From 2001 to 2010, at least 28,000 hospitalizations in 20 US states were due to heat illnesses. These include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and the most dangerous of all: heat strokes. On top of these are the more minor, yet painful heat rashes and sunburns.
Because of these dangers, the Hudson, OH Government has issued heat preparedness guidelines. After all, heat-related illnesses are entirely preventable. If you feel too warm, then you only need to stay in a cool spot, like your air-conditioned home.
Still, problems like the air conditioning not cooling properly are quite common. If you encounter this issue, you should address it right away before your home gets too hot.
Fortunately, not all ACs that lack cooling power require significant repairs. However, you need to act fast as delaying even minor fixes can make the issue worse.
We’ve listed some of the common reasons for non-cooling ACs (and their possible fixes) below, so be sure to read on!
Clogged Filters
The primary purpose of an AC filter is to reduce the amount of dust, dirt, and debris that enters the unit. It captures these polluting and contaminating particles from the air. As a result, cleaner air passes through the air conditioner’s interior components.
Because the filter is much like the equipment’s first line of “defense,” it will get clogged up over time. How long depends on your location’s air quality.
Unfortunately, many areas of Ohio have excessive amounts of air pollutants. Cincinnati, for instance, had 119 days of high levels of ozone or particulate matter in 2016. While Cincy is far from Hudson, its polluted air can travel far and wide to affect other cities.
Other activities, like cooking or smoking inside the home, can also affect air quality. The same goes if you have pets, as their shed fur can also block HVAC filters.
Either way, letting the air conditioner filter get too dirty will inhibit airflow to the unit. This reduction can then result in your AC not cooling your home fast enough.
Worse, the clog can become so big that no air can already pass through it! If your air conditioner is working but not cooling at all, you likely have an extremely filthy filter.
With all that said, the first thing to check is your air conditioner’s filtering device. You may just have to wash or replace it to get your AC up and running again. More than that, a clean filter can help you cut your cooler’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%!
Busted Thermostat
Every air conditioner comes with a thermostat. Thermostats are devices that allow AC owners to control indoor temperature. If you have a separate heating system, then that unit also has its very own thermostat.
In your AC, its the thermostat that lets you increase or reduce the unit’s “cooling” power. As such, problems with this device can result in cooling deficiencies.
One example is if the device can no longer accurately read the temperature in your home. In this case, it may think that your house is cool enough, when it fact, it’s not. These inaccurate readings will affect its cooling cycles.
A shorter cooling cycle means that the AC isn’t pumping enough cold air into your home. So, that’s one likely answer to your question, “why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house?”
However, you don’t want a longer cooling cycle either, as this can speed up AC wear and tear.
Fortunately, many thermostat-related problems trace back to old batteries. Check yours as you may only have to replace them.
If the problem persists, then it may be time for a replacement thermostat.
Icy Evaporator Coil
Your air conditioner has an interior component called the “evaporator coil.” This part contains the chemical that you likely know as “Freon” or as “refrigerant.” The coil itself is cold, maintaining an average temperature of about 40° F.
The refrigerant makes it possible for the evaporator coil to absorb heat. When warm air enters your AC, the cold coil takes in all that heat. This is how air conditioners convert hot air into cold, conditioned air.
Unfortunately, the evaporator coil can become all iced-up. In this case, the evaporator coil can no longer do its job of absorbing heat from incoming air. As a result, the AC may either cool weakly or not provide any cold air at all.
Since the coil is an interior component, you may not be able to detect frozen issues with it right away. However, you may notice that your air conditioner is dripping or leaking water.
In this case, you likely have iced-up coils. It would be in your (and your AC’s) best interest not to conduct DIY repairs. A good enough reason is that the problem may be due to refrigerant leaks.
Instead of risking it, get in touch with your friendly Hudson HVAC specialists. These professionals are experts when it comes to the safe handling of HVAC systems.
Refrigerant Leaks
Frozen evaporator coils are often a result of refrigerant leaks. Insufficient levels of refrigerant can also cause the coil to become super cold. So much so that the moisture in the air can already freeze.
Refrigerant leaks can also make your AC produce a high-pitched whistling noise. You may also hear buzzing sounds similar to those produced by extreme vibration.
If your AC isn’t cooling your home and you also notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to give the pros a call.
Keep in mind that refrigerant is a chemical, and exposure to it can result in poisoning symptoms. Even limited physical contact with the substance can already cause burns. Inhaling small amounts can irritate your airway and lung tissues.
Get That Air Conditioning Not Cooling Your Home Fixed Now
There you have it, everything you need to know about why your air conditioner may be failing to cool your home. Try giving its filter some TLC or replacing your thermostat’s batteries. These easy DIY tricks may be enough to make your AC work again.
Still having issues with the air conditioning not cooling your home correctly? If so, then know that our team here at My Guys can come to your rescue! Please get in touch with us now, and we’ll be happy to deliver all your HVAC service needs in Hudson, OH.
