As the Summer approaches, thoughts turn to making sure your Richmond home is ready to keep you and any visitors comfortable as temperatures rise. Few things are more frustrating than when your air conditioner is running but fails to provide any cooling relief from the heat. It’s easy to get flustered when you’re sweating through your clothes, but there’s no need to panic. There are a few common reasons why an AC runs but doesn’t cool the home. Some of these causes can be addressed without calling local AC repair services. Here’s a rundown of the main reasons why your air conditioning unit is running, but not cooling, and what you can do to improve the situation.
1. The Thermostat Settings Are Off
Your thermostat should be the first thing you check if you feel your home is warmer than it should be. If it isn’t set up properly, then it may be blowing air around the space without changing the temperature at all. If the display is blank, unresponsive, or flashing, that means it isn’t communicating properly with the AC. A faulty thermostat may also be the result of dying batteries. It can also be because it’s installed near a window, vent, or heat source, throwing off the calibration of temperature readings. After changing the settings or batteries, give the system a few minutes to see if anything changes.
2. Dirty Air Filters
The air filter quality helps helps protect the equipment in your home. When they get clogged with dust and other airborne particles, they also restrict the airflow. This makes it harder to cool your home in the summer. Dirty filters also force your system to work harder, decreasing its efficiency and raising your energy bills. This is an issue most homeowners can address on their own. To try fixing it, locate your system’s air filter. You may likely find them at the return vent or the indoor unit. Inspect it to see if it looks overly dusty. Generally speaking, air filters should be replaced every couple of months to keep your air quality high.
3. Blocked Condenser Unit
Most central AC systems come with an outside condenser unit responsible for releasing heat from inside your home. If the unit is obstructed by dirt or other debris, then the hot air can’t go anywhere, and your house gets more humid. Extreme cases can shut down the entire system altogether. Clear away debris to give the condenser unit at least 2 feet of space and gently clean the coils with a brush or a hose on a low setting. Remember to turn off the power to the unit before cleaning the mechanical parts.
4. Frozen Evaporator Coils
Refrigerant is the chemical that flows through your system to absorb heat from the air and cool your home. If your AC has low refrigerant levels, then there’s little your system can do to operate as intended. Those with a DIY spirit can inspect their coils by removing the front panel of their indoor unit and look for ice or frost. If the coils are frozen, then shut off the unit to help them thaw more quickly.
5. Low Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is the chemical that flows through your system to absorb heat from the air and cool your home. Without enough of it in the unit, an AC runs but doesn’t cool properly. When this happens, then there’s little your system can do to operate as intended. Signs of this include hissing noises from refrigerant lines or ice buildup on the indoor unit. Also, low refrigerant levels can mean there are leaks that need a certified HVAC technician to fix.
6. Capacitor Issues
Capacitors may be small, but they are vital to starting the compressor and fan motors in climate control units. Once they start to malfunction, your unit will struggle to produce cold air, leaving you with an AC that runs but doesn’t cool your home. Capacitor problems become more common as units age, particularly in extreme heat.
7. Undersized Cooling Unit
In some instances, it’s not about any singular component of an AC unit – it’s the entire system itself. Undersized AC systems can offer some cooling, but they are unable to impact the entire space, which can become a problem at the peak of a Richmond summer. This issue is more likely to arise in older homes where the AC unit was added after construction or when additions to the property increase the load on the system. In situations like this, licensed professionals can either add a ductless unit to support the existing AC or replace the entire system.
Get Help When Your AC Runs but Doesn’t Cool
Regular maintenance goes a long way in mitigating the chances of major AC problems affecting your home and ensures that your system consistently works. But some issues are best left to professional HVAC teams. Capital City Comfort Solutions prides itself on rectifying cooling issues of the greater Richmond community with an unbeatable combination of modern technology and a dedication to treating each customer like family members.
If your AC system is underperforming or you want to get it serviced before the summer heat sets in, contact Capital City Comfort today.