Is Your AC Not Turning On in Fort Myers, FL? What to Do

If you live in Fort Myers, Florida, your AC not turning on can be devastating. Temperatures in Fort Myers have average highs in the 90s four months out of the year.

Having a broken AC is stressful, especially in hot areas. Before you panic, however, there are some potential solutions.

Read on to learn everything you need to do when you find your air conditioner not working!

Possible Reasons for AC Not Turning On

Air conditioners use several components to keep your home cool, and there are many different types of AC systems. As a result, potential causes for your AC unit not turning on can vary greatly.

Some common reasons for your AC not coming on include:

Electrical system issues
Thermostat problems
Full drain pan
Blower motor damage
Dirty air filter

AC Not Turning On: Potential Fixes

Often, problems with air conditioning equipment have simple fixes. Before you start planning to replace your whole system, try these solutions:

Inspect the Thermostat

The first thing you should do if your AC won’t come on is to check the thermostat.

Check if you have it switched to “cool.” Ensure the thermostat is set above your home’s current temperature.

If your AC still doesn’t come on, it could be a wiring issue in your thermostat. Look for any wires that are sticking out, disconnected, or exposed.

If there is a wiring issue, you should consider replacing your thermostat.

Check Your Electrical System

If the thermostat isn’t on and the AC won’t start, you may have an electrical issue. The first place you should look is your circuit breaker.

Check to see if any breakers have been tripped (a tripped breaker will be in the “off” position). Simply switch any tripped breakers back on.

In an older home, there may be a fuse box. Instead of a tripped breaker, these systems can sometimes blow a fuse.

Do not attempt fuse repair unless you have electrical experience, as these systems can be dangerous.

Check Your Air Filter and Drain Pan

Sometimes an air filter can get so clogged that it prevents airflow. Check to see if your air filter is especially dusty.

If your filter looks good, move to the drain pan. When air conditioning systems run, they can accumulate condensation and drip water. Any runoff is collected in a drain pan to prevent water damage.

Some systems have a safety shutoff switch that turns the system off when the drain pan is full. If your drain pan has collected a lot of water, empty it out to see if the system comes back on.

To empty the pan, cut power to the unit and remove the water with a vacuum, then turn the power back on.