It is 4 pm on a Wednesday in July. The temperature outside is 103 degrees. You walk inside expecting relief, only to realize the house feels exactly the same as it does outside. The AC is not running.
This is not a situation where you have time to wait and see. In Central Texas heat, a home without air conditioning becomes genuinely unsafe within hours, especially for children, elderly family members, and pets. Knowing what to do in the first 30 minutes can make the difference between a quick fix and a miserable night.
4 Things to Check Before Calling for Service
Before calling for emergency AC repair, run through these quick checks. Some of the most common reasons an AC stops working have simple fixes that do not require a technician.
Check the Thermostat
This sounds obvious, but thermostat issues cause a surprising number of service calls. Make sure it is set to COOL, not FAN only; verify the temperature setting is below the current room temperature; and check the batteries if it is a battery-powered model. A dead thermostat battery will shut down the whole system.
Check the Circuit Breaker
Air conditioners draw a lot of power and can trip a breaker, especially during a power surge or brownout. Go to your electrical panel and look for a breaker in the tripped position, which usually sits between ON and OFF. Flip it fully to OFF first, then back to ON. If it trips again immediately, do not keep resetting it. That is a sign of a more serious electrical issue.
Check the Air Filter
A severely clogged filter can cause the evaporator coil to freeze over, which shuts the system down as a protective measure. Pull the filter and check it. If it is completely blocked, replace it and give the system 2 to 3 hours to thaw before restarting. Running the fan only, without cooling, can help speed up the thaw.
Check the Outdoor Unit
Go outside and look at the condenser unit. Is the fan running? Is there ice on the refrigerant lines? Is the unit making unusual sounds or completely silent? A unit that is not running at all may have tripped its own safety switch. Some units have a reset button on the side. If yours does, wait 30 minutes and try pressing it once.
When to Call for Service Immediately
If you have checked all of the above and the system is still not running, it is time to call a technician. Do not keep cycling the system on and off, as this can damage the compressor. Some situations that always require a professional include:
- Ice forming on the indoor unit or refrigerant lines after the filter has been replaced
- A burning smell coming from any part of the system
- The outdoor unit is making loud banging, grinding, or buzzing sounds
- The breaker trips repeatedly after being reset
- The system runs but blows warm air, and the home is not cooling at all
How to Stay Safe While You Wait
In Central Texas summer heat, a home without AC can become dangerous faster than most people expect. While you wait for a technician, take steps to keep the temperature manageable:
- Close blinds and curtains on south and west-facing windows to block direct sun
- Move to the lowest level of the home, where heat accumulates more slowly
- Use fans to create airflow, which helps with perceived temperature even if not actual cooling
- Check on vulnerable family members and pets frequently
- If the home becomes unsafe, a library, grocery store, or cooling center provides relief until the repair is done
Blue Ribbon Is Ready When You Need Us
Blue Ribbon Cooling, Heating, Plumbing, & Electrical is a family-owned company based in Bastrop, TX, serving homeowners throughout Central Texas. When your AC stops working in the middle of a Texas summer, we work to get a technician out as quickly as possible. Schedule your AC repair online