Having an air conditioning system that does not cool or is blowing warm air can live you in a hot, sticky and uncomfortable position. Especially here in Florida. Here are five reasons why your air conditioning system may not be cooling and ways to remedy those issues.
AC systems are complex machines, so there are many places where failure can occur. This means an AC that’s not cooling is not always an expensive repair!
Here are the 5 most common reasons for your ac not cooling.
- Electrical Issues
- Unmaintained Condenser
- Defective Thermostat
- Frozen Air Handler
- Low Refrigerant
Electrical Issues
An electrical surge may sometimes cause a breaker to trip, this caused the breaker to stay midway between the “ON” and “OFF” positions.
Solution:
Check your electric breaker panel and look for double breakers (usually with numbers between 30 and 60). They are normally labeled AC, Compressor, Condenser, Air Handler or something similar. If the breaker is tripped, flip them OFF, then back ON again and see if this fixes your problem.
Unmaintained Condenser
The outdoor condensing unit is an often overlooked component of your home’s cooling systems. If there isn’t sufficient airflow. your condensing unit will lose efficiency and fail to cool your home.
Solution:
Regularly maintain the area around your condensing unit. It is outside. Grass weeds and shrubs are always growing around it. Keep the area around your condenser clear of grass, weeds and shrubs. Periodically wash it off with water to remove dirt and debris around the fins. be careful not to damage the fins while spraying it with water.
Defective Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the device that controls your air conditioning system. It senses the temperature inside your home and tells your ac when to turn on or turn off. If your thermostat’s display is blank, change the batteries and see if that solves your issue. If your thermostat is hardwired or does not use batteries, call Elsmar Air and have a licensed HVAC professional troubleshoot it for you.
Solution:
Regularly maintain the area around your condensing unit. It is outside. Grass weeds and shrubs are always growing around it. Keep the area around your condenser clear of grass, weeds and shrubs. Periodically wash it off with water to remove dirt and debris around the fins. be careful not to damage the fins while spraying it with water.
Frozen Air Handler
The air handler is the indoor component of your air conditioning system that houses the fan and is connected to the main feed to your home’s ductwork. If the airflow across the coils of the air handler is insufficient, this will cause ice to form on the coils. This will prevent your home from cooling and may even cause water damage to your floor when the ice defrosts.
Solution:
Turn off your air conditioning system and let the ice defrost, be mindful of water that drips onto your floor. Check and change your air filters, dirty air filters are the number one cause of poor air flow in a air conditioning system. If the filter is clean, look behind the filter and check the evaporator coil and see if it has grime on it. If the coil is dirty, you will need a licensed professional to clean it. HVAC professionals have special chemicals to clean and treat ac coils. Schedule a maintenance visit and we’ll be happy to come get your system up and sunning again.
Low Refrigerant
If your ac system is low on refrigerant, the cooling performance will suffer. Refrigerant is necessary for the air conditioning system to operate properly.
Solution:
Refrigerants are potentially dangerous, regulated chemicals and as such should not be handled by persons who aren’t trained and certified in their use. Contact an Elsmar Air conditioning. We have the proper equipment and training to measure the refrigerant levels inside your unit, test for leaks, optimize the refrigerant levels and also the means to properly dispose of any used refrigerant.
