Summers in Florida mean high temperatures and high humidity. The last thing you need is an AC that won’t cool. Sleepless nights and sweltering afternoons are not a thing to look forward to. It will throw all your plans to relax indoors out of the window. Have you ever stopped to think about why your air conditioner is not cooling? Let’s see some of the most probable causes of it.
Reasons Why AC Is Not Cooling
Some reasons why your AC isn’t cooling are within your gambit of pursuit, while others are best left to an HVAC technician to handle.
1. Incorrect Thermostat Settings – One of the most basic mistakes made by homeowners is that they fail to check the thermostat. Anyone can change the thermostat settings, either intentionally or accidentally. If the thermostat setting is not set to cooling, it is but natural that your AC will not cool. Only after the setting is modified to “Cool,” the air conditioner will once again start cooling your house as per your desire.
2. Dirty Air Filters – Another prevalent reason for AC not cooling is dirty air filters. The very basic requirement of any cooling system is uninhibited airflow. Dirty and clogged air filters go against this very core requirement. A system that cannot breathe in air in ample quantity will not give back treated air in the quantity that your house demands. Since the airflow is sluggish, it almost feels as if the AC is not cooling. In truth, the AC is cooling whatever limited air it is getting. Until and unless you replace the dirty air filters with clean ones, the airflow will continue to be impacted. Once you replace them, the normal flow of air will resume, and the cooling will happen as before.
3. Frozen Evaporator Coils – The evaporator coil is what is responsible for cooling the air. As the warm indoor air passes over these coils, heat and humidity are extracted from them. As a result, the air becomes cooler. When the evaporator coils are frozen, they fail to extract the heat and humidity from the air passing over them. Hence, the air goes back indoors with barely a dent in its temperature, and you feel as if the AC is not working. Some signs that indicate frozen coils are:
1. Formation of frost or ice on the copper refrigerant tubing.
2. In extreme cases, the ice formation extends to the refrigerant tubing outdoors.
3. High energy bills.
4. Excessive drainage of condensation.
5. Insufficient cooling.
It is not easy to gain access to the evaporator coil. Therefore it is best to call the HVAC technician to troubleshoot the problem.
4. Refrigerant Leak – Sometimes, the refrigerant tubing develops holes or cracks due to corrosion or an accident. From these gaps, the coolant or the refrigerant leaks. When the quantity of the refrigerant drops drastically, the evaporator coils can no longer cool the air passing over them. The only option is to seal the cracks and replenish the lost refrigerant to the requisite level. The problem here is that the refrigerant is a hazardous substance and needs due care while handling it. Therefore, if you suspect a refrigerant leak in your AC, call your trusted HVAC technician instead of taking matters into your own hands.
5. Leaky Ductwork – The problem does not always lie in the AC. The culprit behind AC, not cooling could also be leaky ductwork. If the cold-treated air coming from the AC mixes with warm air entering from the holes in the duct or escapes from it, there is no way your residence will cool down to the temperature you have set on the thermostat. Therefore, periodic inspection of the ductwork is necessary and if any leaks come to notice, take corrective action as advised by the HVAC technician immediately.
6. Undersized AC – If the size of your AC is too small to support the needs of your home, cooling is always going to suffer. In the beginning, it may seem that all is fine, but as the outdoor temperature increases, the AC will struggle to keep up. It is because of this reason that homeowners are advised to get their homes sized before purchasing a new AC.
7. Skipping Maintenance – Skipping maintenance is another big reason behind AC not cooling. As the components suffer wear and tear due to long hours of use and corrosion also plays its part, the cooling capacity declines steadily. Since maintenance tackles all these issues, it is best not to skip it. A well-maintained AC is more reliable, energy-efficient, and has a longer lifespan.
8. Obstruction Around The Outdoor Unit – The heat extracted by the evaporator coils from the indoor air is expelled outside by the condenser coils. If there is any obstruction around the outdoor unit in the form of clogged fins, bushes growing too near, or a pile of debris, it prevents heat expulsion. In turn, the efficiency of the AC declines and it feels almost as if the AC is not cooling. Cleaning the fins and the area immediately around the compressor unit will solve the issue.
9. Poor Insulation – If the quality of insulation used indoors is poor, there is no way that the cold air will remain cool for sufficient time. The warmth from outside is going to increase the temperature way faster. Adding to the misery are the gaps in doors and windows that allow the mixing of treated and untreated air. If you want your AC to cool the home appropriately, insulation must be proper and of good quality.
10. Excessive Ventilation – In the name of ventilation, if you plan to keep the windows or doors open, there is no way to keep the cold air contained. You can only do one thing at a time. If you wish to ventilate your home by letting the fresh air in, decide a time of the day and keep your AC off during that time. Once you switch on the AC, ensure that there are open doors and windows from which the treated air can escape.
Now that you know the probable reasons your AC won’t cool, it’s time to be more vigilant.
If you live in West Palm Beach, Florida, and wish to schedule a proper inspection of your HVAC unit, call the air experts at Aztil Air Conditioning. Our well-equipped team of professionals can also take charge of HVAC repairs, maintenance, and installation. We also offer solutions for improving indoor air quality. We take prompt action and provide top-notch services at an affordable cost. Our offices are open 24/7 and 365 days a year, so call us anytime at +1-888-729-8452 to book an appointment.
