4 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Cooling

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Alright, it’s August and you’re sweating like nobody’s business. You’ve set the thermostat, but you’re certain that your house isn’t cooling. Not only that, but your utility bill was through the roof this month and your air conditioner seems to be running constantly.

Does any of this sound familiar? Keep reading.

There are a few reasons that could explain why your air conditioning unit isn’t cooling properly.

#1 Blocked Air Condenser

The wind is notorious for blowing all kinds of junk into our yards. Leaves, trash, dirt, and grass clippings will occasionally build up and clog up the coil of your outdoor air condenser. This leads to your cooling unit having to work extra hard to cool your home. In extreme cases, the air conditioner might experience a total system shutdown.

Here’s the good news: Blocked air condensers are often something you can fix on your own.

Turn off your A/C unit and put on some clothes you don’t mind getting messy. We recommend gently clearing away debris with gloved hands and rinsing gently with the hose. If you need something with a little more power, it might be time to bring out the vacuum. If you decide to try out your vacuum, make sure to use a brush attachment and be VERY careful.

Still no luck? That’s when it’s time to call a pro.

#2 Dirty Air Filter

The indoor component of your air conditioning system likely has an air filter. If it does, you should keep on top of regularly replacing the filter. The frequency of how often you should change it depends on the type of filter, but generally, you’re looking at replacing it every 3 months.

Not swapping out your air filter can lead to serious consequences and can become hazardous to your family’s safety. One potential consequence of a dirty air filter is that your unit can’t cool down your home.

Think about: Your filter’s job is to catch any airborne junk before it can flow into the unit, but that airflow is needed for a reason. Without proper airflow, your air conditioner will overheat and so will your home.

Take a quick peek at your filter and ask yourself when you changed it last.

#3 Frozen Evaporator Coil

Your AC unit will have an evaporator coil. This coil is crucial to maintaining the perfect temperature in your home, so if it gets frozen you may find your house won’t cool down (ironic, we know).

Here are a few things that can lead to a frozen evaporator coil:

  1. Lack of airflow (like a blocked air condenser or dirty air filter… wink, wink)
  2. The evaporator coil is dirty which means it can’t properly absorb heat
  3. Low refrigerant (keep reading to learn more!)

If you suspect that your air conditioning system has a frozen evaporator coil, it’s best to contact a professional for a visit.

#4 Refrigerant Leak

There’s a chemical called refrigerant that runs throughout all the coil of your cooling unit. Here’s the thing: your refrigerant will never become “low” unless there’s something wrong. Your air conditioning system is not designed to lose refrigerant as a part of its process.

Leaks can spring for several reasons, such as:

  • Defects in the unit
  • Improper installation
  • Corrosion or normal wear & tear

Refrigerant leaks should never be taken lightly. If you notice pools of water near your unit or hissing sounds, contact a professional immediately.

Contact the Trane team if your air conditioning unit won’t cool down. We can help.

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