ice on the evaporator coil melts.
Several factors lead to the accumulation of ice on the coil. One is a dirty air filter, and two is low refrigerant levels, which drops the pressure and leads to freezing. Three is a dirty or malfunctioning condenser, which affects heat transfer and causes the air conditioner to run often, leading to freezing because of excessive cold air. And four is dirt accumulating on the evaporator coil over time.
Some of these factors are easy to fix yourself. So, while it is ideal to contact a qualified HVAC technician for problems with the evaporator coil, you may want to clean the filter and coil yourself. In addition, always schedule regular maintenance to avoid issues with the evaporator coil or other parts of the unit.
6. Electrical Issues
Checking for electrical issues may be one of the first things to do if an air conditioner is not working. If the unit comes on, the problem is not connections to electricity. However, if the unit does not come on and does not beep when you power it, it may have entirely lost connection to power.
The circuit breaker may be tripped or may have blown some fuses. Also, the unit may not be getting enough electric power or its power cord is damaged. It is important to employ the services of a technician to check possible causes of power loss if it applies.
Check out these other articles…
Carrier Air Conditioner Error Codes [Proven Solutions]
Carrier Air Conditioner Control Panel [Problems & Solutions]
Carrier Air Conditioner Compressor [Problems Solved]
Carrier Air Conditioner Modes [Detailed Guide]
Carrier Air Conditioner Fan [Issues & Solutions]
Carrier Air Conditioner Remote Not Working – Quick Fix
If the remote of a Carrier air conditioner is not working, check the batteries. If they need new batteries, ensure you put them in the right polarity positions. Also, ensure the sensor is not covered with dirt and you maintain the correct distance from the unit, directly pointing the remote at it. Read this article for a detailed explanation of how to fix a faulty AC remote.
Carrier Air Conditioner Compressor Not Working – Quick Fix
Many issues cause the compressor in a Carrier air conditioner to stop working. Check the thermostat to see if it has continuity using a multimeter and the temperature control thermostat for the correct settings. Also, check the temperature board, thermistor, capacitor, overload protector, selector switch, main control board, and the compressor itself, as this article explains.
Carrier Air Conditioner Heater Not Working – Quick Fix
If you find that a Carrier air conditioner heater is not working, it may be that the heating element is defective. When you turn on the air conditioner, place your hand close to the vent to see if air flows out. If it does, it means the unit is working.
Wait some minutes and place your hand close to the unit again; if the air coming from it is warm, it may mean that the outside weather is too cold or the heater is not functioning well. However, if the air is not warm at all, you may need a new heater. Get a technician to test the heater and replace it if necessary.
Other parts to check are the ductwork, thermostat, condensing unit, filter, reversing valve, and refrigerant level. This article explains how to troubleshoot each part and fix them if they are faulty.
Carrier Air Conditioner Fan Not Working – Quick Fix
Check the fan motor, thermostat setting, run capacitor, thermistor, selector switch, main control board, and relay board. Take a look at this article for troubleshooting and repair steps.
Recap
This article is a detailed guide on troubleshooting a Carrier air conditioner not working and fixing possible problems. Follow the guide to check the air conditioning system and correctly fix it. Different parts may not be working, such as the compressor, fan, or thermostat. Also, the entire system may be malfunctioning. Regular maintenance keeps away minor faults and prevents the unit from shutting down. Therefore, schedule checks with Carrier or an independent HVAC technician.