Last updated: October 4, 2026
An air conditioner that quits usually does it on the hottest day of the week. Before you call, a few quick checks will either get it running again or tell the technician where to start.
Short answer: Check the thermostat, both breakers, the air filter and the outdoor unit. If you see ice on the unit or the refrigerant line, switch cooling off and let it thaw. If the breaker keeps tripping, leave it off and call.
What to check before you call
- Thermostat. Make sure it is set to COOL and set below the room temperature. Replace the batteries if the display is dim or blank.
- Breakers. An air conditioner usually has two: one for the indoor unit and one for the outdoor unit. Reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off.
- Outdoor disconnect. Check that the shutoff box beside the outdoor unit hasn't been switched off or pulled.
- Air filter. A clogged filter chokes airflow, which weakens cooling and can freeze the indoor coil. Replace it.
- Outdoor unit. Clear leaves, grass clippings and anything stacked against it. It needs open space around it to shed heat.
- Vents and returns. Open closed vents and move furniture away from returns.
If you see ice
Frost or ice on the outdoor unit or the refrigerant line means the system isn't moving enough air or is low on refrigerant. Switch cooling off at the thermostat, set the fan to ON to help it thaw, and check the filter. If it ices up again, it needs a technician.
Are you in need of professional services for your home’s heating and cooling systems?
Contact Tri-Tech Heating, Inc. for expert solutions today!
What the symptoms usually mean
- Runs but blows warm air. Often low refrigerant, a dirty outdoor coil or a compressor problem. A system that is low on refrigerant has a leak, since refrigerant doesn't get used up.
- Outdoor unit hums but the fan doesn't spin. Often a failed capacitor or fan motor. Switch the system off so it doesn't overheat.
- Nothing happens at all. Power, the thermostat or a safety switch on the condensate drain. If the checks above don't bring it back, call.
- Turns on and off every few minutes. Short cycling can come from a dirty filter, a frozen coil, a refrigerant problem or a system that is the wrong size for the house.
- Water around the indoor unit. Usually a clogged condensate drain.
- Breaker keeps tripping. Leave it off. Repeated resets can damage the compressor.
For other symptoms, see common HVAC problems and when to call a professional.
Leave refrigerant to a technician
Topping up refrigerant doesn't fix anything, because the leak is still there. A technician finds and repairs the leak, then charges the system to specification.
Repair or replace?
Most of these are repairs. Systems from before about 2010 often use R-22 refrigerant, whose production has ended, so repairs on those are increasingly costly. If yours is one of them, compare the repair against a replacement. See air conditioning installation in Vancouver WA.
Preventing it
A spring tune-up catches a weak capacitor, a dirty coil and a slow drain before the first hot week. See HVAC maintenance and our seasonal maintenance checklist.
Get your cooling back
Tri-Tech Heating, Inc. repairs all makes of air conditioners and heat pumps across Vancouver, Camas, Salmon Creek and Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania Counties and the Portland metro area. Learn more about AC repair in Vancouver WA, or contact us.
Our office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm, and a call to (360) 891-2002 during those hours reaches a person. After hours, call the same number and a live person from our answering service will take your information. They'll text our on-call technician right away, or, if you'd rather wait, pass your request to our office and we'll respond by 9:00am the next business day. Licensed HVAC #TRITEHI952LL, CCB #161426.
Are you in need of professional services for your home’s heating and cooling systems?
Contact Tri-Tech Heating, Inc. for expert solutions today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
The most common causes are a clogged air filter, a dirty outdoor coil, a frozen indoor coil or low refrigerant. Check the filter and clear the outdoor unit first. If it still blows warm air, it needs a technician.
Should I turn my AC off if it is not cooling?
Yes, if you see ice on the unit or the refrigerant line, if the outdoor unit hums without the fan spinning, or if the breaker keeps tripping. Running it in those conditions can damage the compressor.
Why does my AC keep tripping the breaker?
It can be a failing capacitor, a compressor or fan motor problem, or a wiring fault. Reset the breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off and call a technician.
Can I add refrigerant to my AC myself?
No. Refrigerant is not a do-it-yourself job, and a system that is low on refrigerant has a leak that needs to be found and repaired.
Company Information
Tri-Tech Heating, Inc.
6406 NE 116th Ave Unit C
Vancouver, WA 98662
Phone: (360) 891-2002