The weather is heating up, which means that it’s time to crank up the AC and bask in the glory of refreshing cool air. But if your system has been sitting unused since last year, you might find that it’s not all smooth sailing. Before you put in a service call, try these simple fixes – you just might save yourself some time and money.
The problem: Your airflow is lacking
If your system has poor airflow, the problem could be as simple as checking your filters. Just open your inside unit and replace old disposable filters, or vacuum out mesh ones. If your filter is caked with dust and hair, there’s no way your system can be working at capacity.
The problem: Your outdoor unit won’t turn on
Outdoor unit won’t startup? Try a basic fix before worrying about the worst-case scenario. Head to your breaker box and check that your AC breaker is on. If the breaker has tripped, just turn it back on again. This is much more cost-efficient than having a technician do it for you!
The problem: Your indoor unit won’t turn on
This fix is similar to the one above. Before you make the call, do a quick spot check to see that your system is plugged in and that the cord is in good condition. Things can move around and get jostled out of place even when they’re tucked away out of sight.
The problem: Your thermostat is blank
If your thermostat doesn’t seem to be working, pop it off the wall and check to see whether it’s the type that takes batteries. If so, a battery change might do the trick. A hardwired system with a blank screen, on the other hand, is most likely an electrical issue.
These simple issues are enough to stop your system from working – but are easily fixed by taking a quick moment to check your unit. The solutions may seem trivial, but we’ve fielded plenty of calls just like these. Hopefully, we’ve saved you from having to answer that cringe-inducing question, “is it plugged in?”
If you’ve tried all of the above fixes and your AC still isn’t working the way it should be, don’t hesitate to call the team at Shaw or use the form the below to arrange for a technician to help you out. We’ll get you up and running again in no time.

