There are few things worse than having your air conditioner break down in the middle of summer. When you get home, the last thing you want to discover is that your air conditioner isn’t blowing cold air.
We’ll look at the most common causes of your central air conditioner not blowing cold air in this article. Some of these reasons are simple and can be corrected right away to make your air conditioner blow cool air. Others, on the other hand, require the assistance of a professional HVAC technician to resolve the cool air issue. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
How Does a Central Air Conditioning System Function?
Understanding how your air conditioner works is the first step in determining when something is wrong with it. Liquid refrigerants are used in air conditioners. This liquid absorbs heat within your home by passing through the indoor evaporator coil. After absorbing heat, the liquid condenses into icy gas, and your air conditioner’s fan blows through these refrigerant-cooled coils. It circulates cold air throughout your home by pushing it through the duct.
The refrigerant’s gas form transports heat to the outdoor condenser unit, which converts to a liquid once the heat is released into the outdoor air. This cycle is repeated every day to keep your home cool. However, because there are so many steps involved in blowing cold air into your home, several things can go wrong and cause your AC to stop blowing cold air.
8 Top Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Blowing Cold Air
There are many reasons why your AC might not be blowing cold air. However, we’ve collected the eight most common reasons to help you troubleshoot your AC issues.
Leaking or Low Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant, also known as Freon, is a chemical coolant. It is required for your air conditioner to produce cool air. The refrigerant circulates through the outdoor and indoor coils, absorbing heat and humidity from inside your home and releasing it outside.
Coolants don’t usually go bad. As a result, if your air conditioner stops blowing cold air, there could be a refrigerant leak. Slow leaks can reduce refrigerant levels. As a result, it’s critical to inspect the lines and recharge the system before it can start blowing cold air again. Because of the complexity of most air conditioners and their cooling systems, this process should be performed by an HVAC professional.
Depending on the age of the unit and the amount of work required to repair it, upgrading may be the best option. If your air conditioner is more than a decade old and the repair is more expensive than you’re willing to pay, it’s time to invest in a new, dependable model. This is also the best option if your unit is constantly malfunctioning.
Dirty Air Filter Blocking Cool Air
The air filter for the unit is usually located inside the indoor air handler. Filters work all year to ensure that your home has cleaner airflow. Lint, hair, pollen, dust, and other airborne particles that enter the air handler unit are captured. Keeping the components of your air conditioning system clean improves the air that enters your home. As a result, it’s easy to get dirty and could cause an issue with your AC unit.
A clogged air filter will restrict airflow into your home and reduce the amount of heat that your air conditioner can absorb. It is possible that the central air conditioning unit will shut down as a result of this. When you notice that your air conditioner is not blowing cold air, locate the filter in your system, turn it off, and remove it. Then, inspect it to see if it is dirty and the source of your central air conditioner blowing warm air.
Filters that are clogged may also cause parts of the air conditioner to wear out quickly. It could also damage the condenser coil and evaporator, causing much larger problems. Every homeowner should perform routine maintenance on their HVAC system, including replacing clogged filters. When you’re certain it’s clean and you’re still getting warm indoor air, you should investigate other possible causes.
Evaporator Coil Issues
The evaporator coil could also be the source of your air conditioner’s problems. If you have a heat pump, the evaporator coil is located within the fan coil cabinet. While passing through the evaporator coil, heat energy and humidity are removed from the air. The following step is to circulate cool air throughout your home. The air filter in the system keeps the coil clean and operating efficiently. Even without dirty air filters, the coils wear out over time.
The coil is prone to mold and mildew problems due to constant moisture exposure. Even with low refrigerant levels in the air conditioner, an evaporator coil can freeze. However, problems with the evaporator coil can cause significant disruption to the central air conditioning unit. As a result, you should contact a professional HVAC technician as soon as possible.
Issues with the Condenser
Another reason your air conditioner may not be regulating the temperature in your home is a blocked or clogged condenser coil. A dirty condenser unit can reduce the energy efficiency of your system. It may prevent cool air from entering the registers, or it may cause compressor damage or system failure due to overuse.
The condenser fan of the air conditioner draws air into the outdoor unit via the condenser coil. With the air conditioner running, helps remove heat energy from the home. A clogged filter, on the other hand, may result in dirt, grass, and other airborne particles accumulating and blocking the coil.
To resolve the issue, try vacuuming the condenser coil with a brush attachment, brushing off debris, or gently rinsing it with a hose. However, if all of your efforts aren’t yielding results, it’s time to call in the professionals.
Clogged or Blocked Registers
Clogged registers are another possible cause of problems with your indoor unit. The return air register directs air into air conditioning systems, and the supply vents direct cold air into your home. Any of these clogs could cause problems with your air conditioner.
A clogged register, like a clogged air filter, can cause the same problems. A rip in the ductwork could also allow cold air to escape from your attic. This problem could be caused by mice or rats chewing on the ductwork in the attic. If something blocks the airflow near the AC vent, only the room with the vent will receive warm air. This could be an indication of duct ventilation issues.
It should also be noted that a vent can be accidentally closed. If you notice warm air in a room, make sure the supply vent is open. If you are unsure what to do, you can also contact an HVAC professional.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
The thermostat settings are sometimes the source of the problem. Your air conditioner will not turn on unless the room temperature is higher than the control setting. That is why you should double-check that your thermostat is properly set. AC units do not blow cold air when the thermostat is set to produce heat rather than cool.
Clogged Drain Pipe
Every cooling system includes a drainpipe for collecting excess moisture and humidity. However, algae and debris may begin to accumulate in the drain, preventing water from draining as it does in most pipes that are not constantly flushed. Although this is inconvenient, it is necessary to prevent filthy water from flowing back into your home through AC units. A licensed HVAC technician can quickly identify a clogged drainpipe and resolve the problem.
Power Issues
An initial power surge can occasionally blow a fuse or trip the breaker. When there is a power surge, try resetting your breaker and then restarting your air conditioner to see if this resolves the problem. Another cause of air conditioner problems could be power overload. Check to see if an overload switch is built in. Check the power cable to make sure you didn’t pull it out of the socket.
The bottom line
An air conditioner is intended to keep your home cool. As a result, when it doesn’t do this, it can be aggravating. Without cold air coming into your home during the summer, it can quickly become unbearably hot. One of the eight possibilities listed above could explain why your air conditioner isn’t blowing cold air into your home.
While some of these issues are simple to resolve, the majority necessitate the services of a professional HVAC technician to assess the situation and determine the best solution.
Chills on Wheels Heating & Air Contractors in Jacksonville, Florida, can assist you in reintroducing cool air into your home. We can perform a thorough inspection and stay on top of any problems your AC unit may be experiencing. Contact us today to learn how to get the cool air moving in your home again.