Safety first. Don't open the panels on the outdoor or indoor unit, and don't try to add refrigerant: that needs an EPA-certified technician. If you smell burning, turn the system off and call.
The checklist
- Thermostat. Set to Cool (not Heat, Off or Fan only), a few degrees below the room temperature. Replace the batteries if it has them, and check that a schedule isn't overriding you.
- Air filter. A clogged filter chokes the airflow and can make the indoor coil freeze. If it's grey and you can't see light through it, replace it.
- Breakers. Check the AC breakers in the main panel and the switch box next to the outdoor unit. Reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off and call.
- Outdoor unit. With the system calling for cooling, the fan on top should spin. Clear leaves, grass and anything stacked against the unit so it can breathe.
- Ice. Ice on the copper lines or the indoor coil? Switch the thermostat to Off (or Fan only) and let it thaw. Ice usually means low airflow or low refrigerant, so call if it comes back.
- Drain line and float switch. Many systems shut the AC off when the condensate drain backs up. Standing water in the drain pan under the indoor unit points to a clogged line; clearing one costs about $75–$250.
- Vents. Make sure supply vents and the return grille aren't closed or blocked by furniture.
- The weather. On the hottest Savannah afternoons, a working system can fall behind, especially in an older or less insulated house. If it catches up in the evening, it may be fine.
Call a technician if
- The breaker trips again after one reset
- The outdoor unit hums or clicks but the fan won't spin (often a capacitor or contactor)
- Ice comes back after thawing
- Water keeps leaking, or the system keeps shutting itself off
- Everything above checks out and it still blows warm air
- You hear grinding or squealing, or smell burning
Write down what you found
A few notes help the technician and speed up the quote: what you checked, what the outdoor unit is doing, any noises, and the brand and age of the system (on the outdoor unit's label). You can paste them straight into the quote form below.
Want a number first? The cost estimator prices the common repairs, and the emergency AC repair guide covers after-hours calls.