One of the most common complaints during the hot summer months is that air conditioners are not blowing cold air. There are many reasons why this can happen, but thankfully, most of them are easily fixable with a little troubleshooting. Take a look at some of the most common reasons your air conditioner might not be blowing cold air and the best solutions for fixing the issues.
Dirty Air Filter
One of the most common reasons for the air conditioner not blowing cold air problem is that the air filter is dirty. The air filter’s job is to keep the air inside your home clean, but when it gets too dirty, it can restrict airflow and prevent your AC from working properly. This is an easy issue to fix, as all you need is to clean the filter or replace it if it’s over six months old.
You can prevent this problem in the future by ensuring regular AC unit maintenance from a professional. These experts will ensure that the filter is replaced on time to keep you cool throughout the year.
Low Refrigerant
If your unit has been efficiently cooling your home, but the temperatures are rising each day, your refrigerant might be leaking. Low refrigerant levels reduce the unit’s ability to produce cold air. If you suspect this is the case, it would be in your best interest to call aircon experts as a refrigerant; especially Freon is dangerous for humans, animals, and the environment. AC experts can help inspect your unit to determine the cause of the leak. Here are reasons why you may experience this issue:
Regular Wear and Tear
Your AC system comes with rubber seals for protecting the service valves, especially around the joints. Over time, this seal can weather due to exposure to the elements. When they wear off, they expose your air conditioner’s assembly joints to rust and thus leak. Professionals can easily repair simple leaks on the joints, but more advanced may call for much attention since removing the rusted parts is the best solution.
Leaks in the Pin Holes
There is another type of leakage formed by formic known as pin-hole leak. Formic is a natural acid that eats away your copper tubing leading to leaks from different areas. This issue is very expensive to repair as it calls for coil replacement. You can avoid these issues by getting units with aluminum evaporator coils instead of copper since it resists corrosion caused by this chemical.\
Factory Defects
Sometimes your unit could come with factory defects. If this is the case, you can get a replacement unit from the manufacturer.
Exposure to Direct Sunlight
AC not blowing cold air in your home efficiently could be because, during installation, the outer part of the AC is left directly facing the sun. All air conditioners have an optimum operating temperature, also known as surrounding or ambient temperature that helps them work effectively. If the temperature exceeds the optimum level, the air conditioner stops working efficiently. If not checked by a professional, the compressor could stop working correctly, resulting in higher repair costs for you.
When installing an air conditioner in hot regions, it’s important to know how much direct sunlight. Build a shade or change and find a position with little to no direct sun exposure.
Undersized Air Conditioners
Another common mistake people make is buying an AC based on their budget but not on the room’s requirements as required. Each air conditioner can cool a particular area and measure in square feet or meters. Generally, a small AC installed in a large room will always have difficulty trying to cool the room during hot seasons.
However, normal sizing rules do not completely work; thus, one must look through different parameters when sizing an air conditioner. This is because some zones are hotter than others, which means they need a bigger AC than those in cooler regions. The reverse is also true.
Consult professional AC installers to ensure you get a unit that can serve your house efficiently when buying a new air conditioner.
Faulty Fan System
Two fans make up your air conditioner; the evaporator and condenser. These fans are in charge of circulating air throughout the system. Air conditioner fans are incredibly important for cooling and releasing air in your ductless AC unit. When these fans are not working properly, you will experience reduced airflow inside your house. As a result, you will experience warmer temperatures and reduced oxygen levels, making you feel like you’re suffocating.
If this is the case, it will help open up windows and call AC experts immediately to restore your AC’s normal operations.
Faulty Thermostat
A thermostat is required for your AC system to distribute the desired air temperature throughout your home. This remarkable small device is in charge of your home’s heating and cooling systems. When your AC unit isn’t blowing cold air, one potential issue could be with the thermostat.
First, check if the thermostat is set to “auto” or “cool.” If it’s been accidentally switched to “heat,” that could be why the AC is not coming on. If the thermostat is set correctly and the AC unit still isn’t blowing cold air, the next step is to check the thermostat itself for any potential issues. If the thermostat runs on batteries, you’ll want to check those and replace them if necessary.
If nothing changes, call an AC expert to inspect the thermostat if you’ve tried these troubleshooting tips and your unit still won’t produce cool air. Depending on the issue, they may repair the thermostat or recommend a replacement.
Issues in the Vents and Registers
Like clogged air filters, a blocked or clogged register (or vent) can obstruct airflow. Supply vents distribute conditioned air throughout the home, while return air registers draw air into the system. Clogs or leaks will compromise your unit’s ability to chill your home or workplace.
Blockage
It can be frustrating when one room in your home or office is warmer than the rest. This is often caused by a blockage in the ventilation system, which prevents air from circulating properly. To fix this, first, check to see if the supply vent is fully open. If it is, then check the ducts for any blockages. If you notice furniture has been placed too close to the vents, move it away so that air can flow freely. You may also want to vacuum the vents to remove any dust or debris causing the problem. You can ensure that all rooms are comfortably temperature controlled by taking these simple steps.
Leaks
Second, your air conditioner’s ventilation system runs throughout the house, and if the ductwork becomes blocked or leaks, the cooling will suffer. A rip or hole in the ducting could mean cold air escaping before it reaches your room. Mice and rats may wreak havoc on ductwork and cause leaks, altering how your system cools.
The Condenser Unit Obstructed
A clogged or obstructed condenser coil could cause your central air conditioner to work but not lowering temperatures inside. Because the condenser coil is essential for dissipating heat from the refrigerant, it must be free of any impediments. If the coil becomes clogged, the air conditioner will run without properly cooling your home.
Dirt, grass, and other airborne particles accumulating between the coil’s fins are just a few examples of how a condenser coil might become blocked. A filthy coil can lead to decreased energy efficiency, a loss of cool air at the registers, or, in the worst-case situation, a complete system shutdown or compressor failure due to misuse. Cleaning the coils can be accomplished by removing debris, vacuuming it thoroughly with a brush attachment, or gently rinsing it with a hose. This task, however, should be left to the professionals, as they have the skills required to prevent damaging the coils.
Frozen Air Conditioner
A frozen air conditioner can be a major issue. It will not only stop working, but it may also cause harm to your home. You can do a few things if your air conditioner begins to freeze. To begin, ensure that your home’s temperature is not set too low. If that’s the case, the air conditioner would have to work harder to cool the air, potentially causing it to freeze. Second, double-check that the air filter is clean. A clogged filter can limit airflow, causing the air conditioner to work overtime.
Finally, inspect the coils to verify they are free of debris. Finally, inspect the coils to ensure that they are clear of dirt and debris. They will not be able to dissipate heat adequately if they are not, resulting in freezing. You can prevent your air conditioner from freezing by following these simple guidelines.
The Age of the Air Conditioner
Like humans, aging also affects appliances. As time goes by, the efficiency of your air conditioner goes down. The efficiency percentage of an AC reduces yearly depending on its make and maintenance schedule. Therefore, the older it is, the lower the efficiency. Even though there are companies that make air conditioners with a reduced de-rating age, there is not even one that has come up with a product that does not lower its efficiency with age. If your unit is over ten years old, have it replaced.
Key Takeaway
The primary function of air conditioners is to provide cooling, particularly during the summer months. These units can become inefficient due to various factors, including obstructions and aging. Fortunately, these problems are fixable, or the unit can be replaced to restore appropriate indoor temperatures. Furthermore, most of these problems may be avoided by having your air conditioner serviced by an authorized AC professional.
