Top Reasons Your AC Is Running But Not Cooling
One of the most frustrating problems you may experience with your air conditioner is that it seems to be running, but it’s not adequately cooling your home. There are a few different reasons this may take place. Below, we’ll address some of these reasons and help you to diagnose and potentially fix the issue with your system.
Clogged Filter
One of the most common culprits behind inadequate cooling is a clogged air filter. The air filter in your system is great for protecting the internal components from getting covered with unwanted debris. However, as the filter does its job of collecting debris, it will eventually get too full and create a wall-like barrier inside your ductwork.
You can easily check your air filter by pulling it out of the housing in your return ducting and holding it up to a light. If you can’t see through the filter because it’s too dirty, it’s time to replace it with a new one. It’s a good rule of thumb to generally check your filter at least once a month and replace it about every two to three months.
Low Refrigerant
Another culprit behind this issue is a low refrigerant level in your system. Refrigerant is responsible for absorbing heat from inside your home and dispersing it to the air outdoors. If there isn’t enough refrigerant charge inside your air conditioner, it will struggle to adequately remove enough heat from inside your home. This will leave your home feeling hot and uncomfortable.
If you suspect that refrigerant is the reason for your AC malfunction, you’ll need to contact one of our professionals to further assess the issue. We’ll be able to recharge the refrigerant level to restore the functionality of your system. We’ll also be able to identify where the refrigerant is leaking out and repair that issue to prevent future issues.
Frozen Coils
There are two different coils in your air conditioning system. There is one in the indoor air handler unit called the evaporator coil and one in the outdoor condenser unit called the condenser coil. As your air conditioning system runs, refrigerant flows through these coils to absorb and release heat.
Unfortunately, if there’s a malfunction with your system, the refrigerant inside the coils can get extremely cold as it’s not absorbing heat. This can cause an ice buildup on the coil that will further prevent it from adequately cooling your home. The reason behind the frozen coil could be excessive grime on the coil surface that won’t allow heat to transfer through to the refrigerant. Alternatively, it could be the result of a low refrigerant level inside the coil.
It’s best to shut your system off and allow the ice on the surface of the coils to naturally thaw out. You’ll want to check the coils to see if they need to be cleaned with a specialized cleaning solution to remove the stuck-on grime. If the coils are clean, it’s best to call one of our AC repair technicians to further assess the issue and likely recharge your system’s refrigerant level.
Thermostat Setting
If you notice that your air conditioning system seems to be cooling your home one minute and then blowing hot air the next, you likely have your thermostat set wrong. All thermostats will allow you to set the blower fan to on, auto, or off. When you set the blower fan to auto, it runs when your air conditioning system turns on and then shuts off when it’s not running.
Unfortunately, if you have your blower fan set to on, it will run nonstop. This means the blower fan will distribute cold air that the air conditioner produces. However, it will also recirculate air throughout your home when your air conditioner isn’t running. This will give off a lukewarm feel to the air instead of a nice cool feeling when your air conditioner is running. Fortunately, this is an easy fix because all you need to do is switch your blower fan from on to auto.
Condenser Unit Malfunction
It’s important to remember that there are two components that make up your air conditioning system: the indoor air handler unit and the outdoor condenser unit. If there’s a malfunction with your outdoor condenser unit, your indoor air handler unit is still going to run and blow air throughout your ducting.
It’s best to inspect your outdoor condenser unit to see if there’s any debris around it. If there are leaves, branches, and even shrubbery within a 3-foot radius of your condenser unit, they could restrict the airflow from the unit. This makes it more challenging for the condenser unit to release enough heat from the refrigerant to adequately cool your home.
You’ll want to clear away any debris to ensure that the unit can function optimally. If you don’t hear the unit running, check its disconnect box. The outdoor condenser unit has its own subpanel box that can be turned on and off. If it’s off, the indoor air handler unit will continue to run and blow air but the outdoor condenser unit won’t be able to cool it. If your subpanel box is off, simply turn it back on.
Leaky Ductwork
Another reason your home air conditioner may be running but not really cooling your home is that your ductwork has too many leaks in it. Aged ductwork can develop leaks over time as the metal material naturally expands and contracts with the change in temperature. As the joints loosen up, cold air that your air conditioner produces can escape into the wall and floor cavities of your home instead of actually making it to all the different rooms in your home.
In some cases, the leaky ductwork may be near the indoor air handler unit, where the majority of your cold air is being lost at that location. In other cases, you may notice that the rooms in your home that are closest to the indoor handler unit will stay cool, but the ones farthest away won’t. This indicates an expansive problem with your ductwork. It’s best to call one of our professionals to do a thorough inspection of your ducting and repair it as necessary.
Seeking Out Professional Repair Service
As with any air conditioning problem, it’s imperative to address it promptly. You can start by going over the items above to see if you can solve the issue by yourself. If none of the solutions work for your situation, it’s best to call us for quick repair service.
You never want to continue to run your AC unit, as it’s likely to lead to more damage that will be more expensive to repair. Additionally, when you call us for repair service, you can rest assured that we can do warranty repair work, so that you’re not paying out of pocket if necessary.
Professional AC Repair Service
Reynolds Electric, Plumbing, Heating and Air offers professional AC services for the Eugene, OR community. We’re the local experts for all your air conditioning installation, replacement, and maintenance needs.
Contact our office today to schedule your next service consultation with one of our experienced HVAC technicians.
Jeremy Reynolds
Since 1964, three generations of Reynoldses have been providing electrical services in Oregon. Current owner.Jeremy Reynolds’ ambitions led to an early aptitude in the electrical field, and he has continued to grow the company.
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