Do you find yourself asking “why is my air conditioner not cooling my home?”
When it comes to beating the Florida heat our AC units put some serious time in. We only realise how invaluable they actually are when they’re not working . But if you’re not an AC technician, troubleshooting your AC unit can be a daunting task.
Don’t worry we’re here to help! Read on for our guide to common reasons for why your air conditioner isn’t cooling like it should.
It’s Your Thermostat
Sometimes problems aren’t as big as you might think. Although it is only small, your thermostat can stop your whole system from working if it fails.
Your batteries are dead
Thermostat batteries last a long time. So much so that most of us can’t remember whether our thermostats are battery operated or not! But if your AC runs, but the thermostat displays are dead, a dead battery is often the most common cause.
9 times out of 10, popping off the cover and swapping out the batteries will bring your thermostat back online, and get your home cool again in no time.
Thermostat has the Wrong Temperature
Thermostats work by reading the temperature and telling your AC unit what it must do. But over time dust and grime can build up inside your thermostat, ruining the reading. Give your thermostat a quick clean to see if that has any impact on your AC unit.
Mechanical thermostats rely on a very precise mechanism. Something as simple as being off kilter can stop them working properly. Use a carpenters level to make sure that all your thermostats are level.
Sometimes your thermostat will be working , but you aren’t giving it the right information. Being next to a cold draft, or in an area with lots of airflow could make it to report a lower temperature than the rest of the room. Relocating your thermostat should fix this issue, giving you more accurate results.
Your AC Unit is Undersized
Air conditioning units aren’t universal. As every home is suited to a different type of AC unit, which is why having your home properly sized before installing is so important.
If whoever installed your current AC unit didn’t know what they were doing, or was cutting corners, you may have a unit that is too small for your property. If so, it will have trouble cooling your home, even if it is running perfectly.
You will probably notice that it is running almost constantly, but never completing a cooling cycle as it lacks the power to cool the whole house. Not only will this stop you from cooling down in the summer, it will also increase your energy bills and reduce the life of your system.
If your AC unit is undersized, it will need to be replaced by a model more suited to your home. Be sure to contact an air conditioning technician to properly size your home before choosing your new unit.
Dirty Filters
Filters are an essential part of your AC system. They trap dust, dirt and pollen and stop in building up in your AC system, or circulating around your house. But unless you change them regularly, this will build up over time.
Once your filters become sufficiently blocked, they can end up trapping you cooled air in your AC unit and air ducts. Not only will this stop the cooled air from being able to cool your home, it can cause damage. Ice can form around your AC unit, seizing it up and causing mechanical damage.
The first signs of blocked filters in inconsistent cooling in your home. If certain rooms stop being so easy to cool, or start to feel stuffy, you should check your filters as a priority. You will also notice increased energy bills as your unit stresses itself trying to cool your home.
Refrigerant Leak
A refrigerant leak is one of the most common problems affecting air conditioners.
Refrigerant is a critical component of any AC unit. Without it, your AC is more a fan than a cooling system! Refrigerant flows through the coils in your AC system, absorbing heat and releasing it at your outside unit. If your refrigerant is low, your unit will not be able to move as much heat, causing it to have to work for longer periods of time, and reducing its ability to cool. If the level gets too low, it can also cause damage, or break your system.
While a low coolant level may not appear to be a major issue, it reveals a larger problem. AC units are closed systems, which means there should be no way for refrigerant to leave the system. If you are low on refrigerant, you must have a leak.
Refrigerant is a harmful substance, so you should always leave this type of maintenance to a professional. If you see any of the warning signs of a refrigerant leak, arrange a visit from an AC repair professional to top up your system and find and repair the leak.
Blocked Condenser
You AC unit’s condenser uses a fan made of tight fins to pull in air to cool your refrigerant. But if this isn’t working properly, then your unit won’t cool effectively.
But like air filters, over time dirt, debris and even grass can build on the fan blades. This will reduce the efficiency of your system, and can even cause it to stop working.
If your AC isn’t cooling as well as it used to, try cleaning the condenser fins with a stiff brush or a vacuum on low setting.
Air Conditioner Not Cooling? No Problem!
As you can see, there are many reasons your Air Conditioner is not cooling your home like it used to. AC units are complex machines, but often the issues are small and easily fixed. But if you have followed all our troubleshooting advice, and your unit s still not cooling properly, you need professional help.
Get In Touch
Our air conditioning technicians are some of the most highly skilled air conditioning repair technicians in the Sarasota and Charlotte County areas, and will get your AC back to full strength in no time.
