Air Conditioning Repair Certification (ETI) Practice Exam

The first step in addressing an air conditioning unit that is not blowing cold air is to check the thermostat settings. The thermostat is the control center for the HVAC system, and its settings directly influence the operation of the AC unit. If the thermostat is set incorrectly, such as being set to 'off' or 'heat' instead of 'cool', the AC will not operate as expected. Verifying that the thermostat is set to the desired cooling temperature and functioning correctly is essential before proceeding with more complex troubleshooting measures.

This initial step can save time and effort that might otherwise be spent on diagnosing more complicated issues, such as electrical components or airflow problems, which could ultimately prove unnecessary if the issue lies solely with the thermostat settings. After confirming the settings, if the problem persists, the technician can then move on to inspect other components like the capacitor, condenser coils, and ductwork for potential faults.