It’s a hot, humid summer afternoon here in New Jersey. You come inside and set the thermostat at 72 degrees. You can hear the air conditioner fan running, but the thermometer in the house now says 76 degrees, and it keeps rising. It looks like you’re in for a warm, sleepless night.
One of the most common problems we see in the summer is the air conditioner running but not cooling the house. This can be a frustrating problem, but it doesn’t always mean costly repairs. There are numerous reasons why your air conditioner isn’t working, and our certified techs at Air Experts are here to help.
Wrong Thermostat Setting
If it seems too warm in your house, the first thing to do is check the thermostat. Make sure it is set to cool. If it is on cool, check to see if the temperature setting is correct. If it is set to heat or constant fan, switch it back to the cool setting. Wait a few minutes before checking to see if cold air is blowing from the vents.
Dirty Filter
The air filter inside your home catches dirt, dust, and other debris and keeps it from going into your cooling system. A dirty or clogged air filter can block airflow, making it harder for your system to cool your home. The dirty filter may cause the system to turn off completely in some cases. Be sure to change your air filters regularly to avoid this problem. If you are part of Air Expert’s Energy Saving Agreement, you get year-round maintenance visits to safeguard your heating and cooling equipment, including new air filter replacements.
Blocked Condenser
Another reason your air conditioner isn’t cooling your home could be from a blocked condenser unit. The outside condenser and coils can easily get clogged with grass and dirt, leading to reduced efficiency and cooling. Keep the outside condenser free of debris, and make sure nothing else is blocking airflow, like a fence or outdoor furniture. In extreme cases, a dirty or blocked condenser can damage the unit and leave you with a costly repair bill.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the chemical that runs through the system’s indoor and outdoor coils and is essential to the cooling process. If it’s not fixed, it can cause the compressor to fail. A leak can cause a breakdown in the cooling process, causing your system to run longer without cooling your home.
Incorrect Size for Your Home
Not all air conditioners are the same size – they are measured in BTUh (British Thermal Units per hour) to determine the correct size for your home. Your air conditioner may be too small for your home, so it can’t keep up with cooling your home. It may run for long periods without adequately cooling your home, which leads to higher energy costs. If you think your AC is too small for your home, our cooling experts can help you determine the correct unit size for your home.
An underperforming air conditioner can be frustrating, but Air Experts technicians are ready to help you solve the problem. Schedule your next service call online, or give us a call at (732) 759-0934.