Having an air conditioning unit is critical in ensuring that your home remains cool at all times, especially when temperatures are extremely high. Any unexpected malfunction of this device can cause discomfort as well as high energy bills. Some of the cooling problems with your AC unit can be a result of regular wear and tear, while others might require a more serious look into them. Knowing the most common causes of air conditioner malfunction will enable you to identify the problem earlier before spending unnecessary money on it.
Several things can impact how efficiently your AC works. Below, we are going to discuss the most common reasons why your air conditioner is not cooling and what you can do about it.
Dirty Air Filters Restrict Airflow
One of the major causes of loss of cooling capacity is when the air filter becomes clogged or contaminated. The air filter acts as a mechanism for capturing dirt, dust, pollen, dander from pets, among other pollutants, to provide you with quality air. Contamination of the air filter means that the accumulation of such contaminants will make it hard for the unit to function effectively.
The inability to allow adequate airflow reduces the amount of air available and affects the temperature control. Furthermore, contamination of the filter means higher energy costs and strain on the blower motor. Replacement or cleaning of the filter after one to three months is an easy task to do.
Low Refrigerant Levels Reduce Cooling Efficiency
The task of removing the heat inside your house and expelling it outside is performed by the refrigerant. If your air conditioner has low amounts of refrigerant, it cannot cool effectively, meaning that warm air will come out of the vent. In contrast to fuel, the refrigerant does not get consumed in the process of its use, so the problem of the insufficient amount of the substance is most likely a leakage somewhere in the system.
Some of the symptoms of such a problem are the formation of ice on the evaporator coil, some hissing sounds, and extended cooling periods. Given that the work with refrigerant demands special equipment and training, this problem needs to be fixed by an HVAC technician.
Dirty Condenser Coils Affect Heat Transfer
The condensing unit outside is an important component in the removal of the heat absorbed from inside the house. However, dust, leaves, grass cuttings, and any other debris may accumulate on the condenser coils, making it difficult for the coils to transfer heat. If the coils are unable to dissipate the heat, it will make it hard for the cooling system to cool the house. As a result, the unit will continue to work without achieving the required temperature.
Cleaning the outdoor unit and ensuring that there is at least two feet of clearance around it is one of the things that homeowners need to do. Also, during professional maintenance carried out once per year, the condenser coils are cleaned.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings or Malfunctions
At times, the problem is not with the air conditioning unit itself but with the thermostat. Issues like wrong programming, a flat battery, sensor issues, or incorrect calibration could be the reason why the system is not running properly. It is essential to ensure that the thermostat is programmed for the cool mode and that the temperatures are lower than the indoor temperatures. In case you have a programmable thermostat, you should check whether there have been any changes to the programmed schedule.
The old thermostats might also become less accurate as time passes, leading to inconsistent cooling. A new thermostat would offer convenience and increase the efficiency of the air conditioning system.
Blocked or Leaking Air Ducts
Even though your air conditioner is in good condition, faulty or blocked air ducts could make the air cooling process less efficient. The function of air ducts is to distribute the air around your house, but if there are any leaks in the ducts or any dust accumulation, this will cause the cool air not to reach some parts of the house. You will observe low airflow and high utility costs. It is essential to conduct professional inspections of your air ducts to find all hidden leaks and close them up. Moreover, you need to ensure that the vents are open and not covered by any furniture or curtains.
The Finale
Just because your air conditioning is not properly cooling does not necessarily mean you have to replace the entire air conditioning system. These can range from dirty filters and clogged airflow to thermostat troubles and refrigerant leakage. If you know what to look for, it will be much easier to solve the problem and avoid unnecessary expenses.
The most basic steps of checking and maintaining your air conditioning system can be done by yourself, but any serious issue requires the work of experienced and certified HVAC contractors in Fort Worth. If you keep your AC in good shape, it will serve you well for many years to come.
