Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner May Not be Cooling

A malfunction in your air conditioner, especially in summers, will really leave you handicapped. During the summer, an air conditioner that is not cooling will be highly frustrating.

Certainly if you have a pet and/or children!

You will have to contact HVAC technicians to fix the problem. But before you do, you can run a few checks on your own to locate the issue and see if you can fix it yourself.

Here are some potential reasons for air conditioners not cooling.

a. A problem in the thermostat

This is the first thing that you must check if you notice that your air conditioner is not cooling the way it should.

Your thermostat needs to not just be On but also set to Cool. A quick way to test if it is working well is to set the temperature multiple degrees below the room temperature. When you feel the cold air coming out of the vents, you’ll know that is it cooling properly.

b. A trip in the breaker

Your air conditioner runs on electricity and if electric supply is hampered in any way, it obviously will not cool. Check the electric breakers that supply power to your air conditioner. Flip them on and off and see if your problem is solved.

c. A clogged air filter

If your air filter is clogged with dust, dirt and debris, no air will pass through it, hampering your air conditioner cooling capacity. Check you filter every month and change it once in 3 months to facilitate optimum cooling.

If you are prone to allergies or have pets in your house, this air filter might clog up quickly and must be changed in less than 3 months. Air filters are available in local hardware stores. But the replacement filter must be the exact same size as the old one.

d. A clogged outdoor unit

The condenser or outdoor unit of your air conditioner is exposed to the elements, dirt and debris. It is better to keep trees and plants away from the external unit so that no leaves, twigs and dirt particles can get in and clog it.

You must also clean the condenser regularly. In winters, when your air conditioner is not in use, make sure that you put a tight cover on it.

e. Refrigerant leak

The refrigerant in your air conditioner is being continuously circulated and this is what helps cool the air. Refrigerant level in the air conditioner is generally stable. If there is a leak, the refrigerant level drops and hence your air conditioner cannot cool the air as much as you would want it to.

Refrigerant leaks can be identified by the presence of hissing sounds, decrease in cooling efficiency or ice buildup. You will have to call HVAC technicians to seal the leak and top the refrigerant.

f. Improper installation

An incorrectly installed air conditioner will not cool well even if all its parts are in perfect working condition. So, make sure you choose a reliable and experienced installation company.