...insulation plays a critical role in keeping your home comfortable year-round. During the colder months, insulation helps to keep heat from escaping through your walls and roof, which means your HVAC system won't have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
AC Repair: What to Do If Your AC Is Not Cooling
As temperatures rise during the summer months, a working air conditioning unit becomes essential for keeping your home comfortable. But what do you do when your AC is not cooling? If your AC is not cooling, it can cause discomfort and frustration. Not to mention, it can lead to higher energy bills if the unit is working harder than it should be. In this article, we’ll go over some common reasons why your AC may not be cooling and what steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem. By following these steps, you can potentially fix the issue yourself or know when it’s time to call a professional HVAC technician.
Troubleshooting AC Unit
When your AC is not cooling, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem. Here are some of the things you can do:
Check the Air Filters
Dirty or incorrect air filters can have a significant impact on your AC system’s performance and efficiency. Air filters are responsible for removing dust, dirt, and other debris from the air that flows through your AC unit. When these filters become dirty or clogged, they restrict airflow, which makes your AC system work harder to circulate air and maintain the desired temperature.
This not only increases your energy bills but also puts extra strain on your AC system’s components, such as the blower motor and compressor, which can lead to breakdowns and expensive repairs. To avoid these issues, it’s important to regularly check and replace your air filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. By doing so, you can keep your AC system running smoothly, improve its energy efficiency, and extend its lifespan.
Check the Thermostat
A faulty thermostat can have a significant impact on your AC system’s performance and cooling capabilities. The thermostat is responsible for controlling the temperature settings of your AC unit, so if it’s not working properly, it can cause your AC system to either not cool or to overcool your space. For example, if your thermostat is not calibrated correctly, it may think the room is at the desired temperature when it’s actually much warmer, causing your AC system to shut off prematurely.
On the other hand, if your thermostat is not functioning at all, your AC system may continue to run indefinitely, even when the room has already reached the desired temperature. This not only wastes energy and drives up your energy bills but also puts extra strain on your AC system’s components, leading to potential breakdowns and costly repairs. If you suspect that your thermostat is not working correctly, it’s important to have it checked and potentially replaced by a professional HVAC technician to ensure that your AC system operates effectively and efficiently.
Check the Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is a vital component of your AC system that is responsible for absorbing heat from your indoor space and releasing it outside. When your AC system’s refrigerant levels are too low, your unit may struggle to cool your space effectively. This is because low refrigerant levels result in reduced heat absorption capacity, making your AC system less efficient and requiring it to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. Additionally, low refrigerant levels can cause your AC system’s components, such as the compressor, to overwork, leading to potential damage or breakdowns.
In addition, low refrigerant levels are often indicative of a refrigerant leak in your system, which can cause even more problems. To avoid these issues, it’s important to have your refrigerant levels checked by a professional HVAC technician regularly. If your refrigerant levels are low, the technician can repair any leaks and recharge your refrigerant levels to ensure that your AC system is operating at optimal performance levels. By maintaining proper refrigerant levels, you can ensure that your AC system operates efficiently, cools your space effectively, and avoids costly repairs and breakdowns.
Check the Condenser
The condenser is a critical component of your AC system that is responsible for releasing the heat absorbed from your indoor space to the outside. When your condenser becomes blocked, it cannot release heat effectively, leading to decreased cooling efficiency and potential system breakdowns. The most common cause of a blocked condenser is a buildup of dirt, debris, or other foreign objects that restrict airflow. When the condenser is blocked, the compressor has to work harder to circulate refrigerant and remove heat from your indoor space, causing it to wear out more quickly and leading to potential breakdowns.
Additionally, a blocked condenser can cause your AC system to freeze up or produce warm air, even when you’ve set the temperature to cool. To prevent these issues, it’s important to have your AC system’s condenser checked and cleaned regularly by a professional HVAC technician. By maintaining a clean and unobstructed condenser, you can ensure that your AC system operates efficiently, cools your space effectively, and avoids costly repairs and breakdowns.
Call a Professional HVAC Technician
If you’ve performed basic troubleshooting steps on your AC system and it’s still not cooling properly, it’s time to call in a professional HVAC technician. While there are several common issues that homeowners can diagnose and address on their own, more complex problems require the expertise of a trained technician. A professional HVAC technician has the knowledge and experience to identify the root cause of the problem and recommend the best course of action to repair it.
Attempting to fix complex AC problems on your own can often result in further damage or even dangerous situations, such as refrigerant leaks or electrical hazards. By calling in a professional, you can ensure that your AC system is repaired safely and effectively, avoiding potential risks and minimizing the likelihood of costly breakdowns in the future. Additionally, a trained technician can perform routine maintenance on your AC system to ensure that it operates efficiently and extends its lifespan. So if you’re experiencing AC problems that basic troubleshooting can’t solve, don’t hesitate to call a professional HVAC technician to get your system back up and running at optimal performance levels.
AC Repair and Air Conditioning Repair
A properly functioning air conditioning unit is essential for staying comfortable during the summer months. If your AC is not cooling, there are several possible causes, including dirty air filters, low refrigerant levels, a faulty compressor, a blocked condenser, or a faulty thermostat. By following the above steps, you can troubleshoot the problem and potentially fix it yourself. However, if the problem persists, it’s important to call a professional HVAC technician to properly diagnose and repair your AC unit. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.