When the summer heats up, having a functional air conditioner is a high priority. If it’s not cooling your home properly, you’ll be left hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable, not to mention the toll it takes on your energy bills.

If your air conditioner is running, but not cooling, it’s important to get the problem addressed. These things always happen in summer, much like a furnace breaking on sub zero days. The sooner you get it fixed, the sooner you can be comfortable. Here are some possible reasons your HVAC is not cooling.

Is Your Air Filter Dirty?

Air conditioners have air filters near the indoor air handler unit to capture dirt and debris that would otherwise end up in your home. This is important not only for the components inside your air conditioning system, but for preserving your indoor air quality and helping your system run efficiently.

If your air filter is dirty, the airflow is blocked and your home can’t be cooled properly. If the filter is dirty enough, the system may shut itself down to prevent damage to the internal components. You can check this yourself by shutting down the system, locating the air filter, removing it, and cleaning it. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, contact an HVAC professional.

Do You Have Incorrect Thermostat Settings?

Sometimes, an issue with your air conditioner is a simple fix. If you have other people in your home who may adjust the thermostat, it’s possible that your air conditioner problems are just the result of the wrong temperature or mode on your thermostat. Check that the thermostat is on a low temperature and set to cool, rather than fan or heat.

Once the system comes back up, give it a few minutes and see if the air is coming out cool. If that worked, you know what the problem was. If not, keep investigating the other possible causes on this list.

Are the Condenser Coils Clogged?

Central air conditioning units have an outdoor condenser unit with a big coil that wraps around it. The coil has metal fins that are close together, leaving small spaces for dirt and debris to accumulate. When the system is working correctly, the condenser fan draws air through the condenser coil into the outdoor unit, taking the heat from your home with it.

If your air conditioner is running without problems but not cooling, it could be caused by a clogged condenser coil. Because it’s outside, a number of things can get stuck in your coil, including grass clippings, leaves, dirt, dust, and more. This not only reduces the cool air you can get into your home, but it can damage your air conditioner over time. Check the coil visually to see if you can spot a blockage, then gently run a vacuum on the coil to clear it out. If it’s too severe, contact an HVAC professional.

Is Your Refrigerant Leaking?

Refrigerant is a necessary component of an air conditioning unit. These systems require a precise amount of refrigerant to run properly. The refrigerant flows through the indoor and outdoor coils, switching from liquid to gas to pull heat from your home and draw it outside.

If your refrigerant is leaking, the system doesn’t have enough to run properly. If the leak is severe, your air conditioner will run for longer periods without cooling or it may only blow warm air into your home. It can also cause a full breakdown of your system to prevent further damage. If you discover a leak, don’t simply replace it with more refrigerant. Contact an HVAC professional to fix the problem.

Is Your Air Conditioner Too Small?

When you shop for air conditioners, you may notice that they’re measured in BTUs, such as 8,000 BTUs, 10,000 BTUs, or 12,000 BTUs. This stands for British Thermal Units, a standard unit of measurement for air conditioning and the best way to determine the right size for your home. A unit that’s too big won’t just make things cooler – it will struggle to cool properly and cycle on and off, burning through energy without cooling and removing the humidity.

Conversely, a unit that’s too small won’t be able to cool your home either. It will work twice as hard and not provide the cooling you want, driving up energy costs for nothing. If your air conditioner is too small for your home, consider replacing it with a larger unit that’s better equipped to handle the space. It’s more of an upfront cost, but you’ll save on energy bills and get the results you want.

Choosing the right air conditioner can be tricky, so feel free to contact an HVAC professional to see what’s the best fit for your home.

If you’re struggling with your air conditioner and need repairs or maintenance, contact our technicians at ProSkill and schedule an appointment!