In this section, we’ll outline a few things to check before calling for service. This is not intended to be a complete troubleshooting guide but rather a simple checklist that may help identify common issues. You can also use the brief form linked below — it may help us diagnose a specific problem you’re experiencing.

If at any point you feel uncertain or uncomfortable performing any of these steps, do not proceed. Instead, contact Liberty Cooling & Heating, Inc. at (602) 470-9950 for professional assistance.

The items listed here are meant to help you identify minor or easily resolvable issues and possibly avoid an unnecessary service call before your next maintenance visit. However, remember that your air conditioning system is a complex unit with many components not accessible to untrained individuals. Always read all caution labels carefully, and never remove protective covers, as doing so may expose dangerous high-voltage wiring.

For expert service, contact the professionals at Liberty Cooling & Heating, Inc. at (602) 470-9950.

Be sure the thermostat is switched to Cool, the Fan is switched to Auto, and adjusted low enough to be turning on. Be sure the filter is clean.

There are several areas that could cause your system to freeze up, most of which will need professional service. Making sure the filter is clean and the air flow is not restricted are about the only items you can check yourself. Other than that, you will need to call your Service Company.

If you find your system was freezing because of a dirty filter, after replacing or cleaning the filter you can speed up thawing the ice by turning the system off and turning the fan on. If you have a heat pump, switch the system to heat until the ice has melted. After the ice has melted, switch everything back to normal and switch to cool. If this has not answered your question, you may need to call for service.

Low Refrigerant: In most cases, this is caused by a leak in the refrigerant lines. Weak solder joints, friction from piping rubbing or vibrating against an object, leaking valves or loose fittings. Depending on the age of the system and the nature and location of the leak is the determining factor on having it repaired or replaced.

Dirty Evaporator Coils: Over the years, the Evaporator coils will become dirty. When this happens, the results are the same as a dirty filter. Gradually you will loose air flow, slow enough you probably would not realize it until it just freezes up or it is not cooling as well as it did last year. Unfortunately, you will need service for this one. Cleaning the coils can be difficult and may need to be removed to be done properly. Chemicals and a lot of rinsing will be necessary.

Defective Blower Motor or Relay: A Blower motor not running or at the proper speed will cause freezing. It could also be intermittent, starting at full speed and slowing down after it heats up. Or a relay could cause it to start one time and not the next. Either case you will need Service.

Most drains are gravity feed, meaning as moisture is removed from the air, it collects in the condensation pan and is removed, usually to the outside, by means of a gradual decline of piping. It is either piped to the outside, usually by the condenser, or to a drain inside the home. The majority of the problems with this type of drain system is an algae build up in the piping. Regular maintenance will prevent this in most cases. But on occasion, especially with older systems, it will clog up and leak. If you can locate the drain opening, blowing air or carefully flushing it out with a garden hose should take care of the problem until regular service.

Other systems use condensation pumps. The drain from the unit is piped into the pump. From there it is piped to either the outside or an inside drain. As the water level in the pump fills, a float turns the pump on until it is below the float level. Be sure the pump is plugged in and turned on. If it is full and not running, please scroll down and contact us, or request a free estimate.

With most systems installed today, they will have safety switches installed. This will shut the system down to prevent water damage. If you are not familiar with the location of the auxiliary drain pans or able to empty them then do not try. Call LIBERTY Cooling & Heating, Inc. at (602) 470-9950  If you have a regular contract with them you will probably get a discount for this call.

Be sure the thermostat is switched to Cool, the Fan is switched to Auto, and adjusted low enough to be turning on. Be sure the filter is clean.

Air Conditioning is a very complex system with many parts and variables which can go wrong. It would be impossible for us to explain in any kind of detail or even touch in many areas of trouble shooting. This is best left to an experienced Technician. We are only offering easily accessible suggestions that may save you a service call.

Below are a few items to check if your system is not cooling. In most cases your Service Company will need to be called, but let's check the obvious first.

Low Refrigerant: If the filter is clean and everything is running, you may be low on refrigerant. A quick way to check this is feel the larger of the 2 pipes going into the condenser. It should be cold. If it is not, chances are you are low and will need service. 

Are all of your vents open? Dirty evaporator coils can act like a dirty filter. This will be a gradual change over time. Indications are 'not cooling as well as it did last year,' freezing up, and higher electric bills.

If the unit is FREEZING, please check above. If after checking everything we have outlined and your unit is still not cooling, call your Service Company.

Be sure the thermostat is switched to Cool, the Fan is switched to Auto, and adjusted low enough to be turning on. Be sure the filter is clean.

(Note: What is outlined in the following sections may or may not diagnose your problem and chances are, even if it does, you will need to call your Service Company for repair. This is only an outline to help locate and understand what the problem may be. Repairs done to the condenser or air handler should be performed by qualified technicians only.)

Condenser
Be sure the thermostat is switched to Cool, the Fan is switched to Auto, and adjusted low enough to be turning on. Be sure the filter is clean.

(Note: What is outlined below may or may not diagnose your problem and chances are, even if it does you will need to call your Service Company for repair. This is only an outline to help locate and understand what the problem may be. Repairs done to the condenser should be performed by qualified technicians only.)

Condenser Not Running (Blown Fuses/Tripped Breakers)
Switch the system off at the thermostat. Check the breakers or fuses. Reset breaker or replace fuses if necessary. Switch the system on at the thermostat. If the breaker trips or the fuse blows again at this point, you need to call your service company. This is an indication of a more serious problem possibly causing a direct short.

If Fuses/Breakers are OK
While next to the condenser, have someone turn the unit on. Did you hear a 'click'? If you did, this is the contactor. It supplies the power to the unit. If the unit did not start at this point, did you hear any other sounds? Loud humming could indicate a bad fan motor, capacitor, or burnt wire. A loud humming with the fan running could indicate a locked compressor. If you can feel excessive heat from the top of the unit, this is another indication of a bad fan motor...causing the compressor to over heat and shut down.

If you did not hear a click, there is a low voltage problem, loose/broken wire, control lockout or bad contractor. If you like, take note of any sounds you hear and let our team know by contacting us below, or requesting a free estimate.

Overload Protection
Some units have time delays installed for overload protection. It protects the compressor from restarting after a power surge or failure. If it is operating properly, it will restart after a few minutes. If it is defective, it will need to be replaced by your Service Company.

Air Handler
Be sure the thermostat is switched to Cool, the Fan is switched to Auto, and adjusted low enough to be turning on. Be sure the filter is clean.

Air Handler Not Running
Usually if the Air Handler is not running, the Condenser will not be running. Switch the system off at the thermostat. Reset breaker or replace fuses if necessary. Switch the system back on. If the breaker trips or the fuse blows again at this point, call your service company.

If Fuses/Breakers are OK
Switch system off. Check the condensation drain section. Some A/C systems have safety devices installed that will help prevent the unit leaking water if the drain becomes backed up. Most drains are gravity feed meaning as moisture is removed from the air; it collects in the condensation pan and removed, usually to the outside, by means of a gradual decline of piping. If the drain system becomes clogged, a float switch (if installed) will shut it down to prevent leaking. Check for excessive water build up in the drain pan or auxiliary drain pan. Clean out the drainpipe and remove the excess water in the pan and restart the system. On systems with Condensate Pumps, be sure the pump is plugged in and not clogged. It may need to be serviced by a professional.

If the condenser is running, the fan relay or blower motor/capacitor could be bad. Again, this will require a service call. Other areas of fault would be the thermostat or low voltage transformer. Unless you have a digital thermostat, usually the thing that will go wrong with it is poor contact because of age or dirt. They are readily available and fairly easy to install in about 10 minutes.