Troubleshooting Guide · Marion, Ohio
Before you call for a service visit, walk through these common causes. Most “AC not cooling” calls we get in Marion have a fix you can do yourself in under 20 minutes.
7-step guide
Work through these steps in order. Each one takes 1–5 minutes and covers the most common reasons air conditioners stop cooling in central Ohio summers.
Make sure your thermostat is set to COOL (not HEAT, OFF, or FAN ONLY) and the target temperature is at least 3–5°F below the current room temperature. Quick test: switch the fan to ON instead of AUTO. If the blower runs but the air isn't cold, the issue is with the cooling system, not the thermostat.
If the thermostat display is blank, check the batteries and power first.
A clogged air filter is the #1 cause of AC problems. It restricts airflow over the evaporator coil, causing it to freeze up and stop cooling. Pull the filter out and check it — if it's gray, matted, or you can't see light through it, replace it immediately.
After replacing the filter, run the system for 30 minutes. If the coil was partially frozen, it needs time to thaw and resume normal operation.
A clean filter alone solves about 40% of “AC not cooling” calls.
Your AC system has two breakers — one for the indoor air handler (or furnace blower) and one for the outdoor condenser. Both need to be on. Go to your electrical panel and check for tripped breakers (middle position). Flip fully OFF, then back ON.
If the outdoor breaker keeps tripping, stop and call PJ's — the compressor may be pulling too much current, which is a fire risk.
Go outside and look at the condenser unit. Is it running? Can you hear the fan and compressor? If the outdoor unit is completely silent when the thermostat is calling for cooling, it may have a tripped breaker, a blown fuse in the disconnect box (the gray box on the wall near the unit), or a failed start capacitor.
Also check that nothing is blocking airflow — trim vegetation, clear leaves and grass clippings, and keep at least 2 feet clear on all sides.
Dirt, grass clippings, and cottonwood fluff clog the condenser coils and prevent heat from dissipating. The compressor works harder, runs hotter, and eventually can't cool your house. Gently spray the coils from the inside out using a garden hose.
NEVER use a pressure washer — high pressure bends the delicate aluminum fins and makes the problem worse.
In Marion, cottonwood fluff season (June) is especially bad. Check the coils monthly during summer.
Open the access panel on your indoor unit or look at the copper refrigerant lines going into the furnace. If you see ice on the coil or the lines are frosted over, your coil is frozen. Turn the system OFF and set the fan to ON for 2–4 hours to thaw completely.
Common freeze causes: dirty filter (check step 2), low refrigerant (needs a tech), or a failing blower motor (not spinning fast enough). If the coil refreezes after thawing, you likely have a refrigerant leak — this requires a licensed technician.
Your AC produces condensation that drains through a small PVC pipe near the indoor unit. If this drain clogs (usually with algae or dust), water backs up and may trigger a safety float switch that shuts the entire system off.
Pour a cup of white vinegar through the drain line to clear buildup. If you see standing water in the drain pan, soak it up with a towel first, then clear the line.
Know the signs
If you've worked through all 7 steps and your AC still won't cool, the problem is likely internal. Here's what typically needs a technician.
If the coil freezes repeatedly after thawing and the filter is clean, you likely have a refrigerant leak. Only a licensed technician can locate, repair, and recharge the system. Cost: $200–$500 for a recharge; coil replacement if the leak is severe.
Call nowA failed start capacitor is the most common AC part failure. The compressor tries to start (you hear a hum or buzz) but the fan won't spin. A stick can sometimes nudge the fan into spinning, but this is a temporary bandage — the capacitor needs replacing ($150–$300).
On a 95°F day, even a healthy AC may struggle to hit 72°F. But if it runs all day and the house is still 80+, suspect low refrigerant, dirty coils, undersized equipment, or duct leaks. An annual tune-up catches these early.
AC systems last 12–20 years. If yours is near the end and repairs are frequent, a new high-efficiency system may cost less than another summer of repairs. Modern units use 30–50% less electricity.
Common questions
The most common reasons: dirty air filter restricting airflow, low refrigerant from a leak, dirty condenser coils (outdoor unit), frozen evaporator coil, or a failing compressor. Start with the filter — a clean filter alone solves about 40% of “AC not cooling” calls.
If the fan blows but the air isn't cold: check the thermostat is set to COOL (not FAN ONLY), check both circuit breakers (indoor + outdoor), and verify the outdoor unit is actually running. If the outdoor compressor isn't running but the indoor fan is, the outdoor unit may have a blown capacitor or tripped breaker — call PJ's at (740) 382-6141.
Ice on the evaporator coil means airflow is restricted or refrigerant is low. Check the filter first. If the filter is clean and the coil still freezes, you likely have a refrigerant leak — a problem that requires a licensed technician. Turn OFF, set fan to ON, let it thaw 2–4 hours before calling for service.
At least once per season (spring, before heavy use). In Marion, cottonwood fluff in June is a major coil clogger — check monthly during cottonwood season. Spray coils gently from inside-out with a garden hose. Keep vegetation trimmed 2+ feet on all sides.
Most AC repairs in Marion cost $150–$600. Common repairs: capacitor replacement ($150–$300), refrigerant recharge ($200–$500), contactor ($150–$300), blower motor ($300–$600). Full system replacement for units 12–15+ years old: $4,000–$8,000 installed. PJ's provides a clear estimate before starting work — no surprises.
Related services
Full diagnosis and repair — capacitors, refrigerant, compressors, coils, ductwork. Same-day service available.
Prevent breakdowns before they happen. A spring tune-up catches low refrigerant, dirty coils, and weak capacitors early.
Heat pumps cool in summer AND heat in winter from a single unit. Modern heat pumps work efficiently down to 0°F.
What our customers say
★★★★★“AC stopped cooling on a 93° day. PJ’s had a tech here within the hour. Turned out to be a dead capacitor — had the part on the truck, fixed in 20 minutes. Reasonable price and zero pressure to replace the whole unit. That’s how it should be.”
Helpful Articles
Tips and guides from our team:
★★★★★“Our old AC was freezing up every week. We tried replacing the filter ourselves (didn’t help). PJ’s found a slow refrigerant leak, fixed it, and recharged the system. Running perfectly all summer since.”
If you've tried the steps above and your AC still isn't keeping up, fill out the form and we'll call you back — usually within the hour. For emergencies, call directly.
(740) 382-6141