Cooling Guides – Temperature Master

If you’ve ever had to explain to anyone your choice for a Friedrich air conditioner, you certainly had to mention its high-quality external and internal parts, its energy efficiency features like the programmable thermostat, its lower operation noise level, and its lower cost of maintenance and operation. However, as happens with all AC models, you might also have had to deal with some operational and maintenance issues. This article addresses operational and maintenance issues in a Friedrich air conditioner. Here, you’ll find answers for troubleshooting simple Friedrich AC problems and guidelines on AC issues that require the trained expertise of an HVAC pro. If you are only interested in a single Friedrich AC issue, you can jump straight to the issue using this summary list: Friedrich Air Conditioner Not Cooling/Not Cold If your Friedrich air conditioner is not cooling, the air filter is dirty or clogged, airflow is restricted by objects at the front of the unit, there are open cool air outlets or the cooling coils are frozen. A dirty filter is your primary suspect and can be fixed by cleaning the filter. Dirty/Clogged Air Filter Air conditioners rely on airflow to supply cooled air to your room. If the airflow is compromised, the air conditioner has no air to cool or send to your home. The main reason an AC’s airflow is compromised is a dirty and clogged air filter. This also minimizes your AC’s overall efficiency and can cause other AC issues liked frozen cooling coils. How to Identify Friedrich AC Dirty/Clogged Air Filter You’ll need to open the outer panel of your indoor unit to reveal the air filter and check if it’s covered with debris. How to Clean Dirty/Clogged Friedrich AC Air Filter The Friedrich air conditioner manufacturer advises that you clean your AC’s air filter at least once a month or more often depending on the AC’s usage and the level of dust in your environment. Follow these steps to clean your dirty or clogged Friedrich AC air filter: Turn off the AC.Pull the flanges on the right and left sides of your indoor unit to open the front panel.Lift the center part of the air filter to unfasten the hooks and pull the filter forward to take it out. Be careful not to touch the sharp metal parts as these can cause injury.Use a mixture of lukewarm water (not warmer than 113ºF) and a bit of detergent to wash the filter. (You can also use a vacuum cleaner if the filter is not too dirty).Gently shake the filter of excess water and leave it to dry completely.Replace the filter back into the unit ensuring it clicks back into place. Close the front panel and restart the AC. Note: If your Friedrich AC filter is worn out or damaged, replace it immediately. You can find the air filter replacement for your Friedrich AC model from the Find Your Friedrich Product page or let us help you by filling the form at the bottom of this article. Restricted Airflow Apart from a dirty or clogged filter, airflow into your Friedrich air conditioner may be restricted by objects in front of your cooling unit. How to Prevent Restricted Airflow to your Friedrich AC Ensure that furniture, blinds, curtains, or indoor plants are not on the way of the air flowing into your AC. Wrong Thermostat Setting The thermostat is the temperature control center of your cooling system. Your Friedrich AC thermostat has to be set on the Cool mode to blow cold air. Depending on your Friedrich AC model, you either have a selector thermostat with a set of buttons to set the Mode and increase/decrease the temperature or a knob that turns from Low Cool to High Cool. The typical Friedrich AC cooling temperature setting on the thermostat is 78°F for cooling, which you can decrease to your comfort. But, if your thermostat is set too high, the AC will not cool. How to Fix Wrong Thermostat Setting on your Friedrich AC Press the increase/decrease button on the thermostat if that’s your model’s option to set your desired temperature. For the models with a knob, turn the knob slowly from Low Cool towards High Cool till you have the temperature that suits your comfort. In both cases, the temperature has to be lower than the room temperature, or your Friedrich AC won’t be cooling. Open Cold Air Outlets Cold air from your Friedrich AC is meant to circulate in your room to keep you cool. But, if the air being cooled has an outlet to the outdoors, the room you intend to cool will not attain the required temperature. Cool air outlets may be open doors and windows, open furnace floor registers, and open air vents. How to Fix Cold Air Outlets When your Friedrich air conditioner is cooling, ensure that the doors, windows, and open furnace floor registers are closed. The air conditioner’s vent should also be set to a closed position. Frozen Cooling Coils A frozen Friedrich AC sounds odd during the hot season. But yes, your Friedrich AC can freeze up if: The airflow is compromised due to a dirty filter or a blocked airway.Dirty cooling coils.Disjointed or wrong-size ductwork.Low refrigerant levels. A faulty fan blower. How to Detect Ice on Friedrich AC Cooling Coils You can tell that your Friedrich AC has ice on the cooling coils if: There’s water leaking from the indoor unit.The outer casing of your indoor unit has sweat-like water droplets.You can see ice on the cooling coils when you open the front panel and remove the air filter. How to Fix a Friedrich AC Frozen Cooling Coils To remove ice from your Friedrich AC frozen cooling coil, leave your cooling unit switched off for some time to allow the ice to thaw. If that would mean having you freeze instead, set your AC’s thermostat at Med Fan or High Cool to speed up the thawing process. Friedrich Air Conditioner Not Turning On/Not Working A Friedrich AC that’s not turning on has power issues such as an unplugged cable or failed power supply. The circuit breaker may also be tripped or the fuse is blown. Always check first if the AC power cable is plugged in if the unit won’t turn on before assessing it for other power issues. No Voltage to AC A Friedrich air conditioner without voltage is not going to turn on. This could be caused by an unplugged AC cable or power outage. How to Fix Voltage Issues with Your Friedrich AC Always check if your Friedrich air conditioner is plugged in before proceeding to check the unit for other issues causing it not to work. Ensure there’s no power outage in your area. If these two are not the cause for an AC that’s not turning on, a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse is the next possible cause. A Tripped Circuit Breaker or Blown Fuse Circuit breakers or fuses are electrical control parts in a central main service panel that protect electrical appliances from current overload. If there’s an overload, a short circuit, or a ground fault at your Friedrich AC’s circuit breaker, the circuit breaker will trip or the fuse will blow. This means that the electrical flow will shut off to protect the circuit from damage. How to Tell if a Circuit Breaker has Tripped or a Fuse Blown A tripped circuit breaker will have the switch that regulates the voltage going to your AC pushed down (switched off). If the entire electrical system was threatened, the main switch of the circuit breaker will be switched off. Instead, a blown fuse will have a gap in the wire or a metallic/dark smear inside the glass of the fuse. How to Fix a Tripped Circuit Breaker or Blown Fuse If the switch that controls the power to your Friedrich AC at the circuit breaker is pushed down, gently push it up to switch it on. Never force a circuit breaker switch up if it feels hard to turn. Instead, call a trained electrician to find the root cause of the tripped circuit breaker and do the necessary repairs. As for a blown fuse, it needs to be replaced. Consult a reliable electrician for advice on what you should purchase or have them do the job for you. If your Friedrich AC was not working due to a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker, it should resume cooling with these troubleshooting/repair options. Friedrich Air Conditioner Not Draining If your Friedrich air conditioner is not draining, there are two issues you should check for: a blocked drain line or extremely low humidity levels. A clogged drain is most common and should be rectified by unclogging the drain to prevent reverse water flow and destructive leaks. Blocked Condensate Drain Line If the condensate produced by a cooling Friedrich AC is not running out from the drain pipe to the outdoors, the drain line is most likely clogged. This will eventually cause standing water in the drain line which can overflow back to the cooling unit or cause leaks. How to Diagnose a Blocked Condensate Drain Line If your Friedrich AC’s condensate drain line is leaking, you will notice one or more of these signs: A leak or standing water in the areas around the indoor cooling unit.A wet or moldy wall around the cooling unit.A musty smell in the air vents or near the unit.No water running out of the outdoor exit of the drain line.Standing water in the drain pan.Pieces of dirt coming out of the drain line when you put a wire of thin stick into the drain line. How to Fix a Blocked Condensate Drain Follow these steps to unblock a dirty condensate drain line: Switch off the AC.Empty any standing water in the drain pan using a rag to soak and squeeze it into a bucket. Use a shop vacuum to suck up any water and debris from the condensate drain. Use a piece of long thin wire or a plumber’s snake to remove any objects stuck in the way of the condensate.Once the drain line is clear, throw a bucket of warm water with a bit of vinegar and kitchen detergent to clear the drain of any debris around the pipe.Switch the AC back on and monitor it to see if the condensate is eventually draining. Low Humidity Levels Depending on your model, your Friedrich AC may send the condensate water from the base pan to the condenser coils as a cooling agent. This is a normal operation, especially on high humidity and rainy days and it reduces the amount of water sent down the drain line. But if your Friedrich AC is producing little or no condensate and, therefore, not draining, the humidity levels in the ambient may be extremely low. That means the moisture taken from the air being cooled is not enough to create moisture that’s sent out through the drain line. Note that low humidity levels in your home are uncomfortable for you and are a damage risk for furniture and other home fittings and should, thus, be controlled. How to Control Low Humidity Levels The ideal humidity levels should be between 30% and 50%. You can measure that using a hygrometer or reading the humidity level on your thermostat. If humidity levels are below 30%, you’ll be uncomfortable inside your home. The best way to control humidity levels during cooling or heating is to install a humidifier. Talk to an HVAC expert about the best options. Temporary solutions for increasing humidity levels in a home include: Letting in moisture from the shower/bathroom.Boiling/cooking with pans without lids.Keeping indoor houseplants. Friedrich Air Conditioner Not Turning Off If your Friedrich air conditioner is not turning off, it has dirty condenser coils, a faulty control board, or a short-circuited thermostat. Dirty condenser coils are the most common cause of an AC not turning off and can easily be rectified by cleaning the coils. Dirty Condenser Coils AC condenser coils dissipate the heat in the refrigerant as it passes through them. If the condenser coils are dirty, the heat is not dispersed and the refrigerant can freeze in the coils, which compromises the efficiency of your AC. An AC that is heating up due to dirty condenser coils will work harder to obtain the required temperature in your home, which is why it will stay on and not turn off in the usual 10-15 minute cycles. How to Check if your Friedrich AC Condenser Coils are Dirty To check if your Friedrich AC condenser coils are dirty, remove the outer casing of the outdoor unit to notice any debris and dust on the coils, then proceed to clean. How to Clean Dirty Friedrich AC Condenser Coils Condenser coils are a delicate part of your Friedrich AC since bent or damaged coil fins can compromise the airflow. As such, it’s always advisable to get a professional to do the cleaning. If you decide to DIY, follow these steps to clean your Friedrich AC condenser coils: Switch off your Friedrich AC, unplug, and wait for it to cool.Remove the outer casing of the outdoor unit to reach the coils.Using a soft brush vacuum attachment, remove any debris and loose dirt from the condenser fins. Avoid any hard brushes as those could damage the fins.Use a low-pressure hose to spray water on the coils while paying attention not to wet any of the electrical components.Leave the unit open to allow the coils to dry completely. With the coils completely dry, put the outer casing back in place and check whether your AC resumes normal cooling cycles. Faulty Control Board Voltage to all parts of your AC is controlled at the main control board. If the control board malfunctions so that power flows continuously to the compressor and the fan, then your AC is going to be running nonstop and not turn off. How to Diagnose a Faulty Friedrich AC Control Board The control board is often misdiagnosed. As such, the surest way to tell if your AC’s control board has malfunctioned is by checking all the other possible causes of continuous AC running before pointing the finger to the control board. If you hire a pro, the expert HVAC or electrician will use a multimeter to tell if there are issues with the control board. How to Fix a Faulty Friedrich AC Control Board Once a trained HVAC expert has determined that your AC’s control board is faulty, it will have to be replaced. We can give you a hand by sending a reliable Friedrich AC professional as soon as you fill the form at the bottom of this article. A Shorted Thermostat When the temperature in your home goes below the set level, the thermostat will direct the compressor and fan to start running. Once the set temperature is attained, the thermostat will signal the fan and compressor to turn off. If your thermostat shorts due to a surge in power and is unable to send signals to the compressor and fan, the AC will keep running non-stop. How to Diagnose a Shorted Thermostat A multimeter is used to tell electrical continuity in a thermostat. If your thermostat shows continuity continuously, then it may have shorted. How to Fix a Shorted Thermostat A trained electrician may repair faulty wires on a shorted thermostat. But the most likely scenario is that your AC’s shorted thermostat is replaced with a new one. Friedrich Air Conditioner Heat Not Working If your Friedrich air conditioner’s heat is not working, the thermostat is set on the wrong Mode or the AC is wrong-sized for the heat requirements of the space being heated. A wrong thermostat setting is a more common cause and is resolved when the right setting is made. Wrong AC Thermostat Settings There two types of Friedrich air conditioners that have the heating option: The Friedrich heat pump model air conditioners which are reverse cycle air conditioners. The Friedrich electric heat models which are air conditioners with a built-in space heater. Both models require you to choose the Heat mode among the available Modes in order to start heating (the available modes are different for the two types). If your Friedrich AC is set on a Mode different from the Heat mode, it will not heat and you will not be able to adjust the heat temperatures. How to Fix Wrong Friedrich AC Thermostat Settings Use your Friedrich AC remote control to move between the Modes until you can choose the Heat mode. Depending on your model, use the temperature selector or the rotary knob to raise the temperature to 80°F or more, depending on the amount of heat required. We advise that you do not raise the heat more than 2°F at a time. Your Friedrich AC should warm up and start sending warm air to the room through the registers. Wrong-sized Air Conditioner Your Friedrich AC must be able to produce the amount of heat needed to make your home warm. If that is not the case, it will feel like the heat is not working. If you intend to use your AC for both cooling and heating, you should ensure that your AC size (in BTUs) can produce the amount of energy required to heat your room space (calculated in square feet). How to Tell if Your Friedrich AC is Wrong-sized Check your Friedrich AC capacity in BTUs from the Installation and Operation Manual of your model and check the Energy Star Air Conditioner Buying Guide to determine if it is the right size for the space you want to heat in square feet (multiply width and length). If your Friedrich AC does not meet the required amount of BTUs for the space, that is the reason your unit’s heat seems not to be working. What to do if your Friedrich AC is Wrong-sized Ensure you go for the right size of AC required to appropriately heat/cool your space from the very beginning. As a remedy for a wrong size AC already purchased, replace it with the correct AC size for your cooling/heating space as this will save you money and extreme cold if your AC is not heating. If you do not want to go for a new AC, you can consider topping up the heat from your AC with a room or portable reverse cycle AC or a portable space heater. Friedrich Air Conditioner Remote Control Not Working If your Friedrich air conditioner remote control is not working, the batteries may be dead or the +ve and –ve poles misplaced, the sensor distance from the AC may be too long, or the remote control and thermostat sensors defective. Dead batteries are a more common cause, easily solved with new ones. Dead or Wrongly-placed Remote Control Batteries Your AC remote control uses 1.5v AAA batteries. Once these are discharged (dead) or the +ve and –ve poles are wrongly placed in the battery case, the remote will not be charged and will, thus, not work. How to Diagnose Dead or Wrongly-placed Remote Control Batteries Use a tester to check if your Friedrich AC remote control batteries are still charged. As a rule, a 1.3v for AAA-type batteries is considered dead. Check to see if the +ve and –ve poles of the batteries are placed on the corresponding charges in the battery case. How to Fix Dead or Wrongly-placed Remote Control Batteries Replace AAA remote control batteries with a 1.3v charge or less with fully charged batteries (1.5v). Open and correct any wrongly placed AAA batteries in your remote control by following these steps: Notice the arrow on the rear side of the remote control that indicates how you should open the remote and push the cover in the indicated direction to open the remote control battery compartment. Insert the 1.5v AAA batteries, making sure the –ve poles of both batteries go to the side that shows negative charge (usually has a metal spring) and the +ve poles to the side that is marked positive. Slide back the battery compartment cover so that it clicks back into its original position. Long Limit Remote Sensor Distance from AC An AC remote control has the capacity to operate within a certain limit remote sensor distance (around 20ft). If you are too far from the AC, commands on your Friedrich AC remote control will not be delivered to your AC. The limit remote control distance may also be affected by objects in front of your AC such as furniture. How to Fix Long Limit Remote Sensor Distance from AC Depending on the case: Move closer to your Friedrich AC when sending commands to your cooling unit using the remote control.Remove any obstructing furniture or other objects from the front of your AC to clear the path of the remote control sensor. Defective Remote Control If the batteries in your remote control are still charged or you’ve replaced them and the remote control still won’t work, the remote control could be defective. How to Diagnose a Defective Remote Control Check the following to tell if your Friedrich AC remote control is defective: Check if the sensor LED at the tip of the remote control lights when commands are pressed. If not, the sensor may be detached from the internal parts of the remote and, therefore, dead and unable to send commands to your AC.Operate the AC commands manually to see if they are effected. If that works, your remote control is faulty. How to Fix a Defective Remote Control If the wire connecting the LED sensor to the rest of the remote control internal parts is detached, it could be repaired and still function. AC remote controls are not a pricey part of your cooling system. As such, it’s always best to replace a faulty one. Defective Thermostat Sensor Your Friedrich AC remote control communicates with a sensor in the thermostat to effect commands. If instead of the remote control the thermostat sensor is defective, the remote control commands still won’t be delivered to your AC. How to Diagnose a Defective Thermostat Sensor Operate the AC commands manually to see if they work. If the remote control sensor LED lights but the AC commands are not effected when pressed manually, the thermostat sensor is most likely defective. Check the thermostat sensor located close to the cooling coils to notice if the wire is broken or out of position. How to Fix a Defective Thermostat Sensor If you check the thermostat sensor and the wire appears broken or bent out of position, place it back in its position or call an expert HVAC to repair/replace a broken sensor wire as the case may require. Friedrich Air Conditioner Leaking Water Inside A Friedrich Air conditioner will leak water inside if the humidity levels are too high in the living space, the condensate drain is overflowing, the drain pipe of the indoor unit is loose or detached, or there’s ice on the evaporator coils. High Humidity Levels in the Living Space Your AC removes heat and moisture from the air in your room and cools it to send it back. The heat and moisture removed from the air are used in the cooling process to enhance the AC’s efficiency and the excess moisture is drained out of your cooling unit. High humidity in the room (above 50%) will not only make you feel uncomfortable and reduce the efficiency of your AC but, it will also produce excess moisture, which can overflow the drain pan and cause leaks. How to Diagnose High Humidity Levels Depending on the model, your AC’s thermostat will show the moisture levels on the control panel. Any levels higher than 50% are considered high moisture range. High humidity levels in your home/room are also marked by: A moist feeling in the air.A musty and damp smell around the home/room.A foggy build-up of moisture on the windows. How to Fix High Humidity Levels Moisture levels in a room that’s being cooled will eventually go down after running the AC for some time. However, you can reduce humidity levels in your home by: Running your AC on the Dry Mode for 1-2 hours.Installing a dehumidifier.Ensuring your HVAC ductwork has no leaks.Using exhaust/ventilation fans in high moisture parts of the home like the kitchen and shower.Temporary relocating indoor plants to an outdoor place. Condensate Drain Overflow Excess moisture from the cooling process is sent to the drain pan and out through the condensate pipe into the main drain line. If any part of this drain system is blocked or, owing to excess humidity, there’s too much water getting into the drain pan, the condensate drain may overflow. How to Fix an Overflowing Condensate drain If your condensate drain is overflowing due to high moisture levels and the excess water produced during the cooling process, you might need to drain the condensate pan manually by absorbing the water with a sponge or rug and squeezing it into a bucket. Combine draining the condensate pan with the humidity-reducing measures discussed above. If the humidity levels in your home are within the average range but your drain pan is overflowing, the condensate drain may be clogged. If that is the case, follow the steps on how to fix a blocked condensate drain described earlier in the section on “Friedrich Air Conditioner Not Draining.” Loose, Detached, or Cracked Drain Pipe If the drain pipe attached to your AC drain pan is loose, detached, or cracked, it can send water to the wall and the areas around the AC. How to Diagnose and Fix a Loose/Detached Drain Pipe Simply access the drain pipe at the bottom of the indoor unit and assess it for loose connections or cracks. Reattach a loose or disjointed drain pipe and replace a cracked pipe to stop the leak. Frozen Cooling Coils If your Friedrich AC has frozen cooling coils, it’s going to produce more water from the melting ice. How to Detect Friedrich AC Frozen Cooling Coils If your suspect that the coils in your Friedrich AC indoor unit are frozen, open the unit to check it for ice buildup following these steps: Remove the front panel of your indoor unit.Remove the filter by lifting it from the center part and pulling it towards you. The cooling coils are right behind the filter.Check the coils for ice buildup. How to Fix Frozen Friedrich AC Cooling Coils To get rid of ice on your Friedrich AC cooling coils, switch of the cooling unit and leave it for a few hours to allow the ice to thaw. You can also set your AC’s thermostat at Med Fan or High Cool to speed up the thawing process. Friedrich Air Conditioner Fan Not Working If your Friedrich air conditioner fan is not working, the AC could be running on the defrost mode, the fan motor may be defective, the thermostat may be faulty, or the control board is faulty. A defective fan motor may happen more often and should be repaired/replaced by an HVAC expert. Friedrich AC Defrost Mode If you are using your Friedrich AC in the Heat Mode during low temperatures, frost may form on the outdoor unit. In that case, the unit will go into the auto defrosting mode and the fan in the indoor unit will stop running. How to Tell if your Friedrich AC is on Defrost Mode When in defrost mode, your Friedrich AC will show these indications: Read Defrost Mode on the panel.The indoor indicator will be flashing.The outdoor unit will emit vapor as the frost thaws. What to Do if the AC Fan is in Defrost Mode If your Friedrich AC indicates Defrost mode, simply allow it to defrost. This will take 8-10 minutes and the AC will resume the previous heating function. Defective Fan Motor A defective fan motor may have worn-out parts or voltage issues. This means that the fan will not spin to send the cooled air to your home. How to Diagnose a Defective Fan Motor Open the AC compartment that houses the fan and try turning it manually. If the fan is hard to spin, the fan motor bearings are worn out and need replacing. If instead, the fan spins easily, there could be voltage issues. How to Fix a Defective Friedrich AC Fan Motor If you test your Friedrich AC fan motor for continuity and there are no voltage issues, the fan motor is most likely defective. A defective Friedrich AC fan motor should be checked and serviced/replaced by a trained HVAC expert. Call the Friedrich customer support number 1-800-541-6645 for referrals to reliable service providers or fill the form at the bottom of this article and we’ll send you an HVAC expert as soon as we receive it. Faulty Thermostat Every time your Friedrich AC runs, it has received a signal from the thermostat that the temperature in the room is above the set level and it’s time to run the next cooling cycle. If your Friedrich AC thermostat is faulty and does not send the signal, the fan will not work. How to Diagnose a Faulty Thermostat Normally, a faulty thermostat will show error codes or a blank screen. If that’s the case, check to ensure that the thermostat is not set on Auto mode. If the thermostat is set on the Cool Mode, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. How to Fix a Faulty Friedrich AC Thermostat A faulty thermostat will have to be replaced. Hire the services of a reliable HVAC technician to first confirm that your AC thermostat has malfunctioned and consequently replace it. We can send you an expert Friedrich AC pro as soon as you fill the form at the bottom of this article. Malfunctioning Control Board The control board of your AC manages the supply of voltage to parts of the AC including the fan motor. If the control board should malfunction, the voltage will not be sent to the parts as it should, which could cause the fan not to run. How to Diagnose and Fix a Malfunctioning AC Control Board The control board is one of the AC parts that should not be diagnosed or serviced by someone who’s not an expert. Contact an HVAC pro if you suspect that your Friedrich AC control board has malfunctioned. The HVAC pro will test the control board for continuity with a voltmeter and repair any faulty parts or replace the entire control board if the case requires it. Bad Rotary Knob/Switch For Friedrich AC models that use a rotary knob/switch, you will need to turn the knob to select the speed of the fan. If the rotary knob is bad due to wear and tear or has lost continuity with reduced electrical conduction, your fan will not respond to the rotary knob. How to Diagnose and Fix a Bad Rotary Knob/Switch A multimeter will show if there’s continuity in the rotary switch. Since it might not be obvious for you which among the wires in your AC controls voltage to the rotary knob, you are better off calling an HVAC expert to test the rotary switch for continuity and replace it if needed. Friedrich Air Conditioner Compressor Not Turning On If your Friedrich air conditioner compressor is not turning on, the compressor or parts linked to it could be defective, the thermostat could be faulty, or the temperature control board could be bad. A defective compressor is a more common cause and must be resolved by a trained HVAC expert. Defective Compressor or AC Parts Linked to the Compressor The compressor is the heart of the cooling process. If your AC’s compressor does not turn on, the entire system will not achieve its cooling job. Your AC’s compressor will not run if it is defective or parts connected to it are faulty. A bad capacitor, selector switch, or compressor overload could all make your AC’s compressor not to turn on. How to Diagnose and Fix a Defective AC Compressor or Parts Linked to it As stated earlier, the compressor is the heart of the cooling system, which means that a bad compressor is a bad cooling system. Because of this, you should never perform trials to resolve issues with the compressor. Instead, call a reliable Friedrich AC expert to assess and repair/replace a defective compressor or any parts linked to the compressor. We can help and send you the Friedrich AC pro once you fill the form at the bottom of this article. The Friedrich HVAC pro will: Test your Friedrich AC compressor for continuity.Assess the capacitor, selector switch, and compressor overload for continuity or other issues.Repair/replace the compressor or any of the other linked parts as the case requires. Faulty Thermostat To kick off a cooling cycle, the compressor requires a signal from the thermostat. This happens when the room temperature is above the set temperature. If the thermostat is defective and does not signal the compressor to start running, the compressor will not turn on. How to Diagnose a Faulty Friedrich AC Thermostat Check to see if your thermostat has any error codes or a blank screen. Also, rule out the possibility that the thermostat is running on the Auto mode (the thermostat should be set on the Cool mode). If your thermostat has the right setting, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. A thermostat that’s not receiving the required voltage will not function. But if the thermostat has continuity and not working as it should, it has most likely malfunctioned and should be replaced. How to Fix a Faulty Friedrich AC Thermostat Contact a reliable HVAC expert to replace a thermostat that does not register continuity or one that has malfunctioned. You can take advantage of our reliable HVAC referrals by filling the form at the bottom of this article. Bad Control Board The control board regulates the electrical parts of your AC. If it malfunctions and the electrical signals are not sent to the compressor and other parts, the compressor will not turn on. How to Diagnose and Fix a Faulty Friedrich AC Control Board AC control board issues should always be attended to by a trained HVAC expert. Using a voltmeter, the AC expert will test the flow of current in the wires that regulate the compressor. A bad compressor will have to be replaced. Talk to the HVAC expert to determine if replacing a bad control board is cheaper than purchasing a new AC. Friedrich Air Conditioner Not Blowing Air If your Friedrich air conditioner is not blowing air, it has a dirty air filter or condenser coils, blocked return air ducts, a high thermostat set point, it’s undersized, or the AC has entered the defrosting mode in the heating season. A dirty filter is most common and should be cleaned regularly. Friedrich AC Defrosting Mode Your Friedrich AC will go into defrosting mode if the outdoor unit freezes during extremely low temperatures. This is not a malfunction but, when it happens, the AC will not be blowing air since the fan is turned off automatically. What to do When your AC is in Defrosting Mode and not Blowing Air Your Friedrich AC will go into defrosting mode for only 8-10 minutes. As such, you only need to wait for it to complete the defrost cycle and turn back to the heating process automatically. Your AC should then start blowing air. The Return Air Ducts are Blocked Return air ducts are the rectangular or square vent grates around your home. Their function is to return the air pumped out from the registers to your home back to the AC so that it can be cooled and recirculated again to the home. If the return ducts are blocked, the efficiency of your AC is reduced as little air is returned to the AC, which explains why your AC will not be blowing air. How to Fix Blocked Return Air Ducts Clean the blocked return air ducts to remove debris and dust buildup. The best preventative measure is to have the return air ducts cleaned periodically during the annual professional maintenance cleaning. High Thermostat SetPoint If your Friedrich air conditioner is set at a temperature above the room temperature, it will not be blowing cold air. And if it’s a reverse cycle model, it will be blowing hot air. How to Fix High Thermostat Settings on your Friedrich AC Adjust the thermostat temperature set point to a cooler degree by checking the room temperature and lowering the current thermostat reading a degree at a time. The AC should start blowing cold air after 3-5 minutes. Dirty Condenser Coils Condenser coils circulate the refrigerant that works to remove the heat from the air during the cooling process. If the condenser coils are dirty, the heat will not be dissipated, the air will stay warm longer than it should and the overall efficiency of your AC will be reduced, limiting the amount of cooled air blown into your home. How to Diagnose Dirty Friedrich AC Condenser Coils To check if your Friedrich AC condenser coils are dirty, remove the outer cover of the outdoor unit and notice any dust and debris buildup on and between the fins. How to Clean Dirty Friedrich AC Condenser Coils Follow these steps to clean dirty Friedrich AC condenser coils: Switch off your Friedrich AC.Once the AC is cooled, remove the outer casing of the outdoor unit to reveal the coils.Use a soft brush vacuum attachment to rid the coils of debris and loose dirt.Spray the coils with water using a low-pressure hose, ensuring you do not send any water to the electrical components.Allow the coils to dry completely before replacing the outer casing.Replace the outer casing and restart the AC to see if it blows air as it should. Note: We recommend that you hire the services of an HVAC technician to clean dirty Friedrich AC condenser coils. An expert will take care of the delicate fins and protect the electrical parts from any form of damage. If you need a hand with that, simply fill the form at the bottom of this article and we’ll connect you with one as a priority. Dirty Air Filter A dirty Friedrich AC air filter will inhibit airflow. Especially if it’s badly or completely clogged with dirt, the air filter will not let in any air and hardly any cool air will blow from your AC. How to Check if your Friedrich AC Air Filter is Dirty Open the outer casing of the indoor unit and you’ll immediately see the air filter. A dirty and clogged air filter will barely let you see through it and will instead be covered with debris. How to Clean Dirty/Clogged Friedrich AC Air Filter Follow these steps to clean your dirty or clogged Friedrich AC air filter: Turn off your Friedrich AC.Pull the overhangs on both sides of your indoor unit to open the front panel.Lift the filter from the center part so that the locking hood is unfastened and pull the filter towards you to take it out. Pay attention not to touch any of the metal parts as they are sharp and could cause cuts.Pass a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the larger dirt particles on the filter and then use lukewarm water with a bit of detergent to clean the filter. The warmth of the water should not exceed 113ºF.Shake off the excess water gently and leave it to dry completely.Put the filter back into the AC and ensure it clicks back into place. Close the front panel and resume running the AC. Undersized Air Conditioner If the size of your Friedrich AC in BTUs is too small for the energy load requirements of the space being cooled, the air from your AC is not going to be felt, which is why it will feel like the AC is not blowing air. How to Tell if your Friedrich AC is Undersized Follow these steps to make out if your Friedrich AC is undersized for the space requirements: Check how many BTUs your Friedrich AC is rated for. If not indicated on the unit, check the Installation and Operation Manual of your Friedrich AC model.Calculate the size of the space being cooled in square feet by multiplying its length and width.Check the Energy Star Air Conditioner Buying Guide to see if your AC size in BTUs corresponds to the recommended space size in square feet What to do if your Friedrich AC is Undersized for the Cooling Space If your Friedrich AC is too small for the size of the space being cooled, consider replacing your cooling unit with a bigger one. This will not only provide the required temperature but it will also save you money on energy bills. Friedrich Air Conditioner Blinking Light If your Friedrich air conditioner has blinking light, it is either running on the defrosting mode or operating on the timer and there’s a fault with the timer settings. The defrosting mode is a normal operation but timer settings require an expert if not resolved by resetting the AC. Friedrich AC Defrosting Mode A Friedrich AC will go into defrosting mode in the heating season when the outdoor unit freezes during extremely low temperatures. During the 8-10 minutes when the defrosting mode is activated, the indoor indicator will be blinking/flashing. This is a normal operation and not a malfunction. What to do if your AC is Blinking in Defrosting Mode Simply wait for the 8-10 minutes defrosting time to elapse and your AC will turn back to the previous heating process automatically. Blinking Timer Lamp If the timer indicator lamp is blinking/flashing with an orange color, there is a fault with the Friedrich AC timer settings. This usually happens when there is a power interruption and the timer is in operation. What to do if Your Friedrich AC Timer Lamp is Blinking Usually, the timer lamp blinking that’s caused by power interruption will be resolved by resetting the AC. Disconnect the AC power cable and reconnect it to reset the cooling unit, then use the remote control to resume operation. If resetting the AC does not resolve the issue or you notice additional problems like a burning odor or strange noises: Stop the AC operation immediately.Disconnect the power plug.Call an expert HVAC service. If your Fill the form at the end of this article, we can connect you with authorized Friedrich AC service personnel and have your AC issue resolved immediately. Friedrich Air Conditioner Buttons Not Working If your Friedrich air conditioner buttons are not working, the AC has wrong thermostat settings or a faulty control panel. Wrong thermostat settings are a more common cause which you can easily resolve by changing to the correct settings. Wrong Friedrich AC Thermostat Settings Your Friedrich AC has several thermostat Modes depending on the model. The standard modes are AUTO, COOL, DRY, FAN, and HEAT. Some of your AC buttons do not work in all the modes. For example, to be able to use the increase (+) and decrease (-) buttons to raise or reduce cooling temperature, your AC must be set on the COOL mode. If it is set on the AUTO or FAN mode, you will not be able to use these buttons. How to Fix Wrong Friedrich AC Thermostat Settings Ensure your Friedrich AC thermostat is set on the COOL mode before using the increase (+) or decrease (-) buttons to set your desired cooling temperature. A Faulty Friedrich AC Control Panel If your Friedrich AC control panel is faulty due to voltage or other internal issues, the buttons on the remote control will not be activated. How to Fix a Faulty Friedrich AC Control Panel Try resetting your Friedrich AC buttons by switching off the power and unplugging the AC power cable. Alternatively, you can turn off the switch at the circuit breaker switch that supplies power to your AC then leave it off for a minute before turning it on and testing whether the AC buttons resume function. If your Friedrich AC buttons do not work after resetting the AC, contact a Friedrich AC expert for professional help. We’ll speed up the process of contacting a Friedrich AC expert for you once you fill the form at the bottom of this article. Friedrich Air Conditioner Icing Up If your Friedrich air conditioner is icing up, there’s poor airflow because of a dirty air filter, low refrigerant levels, dirty cooling coils, or a bad fan blower. You can remove the ice on your air conditioner by setting the Mode control at Med Fan or High Cool depending on your AC model. Dirty Air Filter Poor airflow is the most common cause of an air conditioner icing up, and a dirty air filter the most common cause of poor airflow. How to Identify Friedrich AC Dirty Air Filter Open the outer panel of your indoor unit to reveal the air filter and check if it’s covered with debris. How to Clean Dirty Friedrich AC Air Filter Follow these steps to clean your dirty Friedrich AC air filter: Turn off the AC.Pull the flanges on the right and left sides of your indoor unit to open the front panel.Lift the center part of the air filter to unfasten the hooks and pull the filter forward to take it out. Be careful not to touch the sharp metal parts as these can cause injury.Use a mixture of lukewarm water (113ºF) and a bit of detergent to wash the filter.Gently shake the filter of excess water and leave it to dry completely.Replace the filter back into the unit ensuring it clicks back into place. Close the front panel and restart the AC. Low Refrigerant Levels If your Friedrich AC has a refrigerant leak, the cooling system will have a low refrigerant charge. This will cause the unit to work extra in order to meet the required temperature levels. Continuous cooling can cause ice to build up on the cooling coils. How to Diagnose Low Refrigerant Levels in your Friedrich AC A Friedrich AC with low refrigerant levels is not a common scenario. But, when it happens, you may notice these signs: The cooling coils will be frozen.Your AC will stop blowing cold air.You may hear a rattling sound from the compressor.The cooling cycles will be longer than the standard 10-15 minutes.Your power bills will go up. The surest way to diagnose an AC with a low refrigerant charge is to call a trained HVAC expert to do the job. How to Fix Low Refrigerant Levels in your Friedrich AC Let the expert HVAC technician diagnose a Friedrich AC that’s low on refrigerant and proceed to evacuate the refrigerant and recharge the AC with the right refrigerant levels. This is a costly service, which is why we advise you to talk to an HVAC expert and weigh all the options. Fill the form at the bottom of this article and we’ll connect you with a reliable Friedrich AC expert. Dirty Cooling Coils Cooling coils remove heat from the air in your AC. If the cooling coils are dirty, the dirt acts as insulation and traps the cold inside the coils with the risk that the cooling coils will freeze up because the heat is not being dissipated as it should. How to Diagnose Dirty Cooling Coils The cooling coils in your AC are located behind the filter. To access them and check if they are covered with dirt: Turn of your Friedrich AC, unplug, and wait for it to cool.Remove the front panel of your indoor unit by pulling the flanges on both sides of the unit.Lift the center part of the air filter to unfasten the hooks and pull the filter forward to take it out. This will reveal the cooling coils and you can assess if they are covered with dirt then proceed to clean them if they are. How to Clean Dirty AC Cooling Coils To clean your Friedrich AC cooling coils, follow these steps: Turn off your Friedrich AC, unplug, and wait for it to cool.Remove the front panel of your indoor unit by pulling the flanges on both sides of the unit.Lift the center part of the air filter to unfasten the hooks and pull the filter forward to take it out. This will reveal the cooling coils.Spray a no-rinse evaporator coil cleaner to the coils and wait for the foam to fade. You can use a soft nylon brush to remove any stubborn dirt.Use a soft cloth to wipe away any visible dirt remains if needed.Replace the filter and front panel and switch the AC back on. Bad Fan Blower An AC fan blower distributes the cold air in your home and sends warm air from your home for cooling in the AC. Cooled air is dense and has poor motion. If it is not blown into your home by the fan, condensation will build on the coils, and with no warm air coming in to evaporate it, the cooling coils or the refrigerant line of your cooling unit will freeze up. How to Diagnose a Bad Friedrich AC Fan Blower A bad fan blower will either move easily if it has voltage issues or be hard to move with your hand if the motor bearings are worn out. Try rotating the fan to determine the case with your fan blower. How to Fix a Bad Friedrich AC Fan Motor Call the Friedrich customer support number 1-800-541-6645 to enquire about issues with your AC fan blower. You may also call an expert HVAC technician near you to assess and fix/replace your bad fan blower. Filling the form at the bottom of this article will hasten the process for you as we will connect you with a reliable HVAC expert immediately. Friedrich Air Conditioner Error Codes If your Friedrich air conditioner displays an error code, the AC status is abnormal and could indicate malfunctions related to high AC pressure, open or short-circuited outdoor temperature pressure, high discharge compressor temperature, heat pump failure, or indoor out-piping sensor error. Below are some common Friedrich AC error codes and what you should do about them. Friedrich Air Conditioner Error Code CH34 Friedrich AC Error Code CH34 is a “high pressure error” malfunction. The compressor may go off over 10 times in 1 hour when the pressure is high. How to Fix Friedrich AC Error Code CH34 Call a Friedrich HVAC expert to check: If the cooling system pressure is over-high.If the working voltage is over-low. Friedrich Air Conditioner Error Code F3 Friedrich AC Error Code F3 is an “open/short-circuited outdoor ambient temperature sensor” malfunction. The indicator display will be off for 3 seconds and blink 3 times when this error is displayed. How to Fix Friedrich AC Error Code F3 Call a Friedrich HVAC expert to check: If the outdoor temperature sensor is well connected.If the outdoor temperature sensor is damaged. Friedrich Air Conditioner Error Code E4 Friedrich AC Error Code E4 is a “high discharge temperature protection of compressor” malfunction. The indicator display will be off for 3 seconds and blink 4 times when this error is displayed. How to Fix Friedrich AC Error Code E4 Call a Friedrich HVAC expert to check: If the electron expansion valve is connected correctly.If the electron expansion valve is damaged.If there’s a refrigerant leak.If the overload protector is damaged. Friedrich Air Conditioner Error Code E9 Friedrich AC Error Code E9 is a “heat pump failure” malfunction occurring only in heat pump Friedrich AC models. The indicator display will flash once every minute when this error code is active. How to Fix Friedrich AC Error Code E9 Call a Friedrich HVAC expert to test the heat pump for any faults. Friedrich Air Conditioner Error Code 06 Friedrich AC Error Code 06 is an “indoor out-piping sensor error” malfunction. It will activate when the coil temperature registers 175 ºF for 2 minutes consecutively in Friedrich heat pump AC models. It can also be caused by any of these problems: Dirty coils.Faulty fan motor.Poor airflow.Non-condensable matter in the cooling system. How to Fix Friedrich AC Error Code 06 Call an expert HVAC to attend to any of the 06 error code causes. Remember that we can quickly connect you to a reliable HVAC expert once you fill the form at the bottom of this article. Important Note: Friedrich AC error codes are service codes explained in the model Service Manual and reserved for the expert training of an HVAC pro. As such, always call an HVAC pro to attend to AC error codes or enquire with Friedrich AC support before attempting any kind of troubleshooting.