Feeling the heat because your air conditioner has decided to blow anything but cold air? Don't worry, you're in the right place. An underperforming AC isn't just a comfort issue, it can rack up unnecessary electricity costs too.
When it comes to AC units operating below par, the reasons can be as varied as they are frustrating. Whether it's a rebellious evaporator coil gone cold, or an elusive refrigerant leak playing hide and seek, we've got the most common culprits lined up for you.
So, grab a cool drink and let's dive into some tell-tale signs that your AC might be in need of a little professional TLC. Ready to turn down the heat? Let's go!
The thermostat is the device that sets your air conditioner to turn on and off. If it isn't set the right way, then your AC won't work. To check if this is the problem. check the temperature setting on your thermostat. Is it set to a temperature that's too high or low?
If it isn’t set how you want it, change it accordingly. You can usually do this by pressing buttons on top of the device. If you have the owner’s manual, get it out and try to reset the system.
Make sure there aren't any obstructions preventing cool air from entering your home. This could be curtains blocking vents or furniture in the way. Obstructions prevent cold air from getting into rooms where you want them most.
Changing dirty filters is an easy fix for many AC systems. The air conditioner's filter should be changed every three months, or whenever it becomes dirty and stops working. Air filters are inexpensive and can be purchased at any hardware store or home improvement center.
If the air filter is dirty, the AC unit is working overtime. You’re burning out your AC system and wasting money on electricity. This is causing your system to work harder than it needs to.
In addition to the air not cooling properly, you’re also breathing in the dirt, mold, pet dander, and bacteria that accumulate on the filter. For small children, pets, and elderly family members, this is especially dangerous. It’s also harmful to people with asthma or allergies.
When you have your AC unit inspected and cleaned by a professional, they will take care of changing the filter. You can also ask them to show you how to change it between visits.
The condenser is the part of your air conditioner that cools down the refrigerant. If it is dirty or clogged, it will not work. When the condenser fan is dirty, you will not get cold air coming out of your vents.
Cleaning a condenser isn’t something you should attempt to do yourself. If you aren’t a trained HVAC professional, you could run into problems that are costly down the road. To help make sure your condenser is cleaned, call in an expert.
There are a few mechanical problems that can cause your air conditioner not to blow cold air. One is when the compressor is running but the condenser is not getting cold enough. This problem is often caused by a bad fan motor or defrost timer, which will need to be replaced by an HVAC technician.
If the fan isn't working it needs to get checked by an HVAC professional before it causes further damage to your system. If you find that your fan won't turn on at all, then it might need some electrical work.
If you're able to hear a humming sound from inside the unit when nothing else works, then there could be another issue going on with either one of its wires or motors. Start by calling in an HVAC professional. They can diagnose the problem and call in additional electrical help if needed.
If your air conditioner isn't blowing cold air, it's important to check whether or not you have a leak. Refrigerant leaks can cause an AC unit to malfunction and stop cooling your home.
Check around your evaporator coil. This is the part of an AC system where hot condensate drains down into it from inside your house. You want to check to see if there are any wet patches on the floor or walls surrounding it.
If you see wet patches, this could be a sign that refrigerant has leaked out of one side of this coil due to damage or corrosion. Check around outside vents as well. If there are wet areas surrounding these vents as well as those inside them then you may have found evidence that there was once some kind of liquid leaking through them.
A trained HVAC professional will tell you if you have a leak or problem with your evaporator coil. This isn’t something you should try and fix yourself. Leave it to the experts to ensure your leak gets fixed before they cause further damage.
If you didn't do the annual maintenance, it’s not too late. Not only will they diagnose why your air conditioner isn't blowing cold air, but they can also take care of the cleaning and tune-up. If you don't do the annual maintenance on a regular basis, it can lead to problems in the future.
An HVAC professional will come out and clean out all the dust and debris from inside your system. They will also see why it isn’t cooling the house and what is causing the problem. This should happen once or twice a year to keep your unit in working order.
Your HVAC professional will also inspect all the parts that need replacing or repairing before doing so themselves. They can also tell you if the system is worth replacing or if it’s time for a new unit.
If your air conditioner is not blowing cold air, it may be because the unit is too small for your home. The size of your AC unit matters because it determines how well it can cool down all the rooms in your home. It also determines how much energy it uses.
When you use a professional to install or repair an AC system, speak with them about getting a more appropriate-sized unit for your space. If your AC unit is too small, it’s working overtime to try and cool your home. A larger unit or multiple units will keep your home cool, your energy bills down, and everything working as it should.
If the refrigerant in your air conditioner is leaking, it can cause the system to freeze up. If your AC unit has been leaking for some time, it may be difficult to detect where exactly the leak is coming from. It could be in the ductwork and it’s hard to see.
You may notice that when you're using your heater or furnace during winter months, there's an increase in energy usage compared with previous years. This could be an indication that there are leaks somewhere in the ductwork or insulation surrounding your HVAC system's components.
If there's a leak in one part of an AC system but not another, you may notice only one room isn’t getting cold. This could mean that there's either a problem with that particular component or another problem causing both issues at once. A common culprit is low refrigerant levels.
An HVAC pro will come in and look at the ductwork inside and out. They can find the leak so that you don’t have to go searching inside.
If your air conditioner is freezing up, there could be a few different reasons for it. A leak causes too much pressure to build up in the system, for example. This causes condensation to freeze on components like outdoor coils and evaporator coils. If you're experiencing a frozen evaporator coil, make sure to call an HVAC professional as soon as possible.
Your HVAC expert will inspect everything and find where it's frozen. They can replace parts and find the source of the problem.
If you're not getting cold air and have ruled out the thermostat, there are a few other things to check. Check the fuses and breakers. If they're blown or tripped, that can be a problem.
Have your HVAC technician check the wiring as well. This is especially important if your AC is older than 10 years old. You might need to replace some parts of the system or fix underlying electrical problems.
If you notice that your air conditioner isn't blowing cold air, it could be because of a buildup of dirt and debris on the outside of the unit. This can happen if you don't clean where dirt can build up.
Consider a fence or plants to block your AC unit on the outside to give it some protection. This can help keep debris from blowing in and causing problems. Your HVAC technician will recommend a new unit if it is too broken, rusted, or old to repair.
When your AC unit decides to turn up the heat instead of keeping things cool, it's time to call in the experts. At Parker & Sons, we bring a wealth of experience, a knack for problem-solving, and a commitment to customer satisfaction that's simply unmatched.
No matter what's causing your AC to underperform, our skilled team is ready to tackle the problem head-on, ensuring you get back to enjoying a cool and comfortable home in no time. So, why sweat the small stuff when Parker & Sons has got you covered?
Trust us with your HVAC needs, because when it comes to ensuring your home stays the perfect temperature, there's no team better equipped to help. Give us a call today - let us turn the dial down on your worries and restore the chill vibes in your home. At Parker & Sons, we keep the cool, you keep the comfort!
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