If your air conditioning unit is running but isn’t cooling effectively, take some simple troubleshooting steps. First make sure the thermostat is set to “on”, as well as that its breaker hasn’t been tripped.
Also be sure to ensure the air filters are clean and aren’t blocking the blower fan, otherwise this could result in frozen condenser coils or coils and an increase in cooling costs.
Thermostat Issues
Thermostats play an integral part in maintaining optimal temperature levels in your home. By relaying your preferences to the system, they enable it to make necessary adjustments that maintain home climate control. Unfortunately, thermostats are prone to issues which could compromise their performance; some can be addressed using simple troubleshooting tips while others require professional services for repair.
If your air conditioner runs but does not produce cooling, the first place to check should be your thermostat. It may have been turned off or set incorrectly; if set at “cool,” try turning down by several degrees; otherwise it could be indicative of a malfunction and need for replacement.
Another potential issue could be tripped circuit breakers. To check this if you have a hardwired thermostat, go to your electrical box and inspect which breakers have tripped, flip them back on, and ensure power reaches your unit. In case the wiring has become disconnected from the thermostat itself or has become corroded over time, remove its cover and inspect for signs of corrosion or looseness around its connections – any sign could indicate this could be happening!
Finally, your registers may be dirty or blocked up, forcing your AC unit to work harder and overheat. To correct this situation, take steps such as vacuuming them or running them through the dishwasher; additionally you may unblock any closed registers.
Temperature sensors may become damaged if exposed to hot or cold objects, such as fireplaces or exterior walls. Once damaged, your thermostat won’t respond as intended when setting temperatures; you may even fail to achieve your desired temperatures! If this seems likely, contact a professional immediately for replacement service and have it done as soon as possible.
Another potential thermostat issue may include poor connectivity or dead batteries. No matter the type of thermostat, this issue could arise if batteries become old or there is an electrical issue within it. If you can’t spot what the issue is yourself, it would be wise to contact an HVAC technician for help in order to quickly solve this matter.
Electrical Issues
Electrical problems can be extremely annoying, not to mention dangerous for your family’s wellbeing. While some issues may be straightforward to remedy on your own, others require professional help and could lead to flickering lights, higher electricity bills or even dangerous situations like electrical fires. If you experience one of these issues it is vital that a solution be found quickly before it worsens further.
One of the primary reasons that your air conditioning may not be cooling effectively is due to a circuit breaker issue. This is often caused by damaged ground wires or wiring which cause overheating and short circuiting, prompting a circuit breaker to trip and cut power to all your rooms. You can easily identify this problem by visiting your breaker box and inspecting for AC breakers that have tripped. In such instances, simply flip them back on.
If your air ducts are leaking, another potential explanation could be poor installation, damage, or simply having dirty filters. Air ducts distribute conditioned air throughout your home; without them distributing air efficiently enough it can be hard to keep everything cool.
If you need assistance repairing a leak in your ductwork, calling in professionals may be your best bet. They will inspect it and provide any needed repairs as well as cleaning out any dirt and dust which might be inhibiting air conditioning performance.
Dirty Air Filter
Air filters can often go overlooked when it comes to HVAC systems, yet are one of the first points of inspection when an air conditioning unit doesn’t cool effectively. Clogged filters restrict airflow throughout your home while potentially damaging critical components like the blower. Air filters should be checked and/or changed on a regular basis according to your system specifications and should only be installed back into it after being properly cleaned and dried after reuse. Reusable filters must also be thoroughly washed prior to returning them into their respective units.
Dirty air filters impede airflow through your system, making it more challenging to cool your home. Reduced airflow could even cause your evaporator coil and condenser to freeze up completely requiring costly replacement or repairs to remain operational.
Filthy air filters also pose the potential problem of restricting indoor fans from pulling enough hot air into the AC unit, forcing it to work harder than necessary and potentially leading to uncomfortablely high temperatures inside your house.
Damaged air filters can lead to dust and debris accumulation in both the evaporator coil and condenser, potentially requiring costly repairs or replacement services.
Frozen evaporator coils can be an extremely serious threat, but most often can be avoided through routine outdoor unit maintenance. Weeds, leaves or debris that might block its condenser must be cleared away regularly as well as keeping grass cut short and shrubbery pruned around your AC unit in order to prevent overgrowth.
There may be many factors contributing to why your air conditioning unit isn’t cooling, but one easy place to check is your breaker box. A tripped breaker could prevent your AC from turning on at all; so be sure to inspect this area thoroughly for any tripped switches or broken breaks. Although other issues could also be the culprit such as faulty thermostats or more serious problems; try making small fixes before calling in professional help.
Frozen Evaporator Coil or Condenser
Frozen coils in your air conditioner can create many issues. Once frozen, they make it more difficult for the blower fan to pull heat from the air, leading to overheating of your system and increasing strain on its whole AC unit. Furthermore, larger amounts of ice on your coil could even cause it to freeze up completely and stop your system from cooling as intended.
When your system becomes overwhelmed with heat, its cooling ability cannot take effect and must be addressed by professionals before your home can remain comfortably cooled down. If this occurs to you, call in an expert right away in order to restore proper functionality before any further attempts at cooling are undertaken.
This issue arises when the evaporator coil freezes. Located inside your system’s indoor section above your furnace, an evaporator coil serves to transfer heat between refrigerant that flows through it and you. Over time, however, its surface can become dirty with dust and dirt buildup, restricting its ability to transfer heat efficiently to refrigerant, leading to reduced transference and freezing in its entirety.
Normaly, the ice will melt naturally within 24 hours if the weather conditions are temperate and you aren’t using your air conditioner. However, this thawing process only works if your AC unit hasn’t been activated for some time; otherwise it may need to be switched off in order to prevent work on its system and any damage being done to its coil or compressor.
Once the ice has been melted, switch your thermostat to fan-only setting to allow airflow over the evaporator coil to push warm air over it and melt any additional ice that remains. A hairdryer may help speed this up further.
Know your AC unit well so you can effectively troubleshoot it, saving both money and time and energy in the long run. If you require any assistance or have any inquiries about DeZiel Heating & AC in Cheverly, Maryland contact one of their professional HVAC technicians for help immediately.