You are slogging away in the scorching heat of July afternoon or a restless night. Not having a functioning air conditioner is a significant inconvenience. And it will only happen during winter if it ever does. The air conditioner won’t provide adequate cooling on the hottest summer day, no matter how low you set the thermostat. Having your air conditioner serviced will prevent costly repairs.
Around 20% to 30% of all homes will encounter the “air conditioner isn’t blowing cold air” problem at some point. It may seem like a bother at first. The only purpose of an air conditioner is to make a room cooler.
Frustration levels skyrocket when your air conditioner fails to perform its primary function. You may immediately want to call a technician. Still, with some research and experimentation, you can fix the issue and avoid the service fee. The homeowner can fix many common household problems after some simple troubleshooting.
Second, if the air conditioner suddenly stops producing cold air even if it is still on, you should be concerned. Operating an air conditioner that is not producing cold air could damage the system if the underlying cause is not addressed.
Thankfully, there are several common reasons why air conditioners stop working properly. There are many potential causes for an air conditioner operating but not reducing the inside temperature, ranging from something as basic as a wrongly adjusted thermostat or a filthy filter to something more involved that involves replacing components.
Here, we will list some things you should consider before making that all-important phone call to professionals.
First, Understand the Essential Components of Your Window AC
Phase conversion powers air conditioners.
- The sealed coil system of an AC unit evaporates and condenses refrigerant.
- The unit’s evaporative coils (typically inside your home near a blower unit) become extremely cold when the refrigerant converts from liquid to gas.
- The fan blasts air over those cold coils, cooling your home’s ducting.
- The gas returns to a condenser coil unit outside and cools to a liquid, repeating the cycle.
- Many factors can cause your AC to blow warm air. Check these if your air conditioner isn’t cooling.
Find the Issue?
Stop feeling sorry—you should have checked your air conditioner before turning it on. Let’s go over the steps to get the chilly air blowing again.
Remember that these machines’ technology evolves yearly to meet market needs and fight competitors. Since it needs to be updated, an AC from the early 2000s is more likely to break down.
It’s also dangerous to presume a warm room is due to an ineffective AC. Like any equipment, these work best under particular conditions.
First Cause: Window AC Mode is Wrong
Window air conditioners may not cool for one reason. Most window air conditioners have Cool, Fan, and Dry modes.
Cool mode removes heat from the room until the AC thermostat’s specified temperature is reached. It also dehumidifies the air, making it more comfortable and less “muggy.” It will keep your selected room temperature until you change the thermostat or mode.
If your window AC isn’t cool, try Cool Mode. If it’s in Cool Mode and doesn’t cool your space, there’s another problem.
Other Common Causes of Window AC Not Blowing Cold Air
Your air conditioner blows warm air. There are various reasons your air conditioner may not blast cold air. Call a professional technician if your air conditioner isn’t blowing cold air. DIY air conditioning repairs can cause further damage.
1. Undersized AC
BTU (British Thermal Units per hour) measures air conditioner cooling capacity. Under moderate conditions, a little air conditioner may work fine. As temperatures rise, your AC may run for lengthy periods and struggle to chill you.
The rating info on the cabinet panel can help you calculate the size of your AC unit, but it will only tell you if it’s ideal for your home. When determining the appropriate system size for your home, factors such as the floor space, the quality of the structure and insulation, the climate condition, and other factors are considered.
If your system is small, a ductless unit may help cool “hot zones.” Or replace the system with an appropriately sized one. Sizing issues should be addressed by a competent technician who can properly estimate your home’s cooling capability.
2. Power Issues
Check the plug and cable if your AC isn’t blowing cool air. If both are fine, it may be the electrical panel. A blown fuse or tripped breaker will cause these issues.
3. Dirty Filters
Having a dirty air filter is a common reason for air conditioners to fail to provide cool air. Ice can form on the outside and evaporator coils if your air conditioner keeps running.
4. Damage Heat Pumps
Heat pumps appear like AC units but have separate components to heat and chill your home. It operates like an air conditioner condenser unit, with the same issues: filthy, clogged, frozen coils, refrigerant leaks, and compressor failures. Check the thermostat, air filter, and condenser unit for concerns if your heat pump isn’t cooling. Call your dealer if you’re still sweating after checking everything.
5. Damaged Parts
Your condenser unit may have a broken part. A failed compressor or interior coil could be expensive to repair. A bad capacitor or contactor may prevent the electrical system from working properly if your exterior condenser doesn’t operate.
The refrigerant in the lines won’t move correctly if the compressor fails. Refrigerant can leak from a defective indoor coil. A bad compressor or indoor coil is rare unless your unit is old. To properly identify these issues, you’ll need a technician. Room air conditioners use sensors to manage coolant flow. Your air conditioner may cycle or not reach the right temperature if these sensors break.
The sensor wire should bend near the coil but not contact it. It’s easy to do yourself, but make sure the device is off and use caution. Check the air damper too. Opening it lets outside air in, which wastes energy. Check the back cover, which many neglects to remove after winter. Check that the air conditioner’s warm-end condensing coils last. To clean the coils, remove the air conditioner’s cover.
6. Ice Buildup
Ice can form in your AC for many causes. First, clean your coils and filters to improve airflow. Run the air conditioner’s fan to melt the ice after cleaning the filters and coils. The AC may not blow cold air if refrigerant levels are low.
7. Electrical Errors
Electrical issues can prevent your AC from blowing chilly air. Sensors, thermostats, and even wiring can malfunction. Check the circuit breaker for your AC system.
8. Check Thermostat’s Cooling Mode
A licensed electrician should diagnose and repair any additional electrical faults for safety and warranty purposes.
9. Coolant Deficiency
Air moving over the evaporator coils is cooled by the coolant, which then cools the room. The AC doesn’t cool when this coolant level drops. At this point, call a PRO for coolant filling.
10. Change the Thermostat
When an air conditioner works but doesn’t cool, someone may have switched the thermostat from “Automatic” to “Fan.”
When the thermostat is set to “Automatic,” the air conditioning turns on when the indoor temperature climbs above the predetermined temperature. Having the unit set to “Fan” instead of “Cool” will cause it to circulate air through the ducts.
11. Incandescent Light and Poor Insulation
Remove unneeded heat sources to help your AC chill your room. It entails tinting or covering direct-sunlight windows and switching to LED lights. These provide less heat and lower utility expenses.
12. Airflow Switch Problem
Some air handlers have a safety float switch that switches off the equipment if the drain pipe overflows. After cleaning the condenser drainpipe, reset the switch if it trips.
13. Unclog the Condensate Drain
Air conditioners condense humidity, which must go somewhere. Depending on your system, condensation drain hoses transport water to a floor drain or outside. Some AC won’t blow cold air, while others shut down.
14. Low Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant prevents your air conditioner from cooling your home. However, a closed-loop air conditioning system should never leak refrigerant. Low refrigerant indicates a leak. This leak will continue to leak refrigerant, squandering your money. R-22 repairs have skyrocketed due to its phaseout. Due to decreased supplies, R-22 refrigerant repairs can cost $400 or more.
15. The Intense Heat in the Atmosphere
An air conditioner’s efficiency is maximized at a specific temperature range (ambient temperature). The cooling system becomes less effective when the temperature rises above the ideal range. As the temperature outdoors rises, the compressor can eventually overheat and fail.
16. Ignoring Routine Maintenance
One common misconception is that annual upkeep is unnecessary. Those homeowners suffer through unexpected failures, expensive repairs, and a non-functioning air conditioner on the year’s hottest days. And that’s true especially from about the middle of June until the end of September.
17. Failure of Remote Control
Sometimes, the AC unit might not respond to the remote’s commands to adjust the temperature. If your remote control is broken, you may easily replace it.
Problems With the Air Conditioner Due to Poor Installation
- It happens all the time with HVAC systems, which is frustrating.
- It’s only possible to get the desired level of cooling from an efficiently fitted air conditioner. More parts in your Central AC system could have been installed improperly than in a regular window AC unit.
- It will become apparent after installing a brand-new air conditioner. Let us give you a second view and help you resolve any issues.
- The size of your air conditioner is also crucial. Simply put, it will only chill your home properly if it’s bigger and smaller. Consult a trained professional specializing in home comfort systems before purchasing an air conditioner.
Your AC is Old
Even the finest air conditioners eventually fail. After 15 years, you should start monitoring your air conditioner. If your AC costs hundreds of dollars annually to maintain or doesn’t cool your home, replace it.
How to Fix AC Not Blowing Air?
Fix #1
Clean the air filter every two weeks—more if you use the aircon often. Soapy water and a soft-bristled brush can clean the filter at home. Before reinstalling, let the filter dry thoroughly. Dry-clean the filter with a vacuum cleaner nozzle.
Fix #2
Your fan may be making a clunking, rattling, or helicopter-like sound. You can open the housing to examine the fan motor or blades, bend misaligned blades back, or lubricate corroded blades. However, if you have no experience repairing household appliances, call a technician to avoid more damage and ensure an exact diagnosis.
Fix #3
- Open your AC unit’s front panel vents, like the filter, to reach the evaporator coil.
- Use a vacuum with a nozzle or compressed air to clean the coils.
- Before utilizing the unit, ensure the coils are dry and avoid strong chemicals.
Fix #4
Check the outdoor AC unit. Birds may nest in your aircon, or debris may obstruct vents. Water or handpick the problem inside your condenser unit, and call a technician.
Fix #5
Have a technician check, detect, and fix refrigerant line leaks and fill off the coolant. Refrigerant is a dangerous chemical.
Fix #6
Check continuity with a multimeter and cool the thermistor to test temperature control (usually done by applying an ice cube). If the temperature control works, continuity should stop. Replace a damaged thermistor using your manufacturer’s instructions.
How To Tell If Your AC is Cooling?
Warning signals that your A/C unit is cooling your home might help you determine if this HVAC component is working:
- Air filter clean – As a good homeowner, you must change your air conditioner’s air filter monthly, especially during season changes. (Switching it helps if your home has a lot of smoke, hair, pet dander, and other allergens or infections.)
- The thermostat’s on – Whether you changed the batteries or performed a maintenance test, the thermostat should be on and accurate. It’s easy to tell if your air conditioner is working.
- You hear the blower fan – If you can listen to and see the blower’s fan, it’s working.
- Inside is cooler – After a day in the heat, nothing is worse than coming home to a hotter house. The air conditioner should be fine if it is cooler inside than outside.
- You can also monitor the temperature difference when the outdoor temperature is 80 degrees or greater. Set your thermostat much below room temperature when this happens. Put a refrigerator thermometer in one of your AC ducts for 10 minutes after the unit reaches the set temperature. After, record the temperature. Next, use the refrigerator thermometer to measure the return air duct’s temperature. The unit is good if the difference between the first and second numbers is greater than 14 degrees.
- It’s quiet – While you can hear the blower fans whirring, the operation should be quiet. In hot, humid weather, this suggests the unit is well-maintained.
- Insulation is sufficient – During an HVAC maintenance check-up, a specialist can assess your home’s insulation. Your air conditioner should be running well if so.
- Ensure sunlight isn’t excessive – Natural light makes your unit work harder by raising the inside temperature, but homeowners adore it. The unit should cool your home if you close the blinds and drapes.
- The unit has no natural debris – Even though most leaves haven’t fallen, the outside unit can fill up with sticks, grass clippings, and other biological waste from lawn mowing and undesirable critter nests. Your home should be fabulous if nothing is near the air conditioner.
Maintaining Your Window AC Regularly Might Help you Avoid Problems
Preventative maintenance is the most cost-effective method of avoiding AC repair. Air conditioners will only perform well if the filters and coils are clean. A clogged filter is a common reason for its early demise.
Maintaining your window air conditioner is essential to its continued efficiency. Regular maintenance can prevent an AC breakdown in the middle of summer.
Here are some things to do to get your air conditioner ready for the warmer months and keep it running smoothly:
- Filter replacement is recommended every three months while in use.
- You should inspect windows for costly repairs.
- You should clean windows, tracks, and screens thoroughly before installation.
- Cleaning and inspecting coils
- When the cooling season is done, make sure to give the entire air conditioner a good vacuuming to get rid of any dust or debris that may have settled in
- Then, cover the unit and keep it somewhere dry and clean throughout the winter.
5 Indicators That It’s Time to Get a New Air Conditioner
Suppose your air conditioner is not producing cold air while being on. In that case, there are a few telltale indicators that even professionals cannot fix.
- If your AC unit is over a decade old and runs but doesn’t produce cold air, consider getting a new one. The technician will take a look and recommend the replacement system best for you.
- Consider an upgrade if your house air conditioner has been giving you trouble regularly, including failing to produce cold air.
- Suppose the cost of repairs is getting out of hand. In that case, we’d like to discuss upgrading to a more dependable model that won’t have issues like an a/c that won’t blow cold air.
- If you have an air conditioner and your expenses are much higher than they used to be, the air coming out of it is cool but not cold. You may be misusing your air conditioner.
- Not only is your home’s central air conditioner not producing cool air, but it also makes noises frequently.
When to Call a Professional Technician?
A compressor unit failure or a leak in the refrigerant could cause your air conditioner’s inability to chill the room after you’ve tried the preceding troubleshooting measures. Handling this issue requires certification and is illegal for anybody other than a qualified technician. Suppose your air conditioner is ten years old and isn’t producing cold air. The problem may be a faulty compressor, so you’ll need to replace the entire unit. Make the call to the experts who are the only ones who can fix these problems!
Your expert technician may recommend replacing your air conditioner if it is getting on in years and you need extensive repairs. But first, they’ll do whatever it takes to get your present system back up and running.
It’s Up to You to Enjoy Cool Summer!
A broken air conditioner during the peak of summer is one of the worst possible scenarios. If your central air conditioner is not producing cold air, there are a few things you may do to fix the problem. Trained technicians should always handle maintenance and repairs on your HVAC system. Your contractor will appreciate it if you take the time to investigate the issue and communicate your findings to them.
An annual AC tune-up is your best protection against an inefficient cooling system. You can save money on utility bills, find refrigerant leaks, and ensure your HVAC system is effectively cooling your home by doing routine maintenance on your air conditioning equipment.
Many different, ranging from simple to complex, factors could cause this. It’s best to call in a professional HVAC specialist if you’re having trouble diagnosing the issue.
They are knowledgeable and skilled in maintenance and fixing things. If you notice a problem with your air conditioner, call for service immediately so you may rectify it. You can return to a comfortably cool home environment or workplace as soon as possible.
Once the air conditioning has been restored, routine maintenance will ensure that it remains functional year after year. A yearly tune-up will not only extend the life of your air conditioner and cut down on repair costs, but it will also reduce your energy use and hence your monthly expenses.
