An air conditioner that isn’t blowing cold air is a waste of space. You paid good money for your AC system; you shouldn’t have to go to a public pool in the middle of July just to cool off.
We’re here to help you get your air conditioner running properly again. Below are seven reasons why your AC might not be blowing cold air. Some of these are problems you can fix yourself. For everything else, call SWK!
The Thermostat Isn’t Set Right
We know this one seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people could save themselves the cost of a service call by checking the thermostat. First, make sure the thermostat is set to “Cool” (or the equivalent setting). Then, check to see if it’s set to the right temperature.
Here’s a bonus tip: Some thermostats have an “On” switch. Unfortunately, “On” doesn’t mean “Turn on my air conditioner”—it means: “Run the fan continuously”. Air will be moving through your ventilation system, but your air conditioner won’t be cooling it, so be sure to set your thermostat to “Cool”!
Your Air Filter Is Clogged
Here’s another problem you can solve yourself—a clogged filter! When air filters are clogged, the airflow is blocked. A great way to tell if a dirty air filter is the culprit for your lack of cold air is to feel whether or not any air is coming through your vents. When there’s some cool air, but not as much as you’d expect, it’s probably a clogged air filter.
When air filters get really dirty, they can stop your system from working altogether. Be sure to change your filter around every 3 months or so—more often if you have a lot of pets!
The Condenser Is Blocked
A central air conditioning system is made of two different units—an indoor unit and an outdoor condenser unit. This condenser unit draws air around coils full of heat from your home; it uses this cooler outdoor air to draw heat away, returning cool air to the system.
When the condenser unit becomes blocked, it can’t draw enough outdoor air to the coils, which can lead to your air conditioner circulating hot air through your home, instead of cool air
The good news: This is another problem you may be able to fix yourself! Start by disconnecting the power to your air conditioner, either by turning off the breaker to your outdoor unit or by disconnecting it manually. You can then remove the top of the unit (you’ll need different tools to do so depending on the make of your unit) and clean the inside. This can be done using your hands for large debris (don’t forget to use gloves), and a vacuum for smaller debris.
You can also gently wash the sides of the unit with a hose, and even clean the coils using specialized coil cleaner. Once everything is cleaned, simply put the top back on, and reconnect the unit.
Another bonus tip: Keep at least 1 foot / 30.5 cm clear on all sides of your outdoor AC unit. This means cutting grass low, clearing tree branches, bushes, and other plant life, and moving any objects that may be stored around your AC unit.
The Evaporator Coil Is Frozen
The evaporator coil is part of your indoor AC unit; it draws in heat and humidity from your home and then moves that heat to the outdoor unit. When evaporator coils are dirty, airflow is blocked, or other problems prevent them from functioning properly, they may freeze. Signs that you have a frozen evaporator coil include:
- Frost forming on parts of your indoor AC unit
- Excessive drainage from your indoor unit
- Warmer air flowing through your vents
Unfortunately, evaporator coils are not easy to access; unfreezing them is not a DIY job. The good news? The team at SWK Mechanical are here to help.
Your Unit Is Improperly Sized
HVAC systems are complex—bigger is not always better, and that’s true whether you’re talking about a furnace, a heat pump, or your central AC.
The HVAC professional who installed your unit should have taken the time to ensure that the unit was properly sized—not too big, and not too small. Too small of a unit, and your AC won’t have the cooling potential to blow enough cold air throughout your home.
Too big, and your central air conditioning unit will actually end up blowing cold air that’s too cold. This can lead to the area near your thermostat cooling before the rest of your home does; your central air conditioner will then turn off, the temperature will skyrocket, and your unit will turn on again. In these cases, the problem isn’t that the unit isn’t blowing cold air—it’s that the frequency with which it cycles will lead to an uncomfortable home.
There’s A Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is one of the most crucial parts of an air conditioner; it flows throughout the system in liquid and gaseous form, and it’s responsible for getting heat out of your home.
When there’s no cold air blowing, it could be because of a refrigerant leak—especially if warm air is still blowing throughout your home. Refrigerant leaks are a serious problem; they wreak havoc on your air conditioner and the environment. They’re a problem that only a certified HVAC technician can solve, so if you suspect a refrigerant leak, call us right away.
There Are Mechanical Problems
A number of different mechanical problems can stop your AC from blowing cold air. The most common mechanical problem is a faulty compressor, which can cause trouble throughout your entire system. Expansion valve problems, blower motor issues, and other mechanical problems can also cause your air conditioner to blow warmer air.
Need To Repair Your AC? Call SWK Mechanical!
You bought your air conditioner to have cool, comfortable indoor air all summer long. When your AC isn’t blowing cold air, and you think the problem isn’t something you can solve yourself using this guide, call us! We offer air conditioner repair in Winnipeg.
