Your AC is designed to cool your home, however, it’s not uncommon to find that your AC blowing cold air but not cooling the house. Unfortunately, when it happens, it’s often during the hottest days of summertime.
If you’ve had to ask, “why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house?”, know that the causes range from minor problems like a thermostat set incorrectly to more complicated situations needing component replacement. While an AC unit that isn’t cooling does not mean costly repairs or replacement, it would be best to have it immediately serviced to avoid further complications.
In this blog, we’ll look at some factors that may be the underlying cause leading to your air conditioner not effectively cooling your home.
What To Check When the AC Is Blowing Cold Air but Not Cooling the House
While it can be worrying when your AC suddenly fails to function properly, there are a few checkpoints you should go over before calling a professional.
Incorrect Thermostat Setting
Check the thermostat settings when your house gets hotter than usual. First, make sure the setting is “cool.” Switch it back to cooling mode if it is now set to heat, fan, or off. Wait a few minutes after the system turns on before checking to see if cold air is blowing from the registers as it should. If it didn’t solve your problem, the next troubleshooting tip is to check the air filter.
Unclean Air Filter
As airborne particles reach the air handler unit, the filter traps dirt, dust, and other airborne particles. An air filter helps keep the air in your home cleaner and keeps the system’s internal parts running more effectively. However, a clogged filter may compromise your home’s ability to stay cool. In more severe circumstances, it may result in a complete system shutdown.
After you’ve checked your thermostat and you’re still not getting any cool air, locate your unit’s air filter to remove and clean it. If your central air conditioner doesn’t adequately cool your home after you are certain the air filter is clean, you may need to look further to identify the issue.
Obstructed Condenser Unit
A blocked condenser coil may cause your AC to blow cold air but not cool the house. When functioning properly, the fan pulls in air into the outdoor system through the coil. In some cases, dust, grass, and other airborne particles can accumulate between the blades and jam the coil.
Reduced energy efficiency, a lack of cool air from the registers, or in severe circumstances, a unit shutdown or compressor damage can all be caused by a dirty coil. You can clean the coil and remove dirt by vacuuming with a brush fitting or rinsing it with a hose.
However, if these troubleshooting tips still don’t seem to solve the problem or you don’t have the time to troubleshoot, it’s best to call a professional if your AC is still not cooling.
Here are some more probable reasons why your AC is blowing cold air but not cooling the house and when it’s best to call a professional:
- Damaged heat pump
- Frozen Evaporator coil
- Leaking refrigerant
In some cases, it helps to consider the size of your AC conditioner. Sometimes, it could be as practical as having an undersized air conditioner.
An AC services expert could help determine what repair your AC might need. This will save you time, effort and having to speculate what the problem may be, so you can get back to enjoying the comfort of a cool home.
Get Professional Help From Raven Mechanical
Having your AC function as it should is critical for your comfort and your AC system’s longevity. If your AC isn’t effectively cooling your home, continuous usage might turn a minor problem into a costly component failure or system replacement. Raven Mechanical offers HVAC equipment repair services that are prompt, dependable, and professional. Send a message to our AC specialists, or call us at 281-987-1618 for immediate assistance.
