If you live in a place like Florida that’s warm year-round, discovering that your air conditioner is not blowing cold air can be a distressing realization. To get your home’s climate under control again, you’ll want to figure out how to fix the problem as soon as possible. But, what is causing your air conditioner not to blow cold air? Is there something you can do about it, or do you need to call a professional for help?
7 Reasons Your AC Is Not Blowing Cold Air When Running
If your AC is turned on and you’ve noticed that it’s not blowing cold air, it may be due to a variety of reasons. These can range from easy fixes to complex problems that require an HVAC technician. Some of the most common ones include:
1. Thermostat Settings
If your AC is running but there is no cold air circulating, the first thing to check is your thermostat settings. Make sure the fan is turned to Auto rather than to On. If the fan is simply set to On, it will run constantly, regardless of whether your unit is running a cooling cycle. The Auto setting makes sure that the fan only runs during cooling cycles, which will ensure that it blows cool air. If your settings are configured to Auto and your system is still not blowing cool air, you may have a more serious problem.
2. Dirty Air Filters
A large number of AC problems can be traced back to dirty air filters. If you aren’t changing your air filters at regular intervals, excessive dirt and debris can collect on them, restricting airflow throughout your system. Low airflow gives your system less air to cool and hinders its ability to send cool air throughout your home. It can also cause water to freeze on your evaporator coils, which will prevent your air conditioner from creating cool air to begin with.
3. Broken Fan or Fan Motor
Your AC unit has two fans: an outdoor condenser fan that’s responsible for removing warm air from your system and an indoor blower fan that circulates the cool, conditioned air throughout your home. If either fan is broken or malfunctions, it can cause your system not to blow cold air. Most commonly — as wear and tear takes place on your unit — your outdoor fan can go out due to a bad capacitor or other motor problems. If your air conditioner is on and your condenser fan isn’t spinning, you’ve probably found the source of your cooling woes.
4. Refrigerant Leak
Air conditioner refrigerant works in a closed system, so if everything is healthy there is generally no need for refills. However, parts can become damaged, and leaks can occur. Insufficient refrigerant will keep your system from cooling the air and can even cause refrigerant poisoning if the issue is not resolved quickly. EPA regulations require that a certified HVAC professional handle the purchasing and refiling of refrigerant in your system.
5. Broken or Malfunctioning Compressor
Located inside the outdoor (condenser) unit, the job of your air conditioner’s compressor is to circulate refrigerated air throughout your system. If your compressor has gone bad, it will need to be repaired or replaced before your system can blow cold air again.
6. Damaged Ductwork
Faulty or damaged ductwork can cause warm air to leak into your system or cold air to leak out. Even a perfectly healthy AC unit will struggle cooling a home if the ductwork is damaged. If you suspect your air ducts are the root of your cooling problems, contact an HVAC professional to inspect and service your ductwork.
7. Condenser Unit Needs Cleaning
Like any piece of outdoor equipment, your AC condenser unit can become dirty or obstructed by landscaping such as tree branches, tall grass, and shrubbery that may be growing around it. If too much debris or growth develops inside or against your condenser unit, it will need a thorough cleaning. Some of this can be done yourself, but in more extreme cases, it may be necessary to call a licensed technician.
Improve Your Indoor Air Quality with Colman Air
If you’re concerned about your home’s indoor air quality, contact Colman Heating & Air right away! Our experienced team of HVAC professionals has solutions to ensure that your home air is healthy all year long. Call today and begin improving your home’s indoor air quality.
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