Why is Your Air Conditioner Not Cooling Your House?
Home » HVAC Blog Articles » Why is Your Air Conditioner Not Cooling Your House?
If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of an air conditioner that doesn’t seem to be cooling your house properly, you’re not alone. There are a variety of reasons why your air conditioner may not be working as efficiently as it should be, leaving you feeling hot and uncomfortable. That’s why our experts in air conditioner repairs are sharing the common reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your house, and what you can do to troubleshoot the issue. Whether you need a simple fix or require the assistance of an HVAC professional, we’ve got the solutions for you.
Understanding Your Air Conditioner
Air conditioners are an essential component of any home, as they are the main source of helping to keep indoor spaces comfortable during hot and humid weather. Understanding the basic components of your air conditioner can help you troubleshoot problems and make informed decisions about preventative maintenance as well as AC repairs.
Here are the key components of an air conditioner and their purpose for helping the cooling system function:
- Refrigerant: Refrigerant is a chemical compound that absorbs and releases heat as it circulates through the air conditioning system. It changes from a gas to a liquid as it absorbs heat from indoor air, and changes back to a gas as it releases heat to the outdoor air.
- Compressor: The compressor is a pump responsible for circulating the refrigerant compound through the AC system, then compressing it into a high-pressure gas.
- Condenser: The condenser is a component that helps release the heat absorbed by the refrigerant. It is located outside the building and consists of a coil and a fan.
- Evaporator: The evaporator is a component that helps absorb heat from indoor air. It is located inside the building and consists of a coil and a blower fan.
- Air filter: The air filter traps particles like dust and dirt and prevents them from re-circulating through the air conditioning system to the indoor living space.
- Thermostat: The thermostat controls indoor air temperatures through a signal that turns the system on or off.
- Ductwork: Ductwork is a system of tubes that distributes cool air throughout the building.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Running But Not Cooling The House?
If your air conditioner is running but not cooling your house, there could be several reasons why.
Here are some common culprits to why you may hear your blower fan of the AC unit operating, but don’t feel any cold air:
- The air filter is dirty.
- The refrigerant compound is low.
- A faulty compressor isn’t allowing air to circulate properly.
- The condenser coils are dirty.
- The thermostat is suffering issues that won’t let it communicate signals to the system.
- The home’s ductwork is leaking.
To diagnose the issue with your AC unit, it is recommended to check the air filter and ensure it is clean and not obstructed. If the air filter is not the issue, we recommend contacting a professional HVAC tech to diagnose and fix the problem.
Our HVAC systems repair services include a range of tests and inspections to determine the cause of the issue and recommend the necessary repairs. In some cases, the issue may require the replacement of components, while in others, simple cleaning and maintenance may be all that is needed to restore the cooling power of your air conditioning system.
Reasons Your Air Conditioner Might Not Be Blowing Cold Air
If your air conditioner is not blowing cold air, there could be several reasons why. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common causes of an AC system failing to blow cool air.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, reducing the amount of air that is able to pass through the filter and circulate throughout the system. This can cause the evaporator coil to freeze and prevent the system from effectively cooling the air. Not to mention, a dirty air filter can contribute to poor indoor air quality and health issues. To fix this issue, simply replace or clean the air filter.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
If the evaporator coil becomes frozen, it can prevent the central air conditioning system from effectively absorbing and releasing heat, resulting in reduced cooling power. This issue can be caused by a dirty air filter, low refrigerant levels, or restricted airflow. To fix this issue, you will need to identify and address the root cause of the freezing.
Low Refrigerant
Low refrigerant levels can prevent the air conditioning system from effectively absorbing and releasing heat, resulting in reduced cooling power. This issue is often caused by leaks in the refrigerant line. To fix this issue, a cooling system contractor will need to identify and repair the leaks and recharge the refrigerant.
Blocked Condenser Unit
A blocked condenser unit can prevent the air conditioning system from effectively releasing heat, resulting in reduced cooling power. This issue can be caused by debris, leaves, or other materials that block the airflow around the condenser unit. To fix this issue, simply clean the condenser unit or remove any obstructions.
Faulty Compressor
A faulty compressor can prevent the central air conditioning system from properly circulating refrigerant, resulting in reduced cooling power. This issue may require the replacement of the compressor or other components of the system.
Ductwork Issues
Leaking ductwork or improperly installed ductwork can result in the loss of cool air before it reaches your indoor spaces, resulting in reduced cooling power. This issue may require duct sealing or the replacement of damaged or improperly installed ductwork.
Bad Fan Motor
If the fan motor is not functioning correctly, it may not be able to circulate cool air throughout your indoor spaces, resulting in reduced cooling power or a system that has no cold air blowing from it. This issue may require the replacement of the fan motor or other components of the central air conditioner unit.
Thermostat Issues
If the thermostat is not functioning correctly, it may not be sending the proper signals to the air conditioning system to turn on or off, resulting in reduced cooling power. If the temperature does not match your thermostat, the resolution may be to replace the thermostat or other components of the system.
Electrical Issues
Electrical issues such as faulty wiring or a tripped circuit breaker can prevent the air conditioning system from turning on or functioning correctly, resulting in reduced cooling power. This issue may require the repair or replacement of electrical components of the system.
How Do You Fix an AC That Won’t Get Cold?
If you want to try your hand at a DIY intervention for fixing your AC unit prior to calling a professional, there are a few steps you can take to fix the issue:
- Check the thermostat: Make sure the thermostat is set to the desired temperature and is in cooling mode. Sometimes the issue can be as simple as a thermostat setting.
- Clean or replace the air filter: A dirty or clogged air filter can restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of your AC. Clean or replace the air filter and see if that solves the problem.
- Check the condenser coils: The condenser coils can become dirty or clogged over time, which can reduce the efficiency of your AC. Use a soft brush to clean the coils and see if that improves the cooling.
- Check the refrigerant levels: Low refrigerant levels can cause your AC to blow warm air. If you suspect that your refrigerant levels are low, contact a professional HVAC technician to check and refill the refrigerant.
- Check for leaks: A refrigerant leak can cause your AC to blow warm air. If you suspect that you have a refrigerant leak, contact a Raleigh HVAC company to fix the issue.
- Check the ductwork: Leaky or poorly insulated ductwork can cause your AC to blow warm air. Inspect the air ducts for leaks and make sure it’s properly insulated.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, it’s best to contact Bowman Mechanical Services to diagnose and fix the problem with your AC unit.
Is Your Air Conditioner Not Cooling Your House? Contact The Cool Air Professionals At Bowman Mechanical
Is your air conditioner struggling to keep your home cool and comfortable during these hot summer months? Don’t suffer through the heat any longer! At Bowman Mechanical, our team of expert technicians is dedicated to providing reliable and efficient air conditioning repair services to keep your home cool and comfortable all season long.
We understand how frustrating it can be to have an air conditioning system that’s not functioning properly, which is why we offer prompt and professional services to get your AC running smoothly again. Our team has years of experience in the HVAC industry, and we’re equipped with the latest tools and techniques to diagnose and fix any AC issue you’re facing. Whether you need a simple AC system tune-up or a complete AC system replacement, we’re here to help.
Contact our HVAC repairs team today by calling 919-772-2759 or filling out our contact form below.
We would love to hear from you! Please fill out this form and we will get back to you shortly.