Why is my AC running but not cooling?

You come home from work, ready for a relaxing evening, only to open the door and receive a blast of stagnant, warm air in your face. You check your home’s air vents to see if there is air coming out – and there is. It’s just not cold.

Before you get too frustrated just thinking about that situation – and many of us understand it firsthand – realize there are several quick steps you can take that might relieve the stress and get your AC blasting cold air immediately. And there are also some more in-depth checks you can make, so that – if you do have to call a repair service – you can let them know exactly what it is and get them started on repairs ASAP. Let’s look at both steps and get you on the road to ice-cold recovery…

These simple fixes may prevent you from having to call an HVAC repair service and allow you to get right back into relaxation mode:

Check the thermostat

It could be that simple. Someone may have accidentally switched your cooling off or raised the temperature. If that is the case, drop the temperature to five degrees below what the current house temperature reads and give it a few minutes to see if cold air begins to flow.

Check the power

Another simple fix, the circuit breakers/fuses that control your compressor may have tripped/blown. If that is the case, your unit will keep blowing air, but it will not be cold.

Check the filter

This is another fairly simple step. If you do not know where the filter is located, you will need your air conditioner’s operating manual (or look it up online). But a clogged or dirty filter can most definitely affect air flow. It can even freeze up your system’s coils. Replace filters at least every 6 months, though once a quarter is preferable (even more if you have household pets).

Check the condenser

This is the outside unit of your AC. And because of it being outside there are occasions when debris can get into the unit, clog it up, and stop it from working. Look inside the unit and see if there is anything obviously disrupting it – such as branch that may be trapped in the fan motor. If there is any debris, you can remove it by hand or use a shop vac to pull it out.

OK, those are the simple fixes. Hopefully, they will do the trick. If they do not, however, and your HVAC is still blowing warm air, take a deep breath and prepare for the next step. You should realize at this point that, unless you have experience with HVAC repair, you may indeed to contact a professional. However, the steps you take beforehand, can help them get to their task quicker.

Check your evaporator coil

This part is on the indoor portion of your AC unit. Its job is to remove the heat and humidity that passes through your HVAC system before sending cool air into your home. However, your coils may freeze over and prevent them from working properly. You will know it is happening if you see it, as frost will be present on the copper refrigerant tubing present in the coil. However, you can also keep an eye out for this happening slowly by keeping an eye on your utility bills. If you see a slow, continued rise in your usage without another explanation, your coils could be starting to freeze up.

If this is not the issue, then you will need to have a licensed HVAC professional continue the search for you. That is because the other problems could stem from a refrigerant leak – which should only be addressed by a professional – or from leaky ductwork – which can be extraordinarily difficult to locate. A trained, professional HVAC technician, however, will be able to get to the heart of the matter quickly and begin to solve the problem.

So, if you find yourself dealing with a less than chilly air conditioner this summer, please take a few steps and see what you can do to solve the issue. But should you require help, know that there are trained, responsive pros just a phone call away.

At Conditioned Air Systems, we’ve been helping north Georgia residents cure their air conditioning ills through five decades. All of our technicians are NATE-certified (North American Technician Excellence is the leading standard) and are constantly trained on how to install, repair, and maintain a wide range of HVAC systems. And because we care about our reputation, we also demand that all of our representatives show up on time, treat our customers with the utmost respect, and provide them with written estimates for every job.

At Conditioned Air our name is our reputation, and that is why so many have trusted their air conditioner repair to us since 1983. We also offer 24/7 emergency services because we know that your cooling system doesn’t always follow a 9-to-5 schedule. So, call us today and let us come help get you back to a cool, relaxing evening – and away from the heat. Call us at 770-534-5121.