On a hot summer day, right when you want to unwind and relax in the confines of your home, you feel hot, bothered, and sweaty. Suddenly you realize that your AC is running, but there’s no joy when it comes to cooling. Does it mean that your air conditioner is good for nothing now? Most definitely not. There are several reasons because of which your AC may not be cooling. Today, we shall concentrate our efforts on enlightening you of its probable causes, and the next time you encounter a similar problem, you will have nothing to worry about.
Things To Check When AC Is Not Cooling
Before calling the HVAC technician to figure out why your AC is not cooling, here are a few things for you to check:
1. Check The Temperature Settings On Thermostat – Many times, we change the settings on the thermostat without realizing it. It could happen due to accidental bumping against it or the day before it was cold, so you had increased the temperature but forgot to lower it when the day became warmer. There could be many reasons to manipulate the thermostat. Therefore, the first place to check is the thermostat. Don’t assume that the settings are correct and set to “Cool.” For all, you may know, somebody else in the house may have changed the setting to “Heat.” So, it is only wise to validate the setting and ensure it is as it should be. If not, correcting the setting will bring things back to normal, and your AC will start cooling once again.
2. Check The Fan Setting Is Set To “On” – Occasionally, people tend to set the fan settings to “Auto.” When on “Auto,” the fan runs only when the compressor runs. Hence, there will be times in between when the compressor is not working, in which you will feel as if the AC is not cooling because you cannot feel the flow of air. Changing the fan setting to “On” will take care of the problem as now the fan will run for the entire duration that the AC is on.
3. Ensure That The Vents Are Open – We tend to move around things and furniture to spruce up the living space. In doing so, unknowingly, one may land up obstructing or closing the vents. When that happens, the cool air cannot enter the room, and simultaneously the warm air cannot move out. It makes you feel as if your air conditioner has stopped cooling. Therefore, in whichever part of the house you feel the AC is not cooling, it would be a good idea to check whether all vents are open and clear of any obstructions.
4. Ascertain Air Filter Is Not Dirty – Air filters weed out the impurities present in the air and trap them. Due to the rigorous work, these filters need to be replaced at least once a month, else they become clogged. Yet, homeowners tend to forget this basic maintenance point. Once the air filters become fully clogged, the cooling efficiency of the AC is affected. It is unable to receive sufficient air and, in turn, fails to send out treated air in adequate quantity. As a result, one will feel as if the AC is not doing any cooling. Changing the air filters once a month will keep this problem in check.
5. There Should Be No Obstruction Around The Outdoor Unit – The evaporator coil extracts heat from the air indoors. The drawn-out heat is transferred to the outdoor unit, where the hot air condenses into cool air. Any obstructions around the condenser unit will prevent it from breathing properly. The same will happen when the unit becomes clogged due to dust and debris caked on its fins. If you feel your AC is not cooling, the next logical thing to do is step outside and ensure that no bushes are growing close to the outdoor unit. If there are, trim them. Also, if there are any piles of dead leaves and other debris, remove them. Finally, if the fins are dirty, use a brush to clean them. Hopefully, this will do the trick, and your AC will render proper cooling once again.
Other Reasons Why AC Is Not Cooling
There are a few more reasons that can lead to AC not cooling, but you will have to call your HVAC technician for these. The reasons are:
1. Low Refrigerant Level – The refrigerant line may develop holes or cracks from which the coolant leaks. When that happens, the cooling capacity of the AC is impaired as it is no longer able to cool down the air sufficiently. Hence, the air that enters the rooms barely feels cold.
2. Faulty Motor – The blower fan pushes the treated air through the ducts. When the fan’s motor is damaged, it can no longer push out air at the same speed. In the worst-case scenario, the fan will stop working altogether, making you feel like the AC is not cooling.
3. Damaged Compressor – The outdoor unit is continuously exposed to the elements of nature. If it is not protected with a casing or some other precautionary measure, it can get damaged during a storm, wind, rain, or hail. The damage to the outdoor unit will have an adverse impact on the cooling cycle of the AC.
Before We Close
If your AC is not working, don’t panic. In the majority of the cases, the problem is minor and can be handled by the homeowner. Instead of assuming the status quo, check the thermostat and fan settings, the vents, and the air filter. If anything looks off, correct its setting or position. If everything looks fine and still your AC is not cooling, call your HVAC technician for help.
Residents of West Palm Beach, Florida, can rely on the expert team of technicians at Aztil Air Conditioning for any HVAC assistance. We have a formidable team of trained, certified, and experienced professionals who will address your HVAC woes. We are open 24/7 and can be reached any time at +1-888-729-8452. In case of an emergency, you can call us at the same number. We are always here to make your home as comfortable as possible.
