Why is my air conditioner not cooling?
Is your air conditioner struggling to keep you cool? You may be wondering, "Why is my air conditioner not cooling?" In this article, we will explore some of the most common reasons why your air conditioner could not be cooling effectively. We will also share with you remedies to get relief fast.
After all, keeping your home cool is essential. In fact, without adequate air conditioning, you compromise the comfort of your home with numerous negative effects, such as poorer air quality, excessive humidity, and mildew, to name a few.
As temperatures heat up in Atlanta, knowing why your AC is not cooling helps you better enjoy more precious moments at home. Here are some of the reasons why your air conditioner is not cooling:
Air filters need to be changed
Can you remember the last time you replaced your air filter? What may seem like a serious problem can be solved with a simple fix just by replacing your air filters? Filters are designed to filter out indoor air pollution.
But, when they've collected too many airborne particulates, they become ineffective not only by removing air pollutants but also in preventing cool air flow. In fact, did you know that air filters should be replaced every 60 to 90 days?
Air filters should not be replaced on a whim. With humans spending 90% of their time indoors and in the home, most people are exposed to contaminants and airborne pollutants in the home.
You should follow an air filter changeout routine in accordance with your home's needs. At Estes Services, we offer several Maintenance Membership Plans that help you keep up with these requirements. By becoming a member, you prioritize your comfort and stay on top of your required maintenance.
System fans are malfunctioning.AC units typically contain two fans to distribute the hot and cold air over both the evaporator and condenser coils. However, if one of the fans becomes faulty, it affects the air-cooling process and, in turn, does not cool your home.
Prolonging inspection and maintenance can create even more problems, such as parts overheating and compression failure.
Evaporator coils need to be serviced
Evaporator coils inside your AC unit are critical for absorbing heat and humidity from your home by replacing the hot air with cool air. Though, over time, the coils can collect debris and particulates from their surroundings, which can affect the performance of your unit.
What does this mean for your AC unit? This means the air removed from your home cannot effectively be cooled due to covered coils. As a result, your unit struggles to remove and replace the heat and moisture from the inside air.
Cleaning of your unit's coils should be performed by a licensed and trained Atlanta HVAC technician. Furthermore, like the evaporator coils being blocked with debris, this can also be true for your condenser unit and its coils, which brings us to our next point: checking the airflow in the condenser unit.
The condenser unit and coils are blocked
Not only can your unit's evaporator coils be covered with debris and particulates, but also the condenser coils can be, too. The condenser unit serves an important role in carrying the removed heat from your home and dispersing it to the open air.
However, if blocked by grass, dirt, and other outside particulates, hot air can build up and be sent back into your home. This leads to not only poor air quality but also less energy efficiency, which causes your system to run more excessively than in normal operating conditions.
As a result, your unit can become more prone to frequent breakdowns, shortening the life of the unit. It may be time to enlist the help of a professional and have your condenser cleaned.
A refrigerant leak is present
Another problem associated with your AC not cooling is a potential refrigerant leak. In every air conditioning unit, refrigerant is needed to properly replace heat and moisture in your home with cool air.
However, when there is a refrigerant leak, your air conditioner will not cool as effectively as you remember. Some signs of a refrigerant leak include the following:
Hissing noise coming from the AC unit
Higher levels of humidity inside your home
Ice formation present around the evaporator coils
Air inside the home is not being cooled
Are you noticing one or more of these signs? You may have a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant leaks should be taken seriously with prompt AC repair.
In fact, if you suspect a refrigerant leak with your unit, schedule service now and have one of our licensed and trained technicians further investigate. The longer you wait, the more potential for problems with your unit.
After your HVAC service, proper preventative maintenance, especially by joining a Maintenance Membership, is recommended to prevent costly refrigerant leaks down the road.
Air conditioner has reached its useful life
Sometimes, one of the reasons an air conditioner could not be providing proper cooling is the fact that it has reached the end of its useful life. There are several signs and symptoms that can exemplify you may need a new unit.
One of such is your air conditioner not removing enough humidity. At normal operating conditions, your air conditioning system should effectively remove humidity from your home. If you've owned your system for more than 10 to 15 years, then you may be due for a replacement.
The fact of the matter is your HVAC unit wears down over time and can thereby weaken the cooling performance of your system. The good news is that a new AC installation from Estes Services can be simple, easy, and affordable. Not to mention, a great investment for your home.
Schedule Air Conditioning Service with Estes Services Today
As you can see, there are many reasons why your air conditioner could not be cooling. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or something else, it's time to give our experts a call.
Our licensed, NATE-certified technicians can properly diagnose your unit's problem and bring fast cooling relief. With over 70+ years of experience as a third-generation, family-owned local company, Estes Services makes it easy for all your home air-conditioning needs.
Since 1949, Estes Services has been Atlanta's #1 home for HVAC, plumbing, and electric services. It's that Easy; It's Estes! Schedule service today.
