Fall Furnace Tune-Up Checklist for Toms River Homeowners
August 31, 2026How Often Does HVAC Equipment Really Need Maintenance?
August 31, 2026An air conditioner that runs but does not cool is one of the most common calls we get during a Jersey Shore heat wave. Some causes are simple enough to check in five minutes. Others need a licensed technician. Here is how to tell them apart.
1. A Clogged Air Filter
Start here every time. A loaded filter restricts airflow across the indoor coil, which drops capacity and can freeze the coil solid. If you find ice on the refrigerant lines or the indoor unit, shut the system off, set the fan to ON to thaw it, and replace the filter.
2. Thermostat Settings or Batteries
Confirm the thermostat is on COOL, the setpoint is below room temperature, and the fan is on AUTO rather than ON — a fan left on ON blows room-temperature air between cooling cycles and feels like a failure.
3. A Dirty Outdoor Condenser Coil
The outdoor unit rejects heat. Cottonwood, grass clippings, salt air residue and shrubs packed against the cabinet all trap that heat. Keep two feet of clearance on all sides and rinse the coil gently with a garden hose, power off, from the inside out.
4. A Failed Capacitor
If the outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin, a failed run capacitor is a likely suspect. This is an inexpensive part, but it stores a charge and should be tested and replaced by a technician.
5. Low Refrigerant — Which Means a Leak
Refrigerant is not consumed. A system that is low is leaking, and simply “topping it off” every season means paying repeatedly for refrigerant that ends up in the atmosphere. The correct repair is to locate and fix the leak, then charge the system to the manufacturer’s specification.
6. A Tripped Breaker or Blown Fuse
Most outdoor units have both a breaker in the panel and a disconnect switch outside. If a breaker trips once, reset it. If it trips again, stop and call — repeated tripping usually points to a failing compressor, motor or wiring fault.
7. A System That Is Simply Undersized or Worn Out
Systems past roughly 12–15 years lose capacity, and older R-22 systems are expensive to service because that refrigerant is no longer produced. If yours struggles through every heat wave and needs repairs each summer, a replacement conversation is worth having before the next failure.
Simple Habits That Prevent Most Calls
- Change the filter on a schedule, not when you remember.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of plantings and debris.
- Pour a cup of water down the condensate line each season and confirm it drains.
- Book a cooling tune-up in the spring, before the first 90-degree stretch.
Talk to a Local HVAC Team You Can Reach
D.K. Sledzik Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has served Toms River and Ocean County homeowners for over 40 years, with 24-hour emergency service at 732-349-0389. Schedule service online or contact us with a question about your system.
