When an Air Conditioner is Not Cooling

There are a few things you can look into when your air conditioner is not cooling the room as expected. This way, you might be able to figure out a possible reason before calling for professional help. Here are the most common causes of AC failure:

1.   Undersized Unit

An AC unit will not be strong enough to cool a room larger than its capacity. That is why you need to get your room measured by a professional before buying and installing a unit in it. Once you have installed an undersized AC unit, the only way to fix the situation is to buy a new one with a bigger capacity.

2.   Dirty Filter

Ideally, you should replace the air filter on your AC unit every six months. Otherwise, dust and dirt will accumulate and block the airflow. That is why a dirty filter will give you insufficiently cold air. If your indoor air quality tends to be poor, consider replacing your filters sooner than six months.

3.   Dirty Condenser

The condenser coils on the outdoor unit might be loaded with dust and debris. Such a dirt buildup may interfere with the heat transfer process, preventing the AC unit from reaching its desired temperature. Once you clean it up, your AC should be able to cool properly again. If you have no idea how to properly clean it, get professional help because using the wrong method might damage the coils instead.

4.   Malfunctioning Thermostat

Another vital thing to check when the air conditioner is not cooling is the thermostat. Sometimes, the problem is as simple as the thermostat malfunctioning. Maybe you have set it incorrectly or there is some type of error. Try recalibrating the device and resetting it. Sometimes, it is due to a low battery, which you can solve with a simple battery replacement.

5.   Extreme Outdoor Temperature

Check the outdoor temperature in your area. If the weather is hotter than usual, it might be hard for your AC to adjust the heat transfer. There is not much you can do about this situation other than setting your AC temperature as low as possible. Unfortunately, as the climate crisis gets worse, extreme weather may happen any day.

6.   Leaked Refrigerant

The refrigerant line should be in a closed loop. If the line leaks, the refrigerant will seep out. Refrigerant is the medium that carries out the excess heat from indoor air to outdoor. Without enough of it, your system will not be able to transfer as much heat as needed. To check if there is a leak in your refrigerant line and fix it, you need to call a certified technician.

It’s annoying when your air conditioner is not cooling. It’s even worse if it happens in the middle of the summer. Fortunately, you can easily avoid such problems by hiring a professional to install your AC system in the first place. Furthermore, do not underestimate the importance of regular maintenance because it will prevent various AC problems, including poor cooling performance.

ECM Air Conditioning, with its headquarters located in Boynton Beach, FL, provides air conditioning services within Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County. If you’re looking to have a new HVAC system installed, we’re on-call and ready to assist you. So if you’re in need of an HVAC installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an inspection! Our HVAC installation experts will check your ductwork, measure, check wire sizes, and more before making recommendations to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. Call us at 561-295-1763 or contact our HVAC installation team online by clicking here.