It's 97°F outside. Your AC just stopped. Here's the step-by-step — what to check yourself in the next 10 minutes, and when it's time to call a pro.
Step 1: Check the Thermostat (2 minutes)
Sounds obvious but it's the first thing to eliminate. Make sure it's set to COOL, the temperature is below the current room temp, and the fan is set to AUTO (not ON). If it runs on batteries, swap them. A dead thermostat shuts down the whole system.
Step 2: Check the Air Filter (2 minutes)
Pull the filter. If it's gray and clogged, that's your likely culprit — restricted airflow causes the evaporator coil to freeze, which shuts the system down. Replace the filter, turn the system to FAN ONLY for 30 minutes to thaw the coil, then switch back to COOL.
Step 3: Check the Breaker (2 minutes)
Go to your electrical panel. Find the breaker labeled AC, Condenser, or HVAC. If it's tripped (in the middle position), flip it fully OFF then back ON. If it trips again immediately, stop — there's an electrical fault and you need a tech.
Step 4: Check the Outdoor Unit (2 minutes)
Go outside and look at the condenser unit. Is the fan spinning? Is it making an unusual noise — clicking, buzzing, or humming without running? A failed capacitor (the most common AC part failure in Oklahoma's heat) will cause the fan or compressor to hum but not start. That's a $150–$300 fix when caught early.
Is there ice on the refrigerant lines (the copper pipes going into the house)? That means a frozen coil — usually from a clogged filter or low refrigerant. Turn the system off and call for service.
When To Stop Troubleshooting and Call
- Breaker keeps tripping after reset
- Ice on the lines or outdoor unit
- Loud banging, grinding, or squealing from the outdoor unit
- AC runs but blows warm air and filter is clean
- Water pooling around the indoor air handler
- System won't turn on at all after checking thermostat and breaker
Any of those mean a component has failed. In Oklahoma summer heat, this isn't something to wait on.
Why Bethany and OKC Homeowners Call Kent
Most HVAC companies in the OKC metro will book you 2–3 days out during peak summer. Kent answers the phone himself and gets to most jobs same day. He shows up in a fully stocked truck — the most common failures (capacitors, contactors, refrigerant recharge) get fixed in a single visit without waiting on parts.
No dispatchers, no call centers, no subcontractors. When you call (405) 476-5368, Kent picks up.