Air conditioners are essential cooling appliances in today’s world of hot summers. Without these cooling devices, we would be subjected to days, weeks, and even months of unbearably hot temperatures. Air conditioners are reasonably priced, and many are affordable even for those who live in tiny homes or apartments. They are easy to use, clean, and quiet, making them an essential cooling appliance.
But sometimes, these units might malfunction because of a couple of things. Many probably wondered to themselves, “Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling?” It’s a good question, and it only takes a moment of thinking for you to realize that your system is not working correctly. As a matter of fact, in many cases, it is running but not efficiently cooling the space. So, what is wrong? Many things might be causing this problem. Here are several potential causes for your air conditioner’s failure to cool your house:
OVERLOADING
One possible reason why your air conditioner is not cooling your home is that it may be overloading. Overloading can occur when an air conditioner attempts to do too much work. The unit can shut down, and in the meantime, you could be left without cool air in your home. If you find yourself with a problem with your unit overloading, lower the thermostat and reconnect the supply units. This is often the simplest solution to this kind of issue. You can also eliminate energy-hungry appliances that could be causing your system to work harder than it needs to.
DUCTWORK
Problems in the ductwork in your home are another one of the main reasons why your air conditioning unit starts to run poorly. If there is a problem in this part of your HVAC unit, it could result in poor indoor air quality and health risks for you and your family. If this is not taken care of, your air conditioner could start to leak, which would then result in your unit working harder than it should.
Also, the ducts inside your home might be blocked. Professional air conditioning contractors can clear these ducts to improve the efficiency of your cooling unit. If you suspect that your air conditioner may be leaking, you should call a repair company immediately. These technicians will be able to find any leak and correct it for you.
They can also change your filters and replace them with ones designed to block harmful allergens. They can also replace the heating element so that your air conditioning unit can work properly. Having the ductwork professionally inspected can help you save money on air conditioning repairs since the professional can check all of the pipes in the unit and the ducts.
REFRIGERANT ISSUES
One of the more common problems that people experience with their air conditioners is that the refrigerant is leaking. Leaks can occur for several reasons. If you find that the leak has caused the entire air conditioner to stop working, then you will need to take action before the unit breaks down completely. You should turn off the power to the unit and may want to consider calling a maintenance specialist to come and fix the issue for you. He will give you some tips on what you should do and what you should avoid when trying to solve this problem with your air conditioner. You may also need to replace some parts of the unit if impacted by the leak.
The refrigerant level in your unit will also need to be checked. This can be done on your own or by having someone else do this for you. You should know where your refrigerant is located so that you can refill it properly when needed. If you are using a gas unit, you will need to have the gas cap checked. This is because the coolant may be leaking onto the gas lines from the compressor, and a new one should be put in if this is the case.
DIRTY COILS
Over time, air conditioner coils can get dirty because of build-up deposits, which can cause them to become overworked. When this happens, the coils will not work as efficiently as they should, resulting in your air conditioner not cool as efficiently as it should. Cleaning them out periodically can help you prevent this problem from arising. It is a good idea to schedule an inspection with an industry professional to do this, so you can have your evaporator coils inspected regularly.
BLOCKED VENTS
If you find that your AC is not working correctly, it’s likely because you have blocked vents in your home. I am sure you have experienced one of the many symptoms of having a blocked air vent, including stuffy and smelly rooms, chills, and more. You feel like you are not only missing out on what air conditioning is supposed to do for you but also the luxury of cooling down in the comfort of your own home during the summer months.
In some cases, vents can become so clogged that ducts inside the home have become damaged. This means there is no longer a good path for the air to take through your home. It can cause your air conditioning unit to work harder to cool off your home, which will eventually lead to your AC breaking down. Your best option to fix this problem is to hire professionals who can check your vents to see what is blocking them. They will ensure that your air vents get cleaned, repaired, and restored for your AC to work correctly again.
LET A PROFESSIONAL HANDLE THE JOB
If these things mentioned above are one of the reasons why your air conditioning unit is not operating efficiently, you should consider replacing it or hiring a reputable air conditioning contractor like Northside Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC. Our professional technicians can check your unit to determine what is causing the issue. We can also recommend a maintenance plan for your air conditioning system; contact us!