Is your air conditioner running fine but not producing cold air? When the summer heats up, it’s important to have a functional air conditioner to keep your home cool and comfortable.
Having an air conditioner that doesn’t blow cool air is not only uncomfortable, but it can lead to excessively high energy bills.
Air conditioners can have several issues that prevent them from cooling your home properly. This usually happens at the height of summer, rather than the dead of winter, and you want a solution quickly. Here are some possible causes that you can check yourself to see why your HVAC is not cooling.
Dirty Air Filter
Air filters are a common cause of problems with air conditioners, including poor cooling and leaking. Your air conditioner filter is located in or around your indoor handler unit, and it’s intended to capture dirt, dust, and debris and prevent it from going into your home.
A dirty air filter may be the cause of your air conditioner not cooling, but that’s not the only problem. Your air filter can’t work properly if it’s dirty, and you could end up with debris and contaminants in your home or in your system’s delicate components.
If your air conditioner isn’t cooling, check the air filter to make sure it’s clean and clear of debris. If necessary, call an HVAC technician to have it cleaned or replaced, or else it could get more severe and shut your system down completely.
Incorrect Thermostat Setting
When your air conditioner is running fine but not cooling, be sure to check your thermostat. It’s possible that the settings were changed by someone else in your household.
Something as simple as switching to the fan or heat instead of cool could affect your cold air. Make sure your thermostat is set to cool, on a low temperature, and not set on fan or heat.
Once it’s reset, turn the system back on and see if the air conditioner is blowing out cold air. If it feels better after adjusting the thermostat, then you know how to correct it in the future.
Condenser Coils Are Clogged
Central air conditioning systems consist of an indoor air handler and an outdoor condenser, both of which need regular maintenance. They both have coils that are designed to help the system cool your home by trapping and releasing heat back into the atmosphere.
The coils have small fins that are spaced close together, which can attract dirt and debris that can clog them. They can’t release heat effectively, leading to more warm air in your home.
You can check the outdoor coils easily and see if there’s debris inside. If so, gently clean them out with a vacuum and brush attachment. If necessary, move or trim any plants or other items that may be close to the coil and at risk of clogging it.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the fluid inside of the copper coils in your air conditioning system. This substance is responsible for absorbing heat from the air into the coil, and the system needs the ideal amount of refrigerant to work properly. If it leaks, your system won’t be able to cool the air effectively.
If your refrigerant is leaking, don’t just add more refrigerant. Call an HVAC professional to fix the leak to correct the problem and prevent any damage to your system.
When leaks are allowed to continue, it could lead to a complete shutdown of your system. Call an HVAC technician to repair the leak as soon as possible.
Air Conditioner Is Too Small
Most people are familiar with British Thermal Units, or BTUs, that are the common unit of measurement for air conditioners. These measurements help you choose the air conditioner that’s the best size for your home, taking into consideration factors like the insulation, square footage, space, and climate. And bigger isn’t always better – a unit that’s too large will only cycle on and off, failing to properly cool your home and remove the humidity.
Conversely, a system that’s too small will not be able to cool your home and will have to work harder, increasing your energy bills. You may not notice this when the weather is nice, but once it gets hot, the inefficiency will become more obvious. Consider if your air conditioner is the right size for your home and weather that’s the source of your problem.
If your air conditioner is too small for your home, it’s best to replace it, even if it’s newer. You’ll only spend more on energy bills running an undersized unit, which will dramatically outweigh the cost of putting in a new one that’s the right fit for your home. If you’re not sure, speak to an HVAC technician about the best sized air conditioner for your needs.
Looking for air conditioner repairs or maintenance? Contact JW Plumbing, Heating and Air to schedule your appointment today!
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