REASONS WHY YOUR AC UNIT IS NOT COOLING
Dealing with a sweltering Birmingham summer without functioning air conditioning can be a nightmare. If you turn on your air conditioning unit and it is not cooling the house, you may be dealing with one of the following likely culprits.
CLOGGED AIR FILTERS
The number one reason why air conditioning units have issues is clogged filters. Dust, pollen, pet hair, and other pollutants can clog your filters.
A clogged air filter restricts airflow through your AC unit, preventing it from adequately cooling indoor air. When filters are clogged, they affect the functioning of your AC unit’s indoor evaporator and outdoor condenser coils.
Regular professional maintenance and following the manufacturer’s instructions when selecting a filter are the best ways to prevent cooling issues caused by clogged filters. Most manufacturers recommend that you have your filters changed once every three months. If you have pets and live in an area with a lot of dust, pollen, or high pollution concentrations, you may need to change your filters more often.
LOW OR LEAKING REFRIGERANT
Refrigerant is the chemical your air conditioning unit uses to transport indoor heat outdoors. Common refrigerant types include Puron and, less commonly, Freon.
If the refrigerant level in your air conditioner is low, the unit will struggle to cool your indoor space. Low refrigerant is caused by a system that was undercharged when the technicians installed it or by a leak in the system.
An air-conditioning leak is not something you want to try to repair yourself. Instead, trust our professionals at 3D Air Services, LLC to repair the leak promptly. An unresolved AC leak can harm people, animals, and the environment.
DIRTY OR FROZEN COILS
If you change your AC filters regularly, the evaporator coil should stay clean. However, since the evaporator and condenser coils are moist, they can attract gunk, including mildew and mold. This buildup will negatively impact their function. Dirty coils can freeze over, especially if the refrigerant level in the system is low.
The best way to prevent this is to have your AC unit professionally cleaned and maintained. During the annual maintenance process, our technicians from 3D Air Services, LLC will see to it that the unit’s coils and other essential parts are cleaned and in good repair.
AN AIR LEAK
Your home’s air conditioning unit might be working perfectly fine, but there could be an air leak in your home. Such a leak might happen when pests reside in your attic or your ductwork.
Air leaks can occur if new ductwork is improperly installed or older ductwork has been allowed to deteriorate with time. It is not uncommon for contractors working on a home to accidentally damage its ductwork.
Your air ducts distribute conditioned air throughout the home. Any leaks will reduce your AC unit’s efficiency in cooling your residence.
A DAMAGED COMPRESSOR
The compressor is central to your entire AC system. In the same way that your heart is responsible for circulating blood through your body, the AC unit’s compressor is responsible for circulating refrigerant between the evaporator and condenser coils. When the compressor does not work properly, your AC unit will not effectively cool your home or indoor space.
Sometimes, it seems that the compressor is not working, but in reality, smaller electrical parts that feed power to or control the compressor have failed. For example, your AC unit could have a bad capacitor or another part essential to the compressor’s operation.
Safety devices, like a float switch or a ceiling saver, can deactivate your condenser if your condensate drain is clogged. This safety function prevents water from leaking into your home and damaging ceilings and walls.
While it is possible to repair a damaged AC compressor, it is best to replace it in most cases. An air conditioning compressor is costly, and unless your unit is under warranty, it is almost always more cost-efficient to replace the condenser than fix it. Our technicians at 3D Air Services, LLC will be happy to look at a malfunctioning condenser and provide you with cost-effective, efficient replacement options.
ISSUES WITH THE EXTERIOR FAN MOTOR
The outside fan of your air conditioner, in conjunction with the condenser unit, takes the hot air from your home and blows it outside. With time and routine wear and tear, this outdoor fan can develop issues that will lead to your AC compressor overheating.
If the fan motor goes bad, it won’t run. Your air conditioner will overheat, and as a safety precaution, it will shut down.
THERMOSTAT ISSUES
Your thermostat controls the indoor air temperature of your home or office. If your thermostat doesn’t work correctly, it can affect your AC unit’s ability to cool the house. When a thermostat fails, the easiest solution is to replace it, possibly with a smart or programmable thermostat.
In other cases, the problem is caused by issues with your thermostat settings. For example, a person might accidentally switch the thermostat to “Heat” or “Fan” instead of “Cool.”
If your thermostat needs batteries, try replacing the old ones with new ones. Some modern thermostats need the occasional hard restart to function properly. This means completely disconnecting it from the power source and then turning it on again so it can reboot.
Another potential culprit is a thermostat placed directly in the sun or next to an electrical appliance that gives off a lot of heat. The extra heat can throw your AC unit into overdrive, leading to several cooling issues.
BLOCKED OR DIRTY REGISTERS
Like filters, your air conditioning registers can get dirty over time. Accumulated dust and particles will inhibit unrestricted airflow. Sometimes, homeowners unintentionally block their registers by putting furniture in front of or on top of them by mistake.
A blocked or dirty register means your AC unit must work harder to pull fresh air. Not only does this increase your energy bills, but it also decreases your AC unit’s effectiveness in keeping your home cool.
YOUR AIR CONDITIONER NEEDS MAINTENANCE
A common reason an air-conditioning unit may not cool an indoor space is that it has been poorly maintained. It can be easy to overlook AC maintenance if it is not scheduled. At 3D Air Services, LLC, we recommend that you have our technicians give your system a thorough checkup at least on an annual basis.
During the inspection, our technicians will address parts of the air conditioner you cannot see or reach easily. Thorough inspection and maintenance allow us to identify any minor problems and fix them before they become major repairs.
YOUR LOCAL HVAC RESOURCE IN BIRMINGHAM
At 3D Air Services, LLC, we want our customers to feel confident that they have made the right choice in selecting us for their HVAC needs. We are proud to be home to NATE-certified technicians who constantly receive ongoing education in the latest techniques and technologies.
Our services include HVAC repairs, maintenance, and installation. We offer duct cleaning, install whole-house generators, perform indoor air quality checks, and install systems to provide allergy relief. Besides that, we’ll put in a water heater for you. We look forward to helping you make your Birmingham home a comfortable place for you and your family. Contact us today at 3D Air Services, LLC with any questions you have.