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Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling?

Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling?

Air conditioners are a lifesaver in the hot summer months, especially in Los Angeles. When your air conditioner isn’t running at its best, you can tell immediately – all it takes is one sweaty hour trying to sleep or feeling like you’re in an oven on a hot July day.

When your air conditioner struggles to cool, it’s likely to happen in the middle of summer instead of on the coldest winter days. No matter how much you turn down the thermostat, you still feel like the air isn’t cooling down your home.

If you’re wondering why your air conditioner isn’t cooling the house, here are some possible causes.

Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner may have an air filter in or around the indoor air handler unit. This filter is intended to catch dust, dirt, dander, and other airborne particles before they can reach the HVAC unit and the inside of your home.

This filter not only keeps your home cleaner, but it protects the components inside the system so they can operate more efficiently. When your air filter is dirty, you could have blocked airflow and lower cooling for your home.

In an extreme case, a dirty air filter can cause your entire system to shut down for its own safety. If your thermostat is low and you still don’t have cool air, find your air filter, turn the system off, remove the filter, and inspect and clean it.

Incorrect Thermostat Setting

If your home feels a lot hotter than normal, it’s good to check the thermostat settings and make sure the system is set to “cool.” If the thermostat is set to cool, check the temperature to make sure it hasn’t been changed to a higher temperature. If the thermostat is off, set to constant fan, or set to heat, switch it back to cooling.

Once the system comes on, wait a few minutes and see if the cold air is blowing out. If the air is cool, you know the thermostat was the problem. If not, try the other troubleshooting steps on this list.

Condenser Coils Are Clogged

Most central air conditioning units have an outdoor condenser unit with a large outdoor coil, which is wrapped around the outside of the unit. This coil has thin metal “fins” that are spaced tightly together. When the system is operating properly, the condenser fan brings air into the outdoor unit through the condenser coil. This pulls the heat out of your home.

If your air conditioner is running but the house doesn’t feel cool, one issue could be a clogged or blocked condenser coil. Dirt, grass, and debris can accumulate in the coil, clogging it. A dirty coil not only limits the cool air you get in your home, but it can reduce the system’s efficiency or cause a complete shutdown. Try cleaning the coil by clearing out debris or carefully vacuuming it. If that doesn’t work, it’s best to bring in a professional for a cleaning.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is a chemical that’s necessary to the cooling process. This chemical flows through the indoor and outdoor coils, shifting from liquid to gaseous form to draw heat energy and humidity from your indoor air and transfer it outside.

If your refrigerant is leaking, it can’t perform its job effectively. Depending on how bad the leak is, this can cause your air conditioner to blow warm air or run for longer periods without cooling your home effectively. It could also lead to a damaged or failed compressor or a full breakdown of the system. If you suspect a refrigerant leak, be sure to call in a professional HVAC technician to check it out.

Air Conditioner Is the Wrong Size

Air conditioner sizes are measured in British Thermal Units, which is the amount of cooling they provide. It’s important that your unit is the right size for your home. If it’s too big, it will cycle on and off without removing the heat and humidity effectively. If it’s too small, it won’t be able to keep you cool. Determining the right size air conditioner can be tricky, however, since it considers the square footage, insulation, climate, and more. An HVAC professional can help you choose the best air conditioner size for your home.

Under normal conditions, you may not notice the effects of having an undersized air conditioner. If you experience excessive temperatures, that’s when you may notice your air conditioner struggling to keep up with the heat and humidity. If it’s undersized, you’re probably better off replacing the system with one that is appropriately sized for your home.

Having an air conditioner that doesn’t blow cold air in the height of summer is no fun for anyone. If you’re struggling with your air conditioner, contact the pros at Adeedo for AC repair!

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