An air conditioner breakdown is never convenient, but it can quickly turn into a crisis during a heatwave. Indoor temperatures can climb fast, especially in upstairs bedrooms, homes with heavy sun exposure, and households with older adults and young children. Our team at DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. helps Bergen County families handle cooling emergencies with fast, practical answers and 24-hour service. If your AC suddenly stops working during extreme heat, here’s what to do next.
Check the Thermostat Before You Do Anything Else
Before you start checking over your entire AC system, start with your thermostat. Make sure it’s set to “cool,” the temperature setting is below the current room temperature, and the fan is set correctly. Try swapping out your batteries if your model uses them and avoid repeatedly lowering the temperature. Setting the thermostat to 60 degrees won’t make a struggling AC cool down your home any faster.
Check Your Filter and Airflow
An air filter that’s severely clogged will restrict airflow, contribute to frozen coils, and push a strained system closer to failure. Go ahead and replace the filter if it is visibly dirty, and then make sure supply vents and return grilles aren’t blocked by furniture, rugs, or boxes. It’s also not a good idea to close multiple vents to force more cooling into one room. You could end up creating even more airflow problems.
Check the Circuit Breaker
Check your electrical panel for a tripped AC breaker and reset it once if needed. If it trips again, call us right away. Repeatedly resetting a circuit breaker can mask an electrical problem and create a safety risk. The same rule applies if you smell burning, see smoke, or hear electrical buzzing. If you can do so safely, turn off the AC system and get help right away.
Check for Ice Before Restarting the System
When the AC is struggling on a boiling hot day, many homeowners don’t realize they should check for ice on the refrigerant lines or around the indoor unit. Don’t keep restarting your AC if you see ice. A frozen system may have restricted airflow, a dirty coil, or a refrigerant problem. Turn your AC off and give us a call for service. Running the AC fan by itself can help thaw out the coil in some systems, but it won’t fix what’s really going on.
Why Do AC Systems Fail During Heatwaves?
Peak cooling demand often exposes weak components that were already about to fail. Some of the most common causes include:
- Failed capacitors
- Overheated motors
- Clogged filters
- Dirty coils
- Refrigerant leaks
- Electrical problems
- Clogged condensate drains
Long AC run times and high outdoor temperatures can turn a small developing issue into a full breakdown.
Call for 24-Hour Emergency AC Repair
If your AC is down during a dangerous heatwave, you smell burning, see smoke, notice water damage, or someone in the home depends on cooling or air filtration for health reasons, treat it as urgent.
Our team at DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. serves the heating and cooling needs of customers throughout Rockland County, NY, Bergen County, NJ, and surrounding communities. As a family-owned business, our owner is never afraid to roll up his sleeves and work alongside the team.
DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. proudly helps homeowners throughout Bergen County with urgent AC repairs, maintenance, installations, and more. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.