Help! My AC Isn’t Cooling.
Is your air conditioning struggling to keep up? Do you feel room temperature or even hot air blowing out of your vents? There are a variety of causes for this very common problem. Some causes are easy enough to solve on your own and others, we highly recommend you leave to a Certified AC Professional.
Let’s start with the easy fixes that you may be able to solve on your own:
Problem #1 – Your System Has a Dirty Air Filter
This is one we see all the time! Your system has an air filter to help keep allergens, dust, pet dander, and other debris out of your home. Over time, your system’s filter collects debris and eventually can even become clogged, which compromises the efficiency and performance of your air conditioning.
Solution – To keep your AC system in tip top shape, change your air filter every month during heavy use months, and at least every 3 months during off-peak times. Doing so will also help reduce your energy bill. Win-win!
Problem #2 – Your Outdoor Unit is Compromised by Debris
Overtime, shrubs, vines, and other debris can grow or build up around your unit, limiting its air flow and making it work harder to cool your home.
Your AC cools your house by absorbing heat from your indoor air (using the indoor unit which is called an evaporator), and then transfers the absorbed heat to the outside unit (also known as a condenser). If your outdoor unit is dirty, or hindered by debris, your system cannot effectively push the trapped hot air out of your home and as a result, your AC will stop cooling.
Solution – Regularly check your outdoor unit for dirt and debris. Pull any weeds and vines away from the unit and be sure to trim up any nearby plants and shrubbery that could compromise your unit. Spray the unit with a garden hose on a low pressure setting and BE SURE NOT TO BLAST your unit with high pressure water because you could potentially bend the fins that create airflow to cool the condenser down.
Problem #3 – Your Thermostat is Set to “ON” instead of “AUTO”
Are you finding that your AC blows cool air sometimes and room temperature air other times? There’s a chance the fan setting could be set to “ON” which continuously runs the fan 24/7, even when the air isn’t being cooled by your AC system.
Solution: Set the thermostat to AUTO.
AC Issues an AC Professional Needs to Solve
Here are three common problems that a Professional Air Conditioning Contractor may need to repair:
Problem #1 – Your System is Low on Refrigerant
Your AC system could be low on refrigerant which means there is a leak somewhere in your system. Refrigerant, also known as freon or coolant, is an essential AC substance that cycles through an air conditioner, changing from a liquid to a gas as it absorbs and releases heat. When you don’t have enough, your AC can’t cool the air.
Signs to look for:
- Ice build up on the outdoor unit’s refrigerant line and/or the unit itself
- Your AC can’t keep up on hot days, but works fine on cooler days and nights
- The system is making a strange hissing or bubbling noise
If your home system is showing any of these signs, turn it off immediately and call a trusted AC professional. Running your system with low refrigerant can cause long-term damage to your compressor (one of the most important parts of your AC system) and even damage it beyond repair.
Problem #2 – Your Compressor Has Failed
At the heart of your AC system is the compressor. A compressor’s main role is to circulate the refrigerant necessary for heat exchange through the coils of the indoor and outdoor unit, and also to “charge” the refrigerant. If it’s damaged, then the AC system is unable to cool your home.
Unfortunately, if there’s an issue with the compressor, then it most likely will need to be replaced. Compressors are the most expensive component of an AC system, and generally if they go, you just might be better off replacing the entire outdoor unit. The expected lifespan for an AC unit is generally 10-15 years. If your system is older than 10 years, we do highly recommend a new outdoor unit.
The upfront costs for installation can feel daunting, but trust us, it is a worthwhile investment. Of course, if you would like to install a new system, but can’t pay for it all at once, financing is certainly an option. We offer our special Comfort Now, Pay later financing through Synchrony bank. You may even qualify for 0% deferred interest for up to 18 months!
Problem #3 – Your Condenser Fan Motor is Bad
When your AC system’s condenser fan motor stops working, then the outdoor unit’s fan is unable to effectively dissipate heat. This causes hot air build up and prevents your house and prevents your air conditioning from cooling your house.
A common sign that your condenser might be going bad is a situation in which your AC appears to work for awhile, but then stops working. When you initially turn on your unit unit, it will blow cool air, but a shortly after, the unit will just start blowing out room temperature air.
Luckily in comparison to the price of a compressor, most condenser fan motor is not quite so bad. They may run you a few hundred bucks, but that is still much less than purchasing an entirely new air conditioning unit.
Live in the Chesapeake Bay Area? We’re Here to Help.
If you tried to solve the problem yourself and had no luck, it’s time to bring in the pros. Chesapeake Comfort Systems is a reliable, professional HVAC contractor you can trust. Your comfort is our #1 priority. With a passion for service coupled with an extensive knowledge in the industry, we pride ourselves on offering the very best quality and value in heating and cooling service.
If your home is located in one of our many Service Areas, then Contact Us today for air conditioning repair.