Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling the House?

When the AC is on but can’t lower the temperature, your air conditioner is having problems. Not only that, but too hot temperatures make you and your family feel uncomfortable in your own home. It’s even more frustrating when you continue to turn down the temperature on the thermostat and nothing happens.

If your air conditioner is running but not cooling your house, look out for these reasons why:

Reasons Why Your AC is Running but Not Cooling the House

Thermostat Settings

The first thing to check when your AC isn’t cooling enough is the thermostat. Make sure it’s set to cool. If it’s not on cool, set it to cool and turn it to AUTO instead of ON.

If it’s still not working, turn your system off for five minutes and then turn it back on.

Dirty Air Filters

If changing your thermostat settings doesn’t work, the next thing you should check is your AC system’s air filters. If they are dirty or clogged they could be blocking the airflow.

Before you try to check the air filters, turn off your system. Once you pull out your air filters, you’ll know they are clogged if they are filled with dust. Change out your filters and run your system again to see if this helps.

These air filters should be changed out every 90 days but should be changed out sooner depending on your household. If you or a household member smokes or has pets, you should change your filters sooner.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

An evaporator coil is a part of your indoor AC unit that removes heat from the air and pushes out cool air. Look out for these signs of a frozen evaporator coil:

• Insufficient cooling after you’ve checked your thermostat and air filters
• Unexplained increase in energy bills
• The condensate drain pan is overflowing
• The evaporator coil has frost on it

If you see any of these signs, you should turn off your system and call a professional to handle this. A frozen evaporator coil is not an issue that a homeowner should address on their own.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is a chemical that flows through your AC system and helps extract the heat from your indoor air. If you have a refrigerant leak this can lead to your system being inefficient and even shutting down.

Your system may have a certain odor that can be sweet and this is typically a sign that you have a leak. If you suspect this is the cause of your AC not cooling, a professional will need to inspect your HVAC system to know if this is the issue you’re experiencing.

Leaking Air Ducts

A leaky air duct can also be the culprit of an AC system that’s not cooling enough. This issue happens if your home’s ductwork was improperly installed or if a rodent got to it.

If air is leaving out of the ducts, this makes it harder to push the cold air throughout the home and warm air can travel inside. If you believe this is the issue or want to know if your ductwork is leaking, call an HVAC technician to inspect and repair it.

Looking for an AC Repair Expert to Get the Cool Air Flowing Again?

Aux Home Services has served Jefferson and Shelby County since 1987. We offer upfront pricing, show up on time, and tidy up after ourselves. Our HVAC technicians are highly-trained and skilled in AC repair services. Contact us today to get your air conditioner running back to normal!