{"id":965,"date":"2026-06-08T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/?p=965"},"modified":"2026-06-09T07:21:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T12:21:19","slug":"what-to-do-if-your-ac-breaks-down-during-a-heatwave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/what-to-do-if-your-ac-breaks-down-during-a-heatwave\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do If Your AC Breaks Down During a Heatwave"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Louisiana heatwave can put a lot of stress on any air conditioning system. If your AC suddenly stops working on one of those brutally hot days, it\u2019s easy to panic and immediately start searching for emergency AC repair in Calhoun, LA<\/a>. While our team is available 24\/7 and always ready to help, experienced Louisiana homeowners know that staying calm and checking a few simple things first can sometimes get the system running again without the need for a service call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing to remember is that a temporary cooling problem does not always mean a major breakdown. Air conditioners work hard during periods of extreme heat, and sometimes a minor issue can cause the system to stop operating properly. Before assuming the worst, take a few minutes to perform some basic troubleshooting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your system has completely shut down, start with the easiest and most common causes. A quick inspection could save you time, money, and discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the Thermostat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common reasons an AC system stops running is a thermostat issue. Make sure the thermostat is set to \u201cCool\u201d and that the temperature setting is lower than the current indoor temperature. If your thermostat uses batteries, replace them with fresh ones. It is also worth checking whether anyone accidentally changed the settings. A simple adjustment may be all that is needed to restore cooling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspect the Circuit Breaker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next, head to your electrical panel and look for a tripped breaker. Air conditioning systems require a significant amount of power, especially during a heatwave when they are running almost continuously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the breaker has tripped, reset it once and see if the system starts operating normally. However, if the breaker trips again shortly after resetting, avoid repeatedly resetting it. This could indicate a more serious electrical problem that requires professional AC repair<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a Look at the Air Filter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and cause a variety of cooling problems. In some cases, severe airflow restrictions can even cause the system to shut down as a protective measure. Remove the filter and inspect it. If it appears clogged with dust, dirt, or debris, replace it with a clean filter. This simple maintenance task can improve airflow and help your system operate more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call for Professional Help When Needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have checked the thermostat, inspected the circuit breaker, and replaced a dirty air filter but your AC still will not start, it is time to call in the experts. Continuing to troubleshoot beyond these basic steps can be frustrating and may even risk causing additional damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our HVAC professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond when cooling emergencies happen. We understand how challenging Louisiana heat can be, and we are committed to restoring your comfort as quickly as possible. When your AC refuses to cooperate during a heatwave, you can count on our experienced team to provide fast, reliable service whenever you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact <\/strong>Mike Smith Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC<\/strong><\/a>. We provide \u201cProfessional grade service.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If your AC suddenly stops working on one of those brutally hot days, it\u2019s easy to panic and immediately start searching for emergency AC repair in Calhoun, LA.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[70],"tags":[116,191],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/965"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=965"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/965\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":967,"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/965\/revisions\/967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mikesmithac.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}