Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling the House?

Georgia’s subtropical climate brings hot, humid summer weather. If you live in the Macon area and your AC is not cooling the house, it’s important to know the reason and how to fix it so your family stays comfortable. The experts at Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling provide a range of AC services, including professional repair and maintenance, to keep your home cool all summer.

Learn some of the most common reasons why your AC may not be cooling your house and what you can do about it. 

Thermostat Functionality

Your thermostat communicates with your air conditioner to tell it when to adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting. This is the first thing to check if your AC is not cooling. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, the AC may not be blowing cold air. Here are some potential issues with thermostat functionality and how to fix them:

• Low battery: If your thermostat isn’t hardwired but battery-powered, remove the cover and replace the old batteries with fresh ones to see if that helps resolve the issue.

• Wiring issues: Look for loose or damaged wiring that connects your thermostat to the AC unit, and contact Ricky Heath if you need assistance. 

• Wrong settings: Make sure your thermostat is set to “cool” mode, it’s turned on, and the temperature is at the correct setting.

• Non-working thermostat: In some cases, your thermostat might not work at all, which typically means it is broken and needs replacement. 

Clogged Air Filters

A dirty or clogged air filter restricts airflow and could be why your AC is not working. The best way to remedy this is to simply remove the dirty air filter and replace it with a new one. Here’s how a clogged air filter may affect your AC system:

• Restricts airflow: When your air filter is clogged, it restricts airflow and forces the system to work harder, causing it to use more energy and increase utility bills.

• Reduces cooling: Reduced airflow limits your AC’s ability to cool your home effectively because the AC is still blowing, but not cold air.

• Potential system malfunction: If your air filter is extremely clogged and you don’t replace it, this may eventually lead to AC system failure over time. 

Low or Leaking Refrigerant

Refrigerant is responsible for absorbing warm air inside your home and carrying it outside to be released. If you have low refrigerant levels or a leak, it may feel like your AC unit is running but not cooling the air. Here is why issues with refrigerant should always be handled by professionals:

• Refrigerant is complicated: Locating and fixing refrigerant leaks requires special skills, knowledge, and tools that only experienced professionals can handle.

• DIY is dangerous: Attempting to repair a refrigerant leak yourself may lead to further damage and could pose a safety hazard.

• Proper handling is important: Refrigerant is a hazardous substance that should only be handled by an experienced HVAC technician.

• Effective diagnosis: Only an HVAC professional can accurately locate and diagnose refrigerant issues and make the necessary repairs safely.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

If your air conditioning unit is not working, it may be due to frozen evaporator coils. However, this problem is often caused by other underlying issues. Here are some common causes of a frozen evaporator coil and what you can do to fix it:

• Dirty air filter: A dirty air filter restricts airflow and prevents the evaporator coil from absorbing heat, leading to freezing, so always make sure you have a clean air filter installed.

• Dirt and debris: Buildup on your evaporator coil can affect heat transfer and cause it to freeze. Schedule regular HVAC maintenance, including cleanings, to prevent this from occurring.

• Low refrigerant: If your refrigerant level is low, the evaporator coil may freeze. Checking levels and refilling the refrigerant as needed should remedy the issue.

• Blower fan issue: A malfunctioning blower fan can cause the evaporator coil to freeze, so call Ricky Heath for diagnosis and repair if you suspect your blower fan is broken. 

Compressor Issues

The compressor is an important component of your AC and it needs to work properly to produce cool air. Here are some reasons why you may have compressor issues and how to address them:

• Part failure: A damaged or failing compressor prevents your AC from producing cold air and should be repaired or replaced by a skilled HVAC technician.

• Refrigerant leak: If the AC refrigerant is leaking, the compressor can’t perform optimally. Turn off your AC and call us for help if you need a repair or refill.

• Dirty condenser coils: Dirt on your condenser coils restricts airflow and causes the compressor to overheat, so make sure the coils are clean and free of debris.

Dirty Condenser Unit

The condenser unit helps your AC cool your home efficiently. When it’s dirty or broken, it can’t do its job. If you can’t locate the condenser unit or don’t know how to clean it, contact us for assistance. Some reasons why a dirty condenser unit can cause your AC to stop cooling the house include:

• Reduction in heat transfer: A dirty condenser coil can’t transfer heat from the refrigerant to the outside air, which may cause your AC to blow warm air.

• Inefficient cooling: The reduction in heat transfer leads to less efficient cooling and causes your air conditioner to struggle to cool the indoor temperature.

• Higher energy consumption: A dirty condenser unit causes your AC to work harder to cool the house, resulting in higher energy consumption and more costly utility bills.

• Overheating: A dirty or clogged condenser may cause your air conditioner to overheat, leading to serious damage or a complete system failure.

Poor AC Maintenance

Regular preventative maintenance helps your air conditioner efficiently cool your home during the summer. There are many reasons why poor or no maintenance can lead to your AC not cooling the house:

• Lack of inspections: A trained HVAC technician will inspect your AC system during maintenance to find any issues early before they turn into costly repairs.

• No cleanings: Part of routine AC maintenance should include cleaning the evaporator coil and changing dirty air filters.

• Parts won’t be lubricated: Every type of home cooling system has a series of moving parts that require lubrication as part of a maintenance plan to keep them functioning properly.

• No testing or calibration: Most HVAC maintenance plans include testing and calibrating the thermostat and the AC system to identify and fix issues so your home stays comfortable and cool.

Contact Ricky Heath for AC Repair or Maintenance

If your AC isn’t cooling the house, the skilled team at Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling is available to diagnose and repair the issue. Our experienced HVAC technicians are familiar with the local climate and the needs of homeowners in Macon and the surrounding areas. Contact us for more information about our services or to schedule a speedy AC repair or maintenance.