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Your AC Won’t Turn On… Now What?

Anchor Heating and Air is your #StillLocal heating & air conditioning company serving Charleston, SC and the surrounding areas. 

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Written by
Stephanie Postell
Your AC Won’t Turn On… Now What?

Helpful Information

A hot Charleston summertime day is no time to realize your air conditioner is not turning on.

Anchor Heating & Air shares a few practical troubleshooting tips. If your AC won’t turn on after you try these, our expert team is ready to assist with any HVAC issues.

1. Assess for Thermostat Issues

A malfunctioning or misadjusted thermostat is one of the most common reasons an air conditioner will not turn on. The thermostat controls all inputs to the unit that instruct it when to turn on or off.

Ensure you have set your thermostat to “cool” mode and the temperature is lower than the current indoor temperature. Check the batteries in the thermostat and make sure it is free of dust or dirt.

2. Check the Circuit Breaker

Cooling systems draw a significant amount of power and occasionally cause the circuit breaker controlling their power supply to trip. This safety mechanism prevents dangerous electrical overloads. However, just like a fuse blown in older systems, a tripped breaker cuts the power to your unit, preventing it from turning on.

Go to your home’s electrical panel and find the breaker associated with your HVAC unit. If it tripped, flip it to “off” and back to “on.” If the breaker trips again immediately or shortly after, there could be a more serious electrical issue that needs immediate professional inspection, including wiring or capacitor problems.

3. Replace the Air Filter

An air filter clogged with dust and debris is another potential reason your AC won’t turn on. Significantly restricted airflow can cause a unit to overheat and freeze up.

Check your system’s air filter and replace it if it’s dirty. You must change filters at least every 90 days, but check them every 30 days — especially during the summer heat.

4. Inspect the Condensate Drain Line

Your air conditioner removes moisture from indoor air. The excess moisture travels through the condensate drain line. These can become clogged with algae, mold, or debris, causing water to back up and trigger a safety switch — shutting down the system.

You can usually access the condensate drain line through a vertical PVC pipe with a cap near the indoor unit. You can try clearing minor clogs by flushing the line with water and vinegar.

5. Look for Ice Buildup

Ice buildup on the evaporator coils or refrigerant lines can cause units to shut themselves down to prevent significant damage.

If you see ice on your air conditioning unit, shut the system completely off immediately and allow all the ice to thaw. Though this can take several hours, if the problem continues, call for expert assistance.

When To Call the Professionals at Anchor Heating & Air

If you’ve worked through these tips and your AC won’t turn on, call our team of expert technicians to take a look. Anchor Heating & Air has over 30 years of experience serving the residents of the Charleston area, and you can rely on our commitment to complete customer satisfaction with every job we perform.

Contact us online or call (843) 564-7777 to discuss your HVAC repair, installation, or maintenance needs.

steph and david a7f65258
About The Author

Stephanie Postell

Stephanie is the Co-Owner and COO of Anchor Heating and Air and is a lifelong resident of Charleston, South Carolina. Stephanie and her husband David have over 30 years experience in heating and air conditioning.
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Kelly T.
1728571365
Jordan was very professional , personable and took multiple pictures of our unit and parts in the attic and explained everything to me in a way I understood. Our former HVAC company never took pics. I very much appreciated Jordan wearing shoe covers in our home. We look forward to continue having Anchor maintain & service our HVAC system.
ralph S.
1728567794
Great communication before, during and after our visit.Jordan our technician was courteous, knowledgeable and very pleasant. I would highly recommend Anchor for all of your Heating and AC needs.
Nancy S.
1728567260
Timely, responsive comprehensive 6 month check up and maintenance visit.
Sidney C.
1728506556
We called around 1pm today for A/C service.An appointment was scheduled for 3-8 pm, today. The technician arrived at 3 pm. Rick was very professional and resolved our issue on the spot !!!
Abby
1728306342
Everyone has been very courteous and they respond to messages promptly. My technician, Alex, was outstanding…friendly and thorough. I highly recommend this company.
B&H L.
1728303460
I appreciate the quick action in repairing the HVAC. Alex was very polite and apologetic.
Gina P.
1728227362
Anchor Heating and Air continues to provide great service. Their tech Brandon conducted our semiannual service and did a great job!
Donald H.
1728082170
Alex Roman did a superb job with our dual system preventative maintenance. He did a very thorough and complete check and then discussed all the inspection results, including photos, with us. Alex was extremely polite and very efficient. We are very happy with our service from Anchor!
Malory S.
1727828920
Brandon was great! Kind and so helpful! Highly recommend Anchor.
Thomas N.
1727628791
Technician was prompt, knowledgeable, friendly and clean. He did an excellent job.
teri R.
1727557146
Professional, personable, and easy to communicate and work with.
Adam H.
1727380385
Alex was my technician today for my biannual HVAC maintenance. He provided one of the most professional special trades experiences I have ever had. He was extremely thorough, took pictures of everything, and took the time to review them with me. He explained what he did and made me feel like I received great value for my appointment. Based on what I experienced today, I would recommend Anchor to anyone for their HVAC needs. Thank you. Hold onto that guy, he is great.
D S
1727358673
Anchor heating and air has been great to work out tech Jonathan was perfect
Deane C.
1727352344
Very knowledgeable and professional. Great company and employees.
Betty anne C.
1727282420
Hannah R.
1727266315
Anchor and heating and Air provided excellent service. My AC went out around 3:30 in the afternoon and they were at my house by 6 PM to get us up and running. Doug was very knowledgeable. We will definitely be a returning customer.
Mona B.
1727226944
I have never had such great service from a company! I highly recommend Anchor for any heating/air service. They are on time, friendly, and give excellent care!
Brian S.
1727210466
Great service! Jonathon Blackwell was great. He was very good at his job and made sure any concerns or questions were answered.
Shannon R.
1727119087
Brandon was a knowledgeable tech who provided a thorough inspection. He explained the repairs needed for our system to function better. Highly recommend!
Robin T.
1727006786
Anchor is very professional! Nice to call and talk to someone and not a recording. You get appointments quickly. And you get good notifications when they arrive. Always professional technicians. Definitely a 5 star company.
Roseanna M.
1726932787
Alex was very professional and did a great job!
Becky R.
1726921303
Brandon was professional and kind.
Catherine L.
1726774908
9/19/2024 Jonathan Blackwell did our installations today. Anchor is always on time and communicates well with us, the customer!Rick Simmons at Anchor Heating and Air is fantastic. Our service was at the end of a long hot day. He still took the time needed to be thorough He explained next steps to me and to a neighbor who was concerned about condensation. I am very happy with the folks at Anchor.
RUFFIE M.
1726762125
My technician Jorden was very professional and explained everything he did today. This company was referred to me by Hank Simon and glad he did. I would recommend this company.
Harve J.
1726760555
Want to give a shout out to Anchor Heating and Air LLC ! Yesterday they did their first inspection of our new AC units and everything looked good. The technician even took photos of the entire inspection process and emailed them to me. Buying a new AC unit is a major purchase but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for and in this case we definitely got our money’s worth!
Kirstin S.
1726685020
Rick was an excellent service provider.He was professional and detailed.
Alan B.
1726674575
Rick was spot on time!
Steve R.
1726575728
Alex performed our preventative maintenance on two HVAC units. He was extremely thorough and clearly explained all his findings and recommendations. Alex was very courteous and professional. We appreciate the honest and reliable service that Anchor provides.
Kathy H.
1726538817
We called Anchor Heating and Air the day before Christmas Eve. What a pleasant experience! We had family coming in and our heating unit was making a noise. We were worried it could stop working. Rick Simmons was available and was at our house within an hour. He was obviously skilled and knowledgeable. He thoroughly checked it out and made sure all was OK. It was just the extra cold weather we were experiencing. Anchor was in constant contact after our initial call letting us know Rick’s experience, telling us about his great customer service and sending tracking info so we would know exactly when to expect him. Rick did a professional job for us and we would not only call on Anchor and Rick Simmons again but we highly recommend if anyone needs help with heating and air service to call them. You wont be disappointed.
Chuck S.
1726500500
Great service call and solid recommendations on caring for the system .Excellent job and counsel from Brandon
Bob D.
1726456297
Jack and Ryan from Anchor heating n air . They are 2 really great guys honest respectful. Clean workers go above and beyond they really helped my family out . They are not out for your money they try to save you money ,and that’s rare these days .I have a maintenance plan with them so they take care of everything.
Tim P.
1726253387
The technicians were very knowledgable, friendly and most important ON TIME. If you need help with your heating and air condition these are the people to call.
Michael P.
1726250438
Very professional and helpful
Marjorie G.
1726240787
If you're seeking a dependable HVAC company, look no further than Anchor Heating and Air LLC. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is unparalleled, and their team of experts delivers exceptional service every time. My most recent encounter with them proves that they go the extra mile to provide the best possible experience.
Alex C.
1726230288
Stephanie B.
1726155890
Thanks Rick & Anchor Heating & Air for saving us another time. Timely, friendly, helpful & knowledgeable. Thanks all.
Jon S.
1726146272
After meeting David and Stephanie, Owners, and getting to know them and their culture, I KNEW they were going to become my trusted HVAC Company. I asked them to come out and service my HVAC, getting it ready for the winter months, and their technician, Jordan, was amazing! I loved how they kept in constant communication for an arrival time, I was greeted with a clean-cut, professional technician, and the work was done in short order. I was super impressed with how the culture of this company filters down to the employees. Jordan made me feel important, and I appreciate that. Anchor Heating and Air rocks!
Patrick S.
1726102196
Awesome experience with Anchor Heating and Air. They were on time an the service Technician Doug took the time to explain everything. Best part was he took photos to show us what he found. Would definitely recommend them to all...
Katie E.
1726101616
Great service! Rick was super!Update to add Jonathan came out for our 2nd service and he was outstanding as well.
Parker W.
1726076899
Brandon provided great service and took the time to explain all of the options in a digestible way. He went above and beyond to diagnose the issue and try various solutions. One of the best service appointments and most knowledgeable technicians I have had and will definitely be using Anchor again.
Judy G.
1726013802
Very knowledgeable staff. Everyone they send is willing to explain all details and are very helpful.
Diane F.
1725994194
On time. Polite and professional. Knowledgeable and showed pictures of work before and after. Made suggestions for later work. Wore shoe covers which shows he’s respectful. Diane
Matt D.
1725983463
We chose Anchor Heating and Air Conditioning for our recent issues with our AC and I'm so glad we did! We were very impressed with our technician, Brandon. He was amazing from start to finish with this whole ordeal. He was courteous, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. He diagnosed our problem and explained our options and the whole process. We were given a loner window unit while we waited for the part to come in. The day of the install went smoothly and Brandon had our AC up and running within a few hours. I can't recommend this company enough because the whole experience was pleasant and as stress free as could be!
John Michael M.
1725912293
Called Anchor Heating & Air when my house wasn't cooling. Brandon their excellent technician came and replaced my capacitor in the matter of minutes. Brandon was very informative and helpful and answered all our annoying questions politely. Would strongly recommend Anchor for any A/C and heating issues.
Ricky H.
1725904809
Our technician was very knowledgeable and took the time to thoroughly explain our a/c system. He even went an extra step helping us to better understand our smart thermostat! I highly recommend Anchor Heating and Air!!!
Nathan H.
1725901112
On time, professional and friendly.
Sharon L.
1725882977
he was polite, knowledgeable and fixed the problem quickly!!
DAVID R.
1725797309
Anchor HVAC is a life saver. They are very responsive and professionalThe technician Brandon diagnosed a somewhat technically complicated issue and got the unit back on lineI highly recommend the Anchor team
Laura M.
1725735264
Sue D.
1725639466
Jonathan was thorough & detailed in delivering news that my system needed to be replaced-a message I did not want to hear.An ex-military guy, he was courteous & patient in answering my numerous questions & promised to send me am email confirming the details he gave me verbally so I would have a written confirmation of these details. He also was able to arrange for someone to come out same day to give me an estimate. I could not have asked for better service.
John G.
1725636185
Anchor Heating sent Alex Roman to my house for a maintenance inspection on 9/6. After he completed his work, he spent an incredible amount of time using pictures from his IPad to discuss everything that he inspected. He is a very professional and pleasant employee who demonstrates a sincere desire to satisfy his customers. As I mentioned in previous experiences with Anchor Heating/AC, they by far are a professional and highly experienced company! A must for every homeowner!
john M.
1725567363
Very responsive and great service. Best group I’ve worked with.
Zachary H.
1725476425
Stephanie and David go above and beyond again! 15 yr old unit seemed to be leaking air into the attic. They had a guy in the neighborhood they sent over to check it out and Jordan didn’t stop until he found the source. Thanks again! Will never regret joining the Captain’s Club.
kristina S.
1725457710
Arrived not only on time but early! Super thorough. Gave our system a checkup up and estimated for duct cleaning. No charge for system check and estimate for vent cleaning. A family run business you can trust.
Stephanie E.
1725455155
5 stars all the way!!
Mohammed Al G.
1725402485
Such a great company. My AC broke and they were avaialble immediately and they provided temporary window type AC to help with the hot weather for no extra cost.They instlled new AC system with no mistake. Great price. I highly recommend this company. No headache, No waiting. Perfect work!!!
Alexander A.
1725378153
Phyllis
1725279362
Anchor Heating & Air was recommended by a friend of mine. My experience was friendly and professional from beginning to end. The office staff kept me informed. Jordan was able to diagnose my unit and fixed it in very timely fashion. I would recommend this company to anyone looking for an honest reputable business
Wanda E.
1725236128
David was very personable, professional and extremely knowledgeable. He took his time and was very thorough. All staff members I spoke with were helpful and extremely nice. Felt like I mattered and was not 'just another sale'. Thank you!!
Lauren B.
1725033994
Jordan was great and spent ample time during my maintenance appointment. He was knowledgeable and friendly and answered all of my questions.
Mary Elizabeth P.
1724423022
Brandon came out to service our two units as part of the preventative maintenance plan through Anchor. To say that I was impressed with the service Brandon provided would be an understatement. I was absolutely blow away by the time he took looking at each unit, and explaining to me what needed to be done. He provided estimates for the work, but didn't try to sell me on anything (which for me was the biggest thing). I felt like he genuinely cared about providing quality service to us, and went above and beyond in every aspect of what he did. I would highly recommend Anchor to my friends and family for any future work they may need done on their units.
Edward D.
1723653209
Jeremy Lee did an excellent job estimating the cost of a split HVAC unit. Unfortunately the cost is much more than I anticipated and I have decided not move ahead with the project.
N. B.
1723471116
Anchor heating and air responded quickly when I reached out that my AC stopped working one of the hottest weeks of the summer. Of 4 companies they were the only ones who tried to look for the cause of what happened so that it wouldn’t happen again. We had a new AC up and running in less than 24 hours. They were very respectful of our home, even wearing foot covers over their shoes to protect our floors. They listened to our needs, didn’t try to oversell us on more than what we needed and were reasonably priced.
Elizabeth G.
1723294452
Very friendly, great communication as well as service! Very glad to have signed up for the maintenance plan as I am certain Anchor will take great care of my heating and air system for years. Rick was awesome!
Ashley C.
1723031406
They were able to get my tenants on the schedule for a non emergency within 2 days. Their system keeps you posted on the ETA and who is coming to the house. Ron Heath was the technician and he was friendly, thorough, honest, and knowledgeable. The system was working properly by the time he got there and so Ron made sure everything was operating as it should and levels were where they needed to be and we were only charged for the service call since it was all good! He also explained the program we could join for servicing twice a year and discounts that came with that. As a property manager , I would absolute use them again!
katherine H.
1722452698
Terrific experience with Anchor H&A. Responsive and quick appointment turn around time. Our technician, Doug Patton, was knowledable and friendly. Highly recommend!
Amanda E.
1722161614
Anchor was great to work with. They came out quickly to get our unit back up and running during a very hot summer season. Everyone I spoke with was pleasant, and Jerffery, the tech, did an outstanding job. Communication was good and pricing was fair.
Xain X.
1722139661
Cary E.
1721918780
Called Anchor when the air went out for the 2nd and 3rd floors of our home. They found a way to come out the same day. Jeffrey quickly diagnosed our issues (there were many) and clearly explained what the issues were and our options for repairs. After reviewing what all needed to be done, we opted for replacing the unit and related zone controls. Jeffrey provided several estimates and explained each to us. To help bridge the time until the install could be completed, they provided 2 window units to help cool the second floor. Patrick and Haleigh did our install and did an excellent job as well as providing a detailed explanation on how the heat pump and zone controls working. Communication by Anchor during this process was excellent.
Kaylynn C.
1720871773
Anchor Heating and Air cleaned out my dryer vent. They were thorough, showed me before and after pictures, and were very professional. I highly recommend them!
Jessica D.
1720189035
my experience with Amanda the tech was amazing friendly honest and great customer service and I look forward to working with other from anchor
Pascale B.
1720094210
Great service, they came right away! Highly recommended
Jamey S.
1720051347
Doug got our AC back up and running. He found the leak and the new part is on order. Scheduled replacement is Monday!
Lee C.
1720030781
Awesome service! Showed up on time. Wore shoe covers inside the house. Very professional. Highly recommend!
Kyle R.
1719917387
Jeff Hoppe was great. He helped me figure out exactly what problem I was having with my system and gave me some great advice on thermostats. Didn’t try to push any unnecessary purchases/replacements just diagnosed and helped me fix what was wrong. Great experience and would highly recommend
Nita H.
1719710705
Anchor Heating & Air is one of the best HVAC companies I have ever used.Caitlyn (sp?) was super responsive, very thorough, accommodating, and pleasant. She got me on the schedule right away.Technician Brandon Cobb is beyond top-notch. Punctual, personable, professional, attentive, thorough, explained everything really well, answered my various questions, and most importantly, resolved my issue!I highly recommend Anchor Heating & Air and I am looking forward to them maintaining my system ongoing.
Ash L.
1719584645
Jack and Ryan were knowledgeable and honest in helping us navigate the complexity of our HVAC needs. I highly recommend Anchor Heating and Air. The entire team is responsive and ready to assist you will all your HVAC needs.
Cory R.
1719235641
Doug came out to our home and quickly diagnosed the problem. Very professional and thorough.
Debby M.
1719074074
Had a new system installed yesterday Everything was explained before signing contract. Our techs were very professional, neat , placed a window AC unit in our bedroom and living room to keep us comfortable while the system they were replacing was shut down.
Dan P.
1718794469
Garren B.
1718453844
I can not say enough good things about this company. From the office to the technician has been a great pleasure to work with. Brandon our technician was absolutely amazing. He explained everything in great detail during our maintenance call. The office staff was great to work with in scheduling.
Lisa O.
1718398296
I will definitely recommend Anchor in the future. The office was friendly when I called and they were able to schedule an appointment for the next day. Doug, the tech, was very professional and gave me clear explanations of the problems and the work necessary. They made a frustrating situation much easier.
tammy H.
1718290950
Always great!
Bruce N.
1718277151
Brian and Jeffery were great. They performed a very thorough service and offered some ideas to improve our systems.
Laura S.
1717844520
Excellent Company! So glad they bought out Green Dot as well! Looks like they are getting the reputation back that Island Mechanical had for years on Johns Island. I fired Green Dot!
Joel M.
1717616189
Great service and very respectful! Highly recommended.
Jeanette K.
1717605536
The team at Anchor Heating & Air are the best. Stephanie set us up with the soonest available appointment. Rick arrived at the specified time. Rick was personable, professional, very thorough and though the repair turned out to be extensive, Anchor offered a window AC unit for nighttime comfort. While the part was being acquired for our repair, Jack delivered the AC unit. Jack was equally personable & professional. Then there is Alyssa who called with our estimate & scheduled the final repair. Alyssa is equally as wonderful as Rick & Jack, which brings us back to Rick, who arrived this morning with the part, completed the repair and we are now sitting in the comfort of our air conditioned home. This wonderful team of people are the first company that we’ve worked with in this capacity who are truly empathetic, truly understand how their clients feel and do everything possible to ensure the best experience. It’s not what they do, it’s who they are. We are extremely grateful!
chris R.
1717601997
They are amazing to deal with. Easy scheduling showed up on time. Did amazing work excellent communication and I personally think they saved my house from burning down. They came and inspected my dryer vent. Needless to say it was very very bad. Check out the before and after photos I would definitely recommend them for all your HVAC ductwork needs
Halcyon home S.
1717426581
Very helpful and knowledgeable. Overall great experience.
Al M.
1717170145
Great customer service, professional and polite!
Ryan W.
1716850666
Unbelievable experience! My AC stopped working last week. I left a message last Wednesday night and was up and running before noon on Thursday. Outstanding! Alyssa called me first thing in the morning to get me on the schedule and Doug was there before 10am to fix the problem. He was absolutely fantastic and took care of everything. Thank you guys so much for taking care of me. 10/10! I highly recommend Anchor for AC help.
Chad H.
1716825108
Showed up on time. Very professional. Very knowledgeable. Definitely would use again.
Chrissy Gregory DNP MSN MBA RN A.
1716578309
There was a one-day delay on parts, but 5-Star for sure!!!
Leslie H.
1715353435
Doug was so nice, courteous and fixed the issue quickly! I’m so glad I reached out to Anchor Heating & air!
Marc O.
1715112899
5 stars for Brandon: he did a first-rate job for our annual HVAC service. He was knowledgeable, courteous, and a pleasure to deal with.
Quero D.
1714595974
It would be good to not receive multiple review requests until you guys do the actual service. I have received 4 requests to provide 5 star reviews but you are not scheduled to do the service until next week. However, once the service guy, Ron turned up he was great, professional, knowledgeable and explained everything he was doing and made recommendations to keep the units in good shape - thank you Ron.
Stuart B.
1714438063
Appreciate the friendliness and professionalism of Jeremy Lee who came out to provide an estimate for a replacement HVAC system. Jeremy spoke highly of Anchor and the friendliness of his co-workers. It would have been great to do business with the folks at Anchor just based on what Jeremy thought of his colleagues. I received a call from a co-owner, David who reached out to me to find out what I was thinking. Great family business and when circumstances allow, I will reach out to them again.
G R.
1714304454
They are on-time professionals who know what they're doing.
Jan J.
1714304354
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