My Air Conditioner is Running but Not Cooling
Is your air conditioner running but not lowering the temperature in your home? If so, below is a list of possible culprits that you can check yourself before calling an HVAC technician. Some of these you can fix yourself, others you will need to consult a professional.
Thermostat
It might seem too simple, but always start with checking the thermostat. An adjustment could have been made without you knowing and the fix is as quick as a setting change.
Filter
A dirty filter can wreak havoc on an air conditioner. Not only will it obstruct airflow, but it will inhibit the unit from doing its only job and not clean the air before it runs through the unit. This will make the rest of the components dirty and could cause your coils to freeze. If your filter is dirty, replace it or clean it and test your air conditioner.
Evaporator coil
The evaporator coil in your AC unit absorbs the heat and any humidity evaporates from these coils. Sometimes this humidity accumulates and freezes on the coils. As mentioned above, frozen coils could be caused by a dirty filter, but that is not always the case. If your AC is running but not cooling the air, turn off the unit and check to see if the coils are frozen. If so, you will need to call an HVAC technician for a repair.
Condenser
Central air conditioners have an outdoor unit called a condenser. The condenser contains coils with closely spaced fins, making it easy for dirt and debris to build up and clog the coils. This will cause your unit to work much harder than usual to cool your home, and—if it’s bad enough—inhibit the unit from creating cold air and possibly shutdown. You can gently clean the condenser yourself with a vacuum or hose. If your air conditioner is still struggling to create cool air, call an HVAC professional.
Leaking Refrigerant
In order for the refrigerant in your air conditioner to absorb heat and cool the air, it transitions from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid and back to a low-pressure gas. If there is a refrigerant leak or the refrigerant is too low, this causes a drop in pressure allowing the refrigerant to expand more than usual and become too cold, resulting in a freeze-up and your unit will not be able to create cool air. If there is a refrigerant leak, an HVAC expert can help you fix this but may recommend investing in a new air conditioner.
Is your air conditioner running but not cooling? Grand Home Services in Aurora is here to help. We provide air conditioner maintenance, cleaning, repair, and replacement services throughout the Denver Metro Area. Call us or contact us online today!
Is an Annual AC Tune-Up Necessary?
You may hear your HVAC technician mention an air conditioner tune-up and wonder if it is even necessary. Air conditioners run just fine without annual tune-ups, and your unit(s) thus far have been just fine without them. So, is an AC tune-up really necessary?
The short answer is no—AC tune-ups are not absolutely necessary, but they are encouraged. No, your air conditioner will not burst into flames if you do not get an annual tune-up, but if you have the means to get a tune-up annually or even every few years, we strongly recommend doing so. There’s a reason this service exists in the first place, and all reliable HVAC companies offer the service.
Here are the most important reasons annual AC tune-ups are encouraged and even exist.
Saves You Money
A tune-up ensures your unit is clean and free of necessary repairs. This ensures it runs at peak efficiency, saving you money on your monthly cooling bill. Regular tune-ups also prolong the lifespan of your air conditioner. A poorly maintained unit that only gets repairs when necessary will certainly not live as long as a unit that gets regular tune-ups.
Preventative Care
Just like going to the dentist for a cleaning, AC tune-ups are a form of preventative care. During a tune-up, HVAC technicians clean the unit, check for necessary repairs, and get your air conditioner in the best condition possible before it runs for months on end. Having a technician look at your unit before it starts running consistently will prevent a broken part from causing more problems and repairs further down the road. A tune-up could even prevent a repair altogether.
Safeguarding Your Warranty
Several popular AC manufacturers—including Lennox and Trane—make it clear you need regular maintenance by an HVAC professional to retain the warranty. Without this regular maintenance, the manufacturer has the right to deny you a part replacement, forcing you to pay for the part and service out of pocket.
No, AC tune-ups are not absolutely necessary, but they are sure to save you money in the long run. If you are in the Denver Metro Area, Grand Home Services in Aurora would be happy to provide you with an air conditioner tune-up. Click here to learn more about our tune-up service, and call us or contact us online to get started!
