Lately, you’ve noticed that the temperature in your home has been a bit off.
You crank up your air conditioner, but it seems like nothing changes.
You’ve realized that your unit is, in fact, no longer blowing out any cool air at all.
Especially as the temperatures continue to climb, you fear a miserable summer where you’re hot both outside and inside of your home. You also don’t want to deal with an increase in your energy bills because you’re forced to turn your air conditioning all the way up — and still not experience the relief you need.
If your air conditioner is not blowing cold air, this post is here to help you to figure out why.
Learn some of the biggest reasons for a lack of cool air, as well as what you can do to solve this annoying issue.
Check Your Air Filters
The first thing you need to do if your AC isn’t blowing out cool air?
Check on your air filters.
In general, you should aim to switch out of clean your filter about once a month. However, if you live in a home with lots of pets, have severe allergies or children at home, or if you just live in a particularly polluted area, you may need to change it out more often than that.
Remember that your air conditioner’s filters exist to trap pet dander, allergens, dirt, and dust. This helps to improve your overall indoor air quality so that you can breathe easily at home. (This is especially key if you have older people or those with weaker immune systems living in your home.)
However, without proper maintenance, all that dust and dirt can block the airflow within your unit. This means that your AC can’t blow out any cold air, and that eventually, its coils may actually freeze over.
Of course, it also means higher energy bills, as your unit has to work twice as hard to even attempt to maintain a consistent temperature in your home. You should also consider investing in a higher-quality filter — and make sure that it’s consistent with the needs of your HVAC unit as a whole.
The Thermostat Could Be the Culprit
Another option for easy air conditioner fixes that you can definitely handle on your own?
Be sure to check out your thermostat (yes, sometimes it really is that easy.) In many cases, your AC stops blowing out cold air because it’s on an incorrect setting.
We suggest that you set the fan on “auto” to lower your energy bills and make certain that the fan is only on when your unit is in use. However, if you just have the unit set to “on,” this means that your unit will always be running — even if it’s not working.
If you’re especially guilty of leaving your unit on when you leave the house, consider trying an app that lets you control your thermostat from your smartphone.
The Outside Unit Could Be Clogged
If you have a broken air conditioner that’s not blowing cool air, we also suggest that you take a look at your outside unit.
In many cases, a clogged outdoor unit is what’s causing the issue — especially if you’ve had a pretty severe storm recently. Sometimes, a branch, lots of leaves, a bush, or even animal nests can block the unit.
Make sure that you remove everything that’s on the unit, and do a bit of tree and bush trimming while you’re at it. If possible, you should aim to have between 2-3 feet of space between any greenery and your outdoor AC unit.
You should also gently spray the outdoor unit with your garden hose to give it an extra clean.
When You Should Call an HVAC Professional
Here’s the thing: no matter how much of an avid DIYer you are, there are some air conditioner issues that you simply shouldn’t attempt to fix on your own.
In many cases, this is because it’s a safety issue. You also don’t want to run the risk of further damaging your AC unit, which can often mean greater expense and more time without cool air in your home.
So, which issues are best left to the professionals?
Read on to find out.
A Refrigerant Leak
One of the air conditioner fixes that requires an expert is a refrigerant leak.
The refrigerant is what’s actually responsible for cooling your home’s air. Especially if you have an older AC unit, normal wear and tear can often create pinholes through which the refrigerant can leak out.
This makes your home’s air feel much warmer.
Sure, you could add more refrigerant to the unit — but if you don’t know where those leaks are coming from, the issue will just end up repeating itself time and time again.
Plus, remember that refrigerant is dangerous for untrained homeowners to handle. Don’t out yourself or your family members at risk for refrigerant poisoning. Call in an expert instead.
A Leak in Your Air Duct
If your AC isn’t blowing cool air, there could also be a leak in your air duct.
Especially as your unit ages, your air ducts begin to get worn down. They lose their insulation and seal, meaning that the cool air leaks out of the unit before it has a chance to reach your home.
Because air duct leaks are something that usually only a professional is able to diagnose and pinpoint, let them take care of the job.
Filfthy Evaporator Coils
It’s not just your air conditioner’s filter that can get dirty.
In many cases, a problem with airflow is a result of dirty evaporator coils. These dirty coils have serious difficulty getting warm air out of the unit, which can quickly cause your unit to overheat.
Usually, an overheated unit breaks beyond repair. So, if you suspect that the problem lies with your unit’s evaporator coils, don’t put off getting in touch with a professional.
Examine the Circuit Breaker
An HVAC professional will also take a look at your circuit breaker.
Remember that your unit is actually comprised of two circuit breakers — the one on the inside and the one on the outside. So, even if your outdoor one is working perfectly, as long as there’s an issue with the indoor circuit breaker, your unit still won’t be able to blow out cool air.
Of course, most homeowners are able to reset their circuit breakers themselves.
However, especially if your circuit breaker keeps tripping over and over again, ask the professionals to see what’s going on.
It Could Simply Be Time for a Replacement
Of course, if your unit still doesn’t blow cool air even after an expert has taken a look at it, or if it’s experiencing several of these issues at the same time, it could be time for you to get a new AC unit.
It could be that the unit you initially purchased wasn’t actually the right size for your home or apartment. It could also just be normal wear and tear.
Make sure that you keep an ear out for strange smells and noises, along with frequent breakdowns.
Remember that the best way to keep your air conditioner going for as long as possible is to make regular maintenance a part of your routine. However, if the unit is over 15 years old, you’re likely due for a replacement.
There are tons of different brands and options to choose from, and an HVAC professional can give you the kind of advice you need to make the right choice for your home.
Need Professional Help Fixing Your Air Conditioner?
We hope that this post has helped you to understand the many reasons why your air conditioner isn’t currently blowing out any cool air.
While you can handle some fixes on your own, like checking the thermostat and clearing off the outdoor unit, some things truly are best left to the professionals.
Looking for experts who can help you to fix all of your HVAC issues?
Whether you have an issue with your furnace or your AC, we’re here to make sure you get the help that you need. We offer a wide variety of HVAC services, such as installation, commercial repair services, and even emergency services if there is a more serious issue at hand.
You don’t have to spend one more day suffering in the heat because of a broken air conditioner.
Instead, reach out to us to learn more about how we can help get your AC up and running again.