Is your home not feeling as comfortable as it used to? If you have an HVAC system, chances are your air conditioning system isn’t cooling like it should be.
So is your air conditioner not cooling properly? In this blog post, we’ll cover all the reasons why your air conditioner might be malfunctioning and how you can easily fix the problem. That way, you can get your AC blowing cold air again and you can get back to enjoying a cool and comfortable home again in no time!
Reason # 1: Dirty Air Filters
Dirty air filters are one of the most common reasons why air conditioners fail to cool properly. An air filter’s main function is to remove dust, dirt, and other airborne particles from the air before it’s circulated throughout the home.
When the air filter becomes clogged with debris, it can restrict the airflow to the air conditioner. This reduction in airflow can cause the evaporator coil to freeze, which can lead to a decrease in your unit’s cooling capacity.
Additionally, a dirty air filter can cause your air conditioner to work harder and longer. This can increase energy consumption and lead to higher utility bills.
Remedy
Regularly replacing or cleaning the air filter can help prevent these issues and ensure that your air conditioner is operating at optimal efficiency.
Reason # 2: Low Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant levels can prevent your air conditioner from cooling the house by disrupting the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant is responsible for absorbing heat from inside your home and transferring it outside.
If the refrigerant levels are low, your air conditioner will not be able to absorb enough heat, which can lead to a decrease in cooling capacity. Additionally, low refrigerant levels can cause the evaporator coil to freeze, which can further disrupt the refrigeration cycle and cause your air conditioner to shut down.
A common cause of low refrigerant levels, leaks a can also lead to damage to other components in your air conditioner such as compressor, evaporator and condenser coils. This can lead to costly repairs if not addressed immediately.
Remedy
If the refrigerant levels are low, it’s essential to have your unit serviced by a professional from a great HVAC service provider to identify and repair the leak, as well as to replenish its refrigerant.
Reason # 3: Blocked or Leaking Ducts
Blocked or leaking ducts can prevent your air conditioner from doing its job by disrupting the airflow throughout your home. These ducts are responsible for distributing cool air from your air conditioner to different rooms in your home.
If the ducts are blocked by debris or leaks, the cool air will not be able to reach certain rooms or may escape outside your home before reaching its destination. This can lead to uneven cooling and hot spots throughout the home.
Furthermore, leaking ducts can cause your air conditioner to work harder and longer to cool the space. This will increase your energy consumption and lead to higher utility bills.
Remedy
Regularly inspecting and maintaining the ducts can help ensure that they are free of blockages and leaks. This allows you to make sure your air conditioning system is operating at optimal efficiency.
Reason # 4: Obstructed Air Flow
Similarly, obstructed air flow can prevent your air conditioner from performing its best. If the air flow is obstructed, your unit will not be able to circulate cool air effectively. This can lead to a decrease in cooling capacity.
Moreover, obstructed air flow can lead to a frozen evaporator coil to freeze, further disrupting the refrigeration cycle and causing your air conditioner to shut down. Common causes of obstructed air flow include dirty air filters, blocked ducts, closed or blocked registers, and debris in or around the outdoor unit.
Remedy
Regularly inspecting and maintaining the air flow can help ensure that it is unobstructed and that the air conditioner is operating at optimal efficiency. This can include cleaning the air filters, checking the registers and ducts, and removing any debris around the outdoor unit.
Reason # 5: Faulty Compressor
Another reason why you find your air conditioner not cooling the house is probably due to a faulty compressor. The compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant and circulating it throughout the unit.
If the compressor is malfunctioning, it can cause a decrease in the refrigerant pressure, which can lead to a decrease in cooling capacity. Plus, a faulty compressor can agai lead to a frozen evaporator coil, which can further disrupt the refrigeration cycle and cause the air conditioner to shut down.
Remedy
The compressor is one of the most important and costly component of the AC. If yours is faulty, then it’s probably due to issues like overloading, lack of lubrication, or malfunctioning starting components. In any case, if the compressor is not functioning properly, have your unit serviced by a professional so they can diagnose and repair the issue.
Reason # 6: Incorrect Thermostat Setting
The thermostat is responsible for controlling the temperature in the home by sending signals to the air conditioner to turn on or off. If its settings are off, you’ll leave your AC system not cooling as it should be.
For starters, incorrect thermostat settings will cause your unit to operate inefficiently or not at all. If the thermostat is set to a temperature that is too high or too low, your air conditioner will have to work harder and longer to maintain the desired temperature. This can increase energy consumption and lead to higher utility bills.
What’s more, if the thermostat is not calibrated correctly, it may not be able to accurately measure the temperature in your home, which can cause your AC system to turn on or off at the wrong times.
Remedy
Regularly checking and adjusting the thermostat setting can help ensure that the air conditioner is operating at optimal efficiency.
Reason # 7: Clogged Condensate Drain
The condensate drain is responsible for removing the moisture collected by the evaporator coil during the cooling process. If the drain is clogged, the moisture will not be able to flow out of the unit. This will eventually lead to water damage, mold growth, and poor indoor air quality.
A clogged drain can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze, further disrupting the refrigeration cycle and causing the air conditioner to shut down. Common causes of clogged condensate drains include debris, algae, and other organisms that can grow in the drain line.
Remedy
Regularly inspecting and cleaning the condensate drain can help ensure that it is clear and that the air conditioner is operating at optimal efficiency.
Reason # 8: Worn or Damaged Parts
Worn or damaged parts will eventually take its tool on your air conditioning unit by disrupting its main functions. This can include issues such as worn out compressor, leaky evaporator coil, corroded condenser coils, faulty electrical components and many more.
Over time, the various components of an air conditioner lose thread or become damaged due to normal wear and tear (not to mention exposure to the elements). This can cause a decrease in cooling capacity, an increase in energy consumption, and even cause the AC system to shut down.
Remedy
Regularly inspecting and maintaining your air conditioning systems can help ensure that any worn or damaged parts are identified and replaced before they cause serious issues. It is essential to have the unit serviced by an professional from the best AC repair companies to diagnose and repair the issue.
Reason # 9: Incorrectly Sized AC Unit
An AC system that is incorrectly sized for a room will not be able to effectively cool it down. If your central air conditioning system is too small for your house, it will not have the power to cool the entire space.
On the other hand, if it’s too big, it will cool the room quickly, but you won’t be able to maintain the desired temperature. Additionally, an oversized AC unit will cycle on and off frequently, which will reduce its efficiency and increase the wear and tear on the unit. Furthermore, it will not remove enough moisture from the air, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.
Remedy
To ensure proper cooling, it is important to choose a stand-alone or central air conditioner that is appropriately sized for the room it will be used in.
Reason # 10: Electrical Issues
Finally, an air conditioner that’s experiencing electrical issues will not be able to cool down a room properly. Electrical problems can manifest in various ways, such as power supply interruption, blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, or malfunctioning thermostat.
A lack of power supply can cause the compressor to stop working, which is the heart of the AC unit. Without it, the AC will not be able to cool the room.
Blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers can also prevent power from reaching the AC unit. Meanwhile, a malfunctioning thermostat can cause the AC to turn on and off frequently or not turn on at all, which can also impact the cooling of the room. To top it off, electrical issues can also damage other components of the air conditioner such as the compressor, fan motor, and condenser, which can lead to costly repairs.
Remedy
To ensure proper cooling, it is important to address any electrical issues with the air conditioner immediately by an HVAC professional.
Watch Out for These AC Cooling Issues
If you find your air conditioner not cooling as it should, it’s important to take action quickly. As you’ve learned above, there are several potential causes for this, from having an incorrectly sized unit to dirty air filters.
Thus, it’s important to first determine the root cause of your AC problem. So by inspecting your unit and check for any obvious issues, like the ones discussed earlier. That way, you can remedy these problems immediately and have your units blowing cold air again.
FAQ
Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling?
The most likely cause for an air conditioner running but not cooling is a lack of refrigerant or a clogged filter. However, it could also be due to one of the problems discussed above. Best have a professional HVAC technician inspect and diagnose the issue.
How do I fix my air conditioner that is not cooling?
