Why Is My AC Not Cooling My House?

During hot summers, your air conditioner’s primary purpose is to keep your house cool and comfortable. However, just like any other appliance in your home, air conditioners have many working parts that can malfunction.

When the AC unit is not completing the cooling process, your home can feel warm, humid, and uncomfortable. If you’re experiencing issues with your AC, and it’s not cooling the house, then it’s time to call in the help of an HVAC professional who can get to the root of the problem.

Continue reading for common reasons your air conditioner may not be cooling down your home and ways heating and cooling professionals can help.

How Does an AC Unit Work?

An air conditioner has many different parts that all need to work correctly in order to cool down a house. Some of these parts include the evaporator coil, air filter, condenser fan, copper refrigerant tubing, indoor and outdoor condenser unit, and more.

To put it simply, a central air conditioning system works by converting warm indoor air into cooled air using refrigerant. The heat from inside your home gets pulled into the condenser unit before going over refrigerant lines and the evaporator coil to cool the air.

Finally, the indoor condenser unit has a fan that pushes the freshly cooled air throughout the registers and vents in the house to your desired temperature.

With all of these various parts, it’s not uncommon for something to malfunction, causing the entire system to work incorrectly.

Common Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Attention

It’s not difficult to spot if your home’s air conditioning system is experiencing any issues. There are plenty of other signs your air conditioner may be experiencing problems in addition to your central air conditioner blowing warm air. Here is a comprehensive list of signs your AC system requires professional attention.

• Air conditioner not cooling to the accurate temperature setting
• Higher than usual energy bills
• Lack of proper air flow
• Hot air coming from vents
• Hissing sounds coming from the indoor unit or outdoor unit 
• Water pooling or condensation near ac units 
• Excess moisture near registers

See Related Artices:
Why Is My AC Making Strange Noises?
9 Reasons Why AC Won’t Turn On

Reasons Your AC May Not Be Creating Cool Air

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, why is my ac not cooling below 75, or not cooling the house at all? This is because there are many working components in air conditioning systems. Therefore, any of the following reasons may be the culprit as to why your central AC is not adequately cooling.

The smartest option is to let a professional AC service inspect your air conditioner to fully assess your AC system for whatever is causing the lack of cold air.

Dirty Air Filter

One common reason your air conditioner isn’t properly cooling your home is that you have a dirty filter. The job of the air filter is to get rid of dust, debris, mold, allergens, and other airborne particles from the air before the air conditioner begins blowing cold air back into the home.

When the system’s air filter experiences a build-up of this debris, it prevents the air conditioner from having the proper airflow and blowing air. Instead, these clogs are drawing heat energy and making your AC work harder.

Plus, a dirty air filter can create poor indoor air quality.

Wrong Size AC Unit

While it may seem simple, if your unit is too small for the square footage of your home, then your air conditioner may not cool down the indoor air enough. Check with a professional to ensure your air conditioner is big enough for your home.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

If your AC is not blowing cold air, you may have a problem with the evaporator coil. Sometimes the condenser coil freezes due to a problem with refrigerant flow. If an outdoor coil freezes, then it can’t absorb heat from the outdoor systems and can prevent cold air blowing, instead pushing hot air through the AC system.

Clogged Coils

Clogged condenser coils or evaporator coils occur when the coils are dirty or caked in debris. If you have a clogged condenser coil or indoor evaporator coil, it can stop the process of cooling, preventing air from cooling down.

Low Refrigerant

Refrigerant leaks are another common culprit for your air conditioner not cooling. The refrigerant is responsible for cooling down warmer air; if you have a refrigerant leak, your air conditioner is running without the proper additive that helps to cool down the air to your desired indoor temperature.

Problem With Heat Pump System

If you have a heat pump instead of central AC, you should speak with an HVAC professional because heat pumps use different types of heat energy to cool down the home.

Sometimes, these pumps and their parts freeze if the temperatures are low enough, leaving homeowners to check their systems once it warms up.

Damaged Blower Fan

A damaged blower fan is another common cause of why your AC is not cooling enough. If the fan coil cabinet has damages, it cannot properly blow cool air through the rest of the system.

Thermostat Settings

Finally, it’s important to check your thermostat settings to ensure your indoor air handler unit matches your thermostat’s temperature. Your home may not be cooling appropriately because your thermostat needs new batteries or needs replacement.

Get Cold Air All Summer Long By Opting for an AC Tune-Up

The best way to ensure your AC is cooling the house is to get regular tune-ups and maintenance from professionals. These services ensure your AC and all of its components are working efficiently to keep your home comfortable and cool.

Choose Professional HVAC Technicians for Your Home

When air conditioners are not cooling enough, lack adequate air flow, or a compressor malfunctions, residents trust the reliable technicians at Smart Heating and Air Conditioning.

Let our HVAC technicians provide detailed evaluations of your AC system to guarantee a well-functioning air conditioner all season long.