No Cool Checklist

Why We Made This No-Cool Checklist

When your air conditioner stops cooling, it’s easy to assume something major has failed — but often, it’s something simple you can check yourself. This quick checklist helps you rule out common issues before scheduling a service call.

If one of these steps fixes it, great. If not, the team at Schmidt Heating & Cooling is ready to help when you need us.

Serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky — Cincinnati, West Chester, Mason, Loveland, Florence, Covington, Fort Thomas, Milford, and nearby towns.

Step 1: Know What Actually Cools Your Home

Most Cincinnati homes use two components that work together:

• Air Conditioner (A/C): The outdoor unit that removes heat from your home.
• Furnace Blower: The indoor fan that moves cooled air through your ducts.

Even in summer, your furnace blower must run — if it doesn’t, your air conditioner can’t cool.

Step 2: The No-Cool Checklist

1. Do You Have Central Air?

It sounds basic, but some homes only have a furnace and fan. If there’s no outdoor unit, there’s no central air.

Not sure? Contact us — we’ll confirm what system you have.

2. Is the Winter Cover Still On?

Your outdoor unit needs airflow. If a winter cover is still on, remove it before running the system.

3. Check the Power Switch Near the Furnace

There’s usually a light-switch-style control near the furnace that powers the A/C. If it’s off, flip it on and leave it on.

4. Check Your Breakers

At your electrical panel, find breakers labeled “A/C” or “Furnace.”

If one is tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, call for service — don’t force it.

5. Confirm Thermostat Settings

• Mode: COOL
• Temperature: Set at least 3 degrees lower than the current room temperature.
• Fan: AUTO (runs only when cooling).

6. Inspect the Outdoor Unit

• Clear away weeds or debris; leave 12 inches of space.
• Listen for a soft hum and airflow.

If you hear grinding, buzzing, or metal-on-metal noise, shut it off and call us immediately.

7. Check Airflow Indoors

• Are all supply vents open?
• Is the filter clean? Replace it monthly during the heavy cooling season.

8. Look for Ice on the Refrigerant Lines

If you see frost or ice near the furnace or outdoor unit, turn the system off and call for service. Frozen lines usually mean airflow or refrigerant issues.

Step 3: What’s Normal Cooling Performance

Air conditioners are designed to cool your home roughly 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature.

If it’s 95 °F outside, 75–78 °F indoors is normal. Setting the thermostat lower won’t cool faster — it can actually freeze the system.

Step 4: Prevent “No-Cool” Problems

Regular care keeps your system reliable:

• Change filters often.
• Keep the outdoor unit clear.
• Schedule annual maintenance.

Join our Maintenance Plans to protect your comfort year-round and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

Still Not Cooling?

If you’ve gone through the checklist and the system still isn’t cooling, it’s time for professional help.

Call Schmidt Heating & Cooling — we’ll diagnose the issue, fix it right, and get your home comfortable again.

📞 513-531-6900

Have a Heat Pump?

These same steps apply. Heat pumps cool in summer just like a standard A/C and switch to heating mode in winter.