Why is my Air Conditioner not Cooling?
Arriving home to a malfunctioning air conditioner in the state of Texas after a long day’s work is utterly miserable.
Texas temperatures reach scorching highs throughout the hot months of the year without even the slightest mercy. Because of this, going without an AC unit is an awful ordeal that you will want to address quickly.
Coming home to a warm house when all you wanted to do is relax is not only uncomfortable but immediately stressful when you start thinking about AC repair costs. Quite honestly, it can be a fairly torturous experience all around.
However, before you jump the gun and decide to empty your savings account, let’s check on a few basic AC components and make sure all of the simple parts are functioning correctly.
You’d be surprised to know that air conditioning units can be reasonably sensitive machines in some of the smallest of ways. Several quick-fix instances can cause an AC malfunction.
Air Conditioner Troubleshooting
- Air conditioner filter- Your AC unit’s filter is the first thing you will want to check when your air conditioner is blowing air that isn’t cool. All of the air in your home travels through your filter. If for some reason this part of your AC system is compromised by, say, blockage or needing a simple filter change, it is very common for your air conditioner to become overheated and stop performing properly. Hence your hot and uncomfortable home. So, start by checking your filter, if it appears dirty or clogged either replace it completely or do your best to clean it and clear the airway until you can. If that was the problem, your home should begin cooling soon after.
- Thermostat- Now it’s time to check your thermostat. What is it set to? If your air conditioner’s thermostat is set to ON rather than AUTO, more than likely you are unnecessarily overworking your AC unit. Switch your thermostat to AUTO and give your unit time to adjust (this may take a while). Once your AC is set to AUTO and is no longer overexerting itself, it should be able to cool your home much more efficiently and consistently without malfunctioning.
- Ductwork- Another area you will want to check is your ductwork. Ductwork also tends to get clogged with dust and debris build-up. Make sure those airways are free and clear as well. Occasionally you may need to have your ducts professionally cleaned, but let’s keep going with our troubleshooting before you make the call.
- Condenser- Take a walk outside and check your condenser unit. Your condenser unit is where you will find a lot of your air conditioning system’s vital functioning components. The fan in your outdoor AC condenser is the part of your AC system that pulls in air through the outer fins, cools the air with a coolant, and then pumps it into your home. Because the condenser is outside, its ability to pull in air efficiently can easily be compromised by overgrown vegetation and debris.
As you can see, airflow is a common theme here. It is extremely important that all of the air traffic areas of your air conditioning system stay free and clear for a smooth operation. For an airflow compromised condenser, clear all vegetation several feet away from the unit. Lastly, be sure to wash and straighten all outer fins for continuous airflow.
AC Troubleshooting – Problem Solved?
Hopefully, these tips helped you out and have you happily on your way to a more comfortable home for you and your family! Now that your AC is back in proper working order, check out our Home AC Performance blog to learn more about some of the ways you can improve your home’s air quality and save on energy expenses.
However, if you, unfortunately, find yourself in the same situation without cool air after exhausting all of these AC troubleshooting options, give Dave Lane’s High-Tech Mechanical Inc. a call now at 713-465-6345! These guys are sure to have your AC back up and running in no time.