What to Do When an Air Conditioner isn’t Blowing Cold Air!
With the Australian summer months approaching us, all we know is that it gets hot and harsh, with the scorching sun draining all of your energy while you are outside. But the last thing you want to see on a hot sunny day would be your air conditioner not blowing cold air. Such a situation can significantly impact mood and productivity.
There could be several reasons why your air conditioner is not blowing cold air but running, and we are going to list down the most common ones we have encountered.
However, one point to note is that while it is always good to have a handful of knowledge of why your air conditioner’s acting the way it is, let a professional HVAC service provider fix the issues.
We have curated an informative blog on why your air conditioner is not blowing cold air but running and what to do in such a situation. Let’s go through it.
Why Your Air Conditioner Is Not Blowing Cold Air?
A faulty thermostat is the most common issue because some people change thermostat settings without even realizing it. In this case, change the settings to the lowest to check if the unit turns on. However, if the settings seem okay, check for the batteries and wiring.
The Filters are Clogged
Some air conditioners automatically shut down cooling if the filters are congested or clogged. The feature is built-in to prevent damage from overheating. All year long, filters trap dust, dirt, and pollen, causing filters to get clogged and blocking the airflow.
You can fix the issues by cleaning them with a soft brush and gentle soap water or replacing them. To avoid clogged filters in the future, always schedule routine maintenance checkups and servicing.
The Refrigerant is Leaking
If your air conditioner is not blowing air but running, one reason could be the leakage of the refrigerant, which is a gas that drives the entire air conditioning process.
A leak not only reduces cooling with time but also leads to other issues in your home, such as increased levels of humidity.
If you suspect any changes in the temperature, you should call HVAC experts right away because this is one of the issues to be handled only by a professional hand.
The Power Supply is Irregular
Sometimes the issue is just basic such as irregular power supply. Make sure that the air conditioner is plugged into the outlet and the power cord is not damaged.
The Condenser is Dirty
It is a similar problem to dirty or clogged filters. The outdoor unit of your aircon is a condenser. When a condenser is covered with dust buildup and debris, it can hinder the aircon’s performance. The good news is that you can clean your unit’s condenser at home using soapy water and a soft brush. All you have to do is be gentle.
Maintenance is the Key
You can avoid most of the issues listed above by doing just one simple thing – scheduling maintenance slots on a regular basis. Air conditioner maintenance keeps track of minor issues that can be fixed before causing a major problem.
Surrey Air is here to help; we provide comprehensive inspection and maintenance services to domestic and commercial clients across Melbourne.
Following are some of the steps you can take before calling out professionals.
1. Is Your Thermostat Set Correctly?
Often the thermostat is the problem behind an uncooperative central air conditioning system.
If your thermostat is set at a higher threshold, it might not actually be turning on. For example, if it’s 24°C, and your air conditioner temperature setting is 28°C.
It might also not be cooling if it’s on the ‘Auto’ setting instead of ‘On’.
At this point, you’ll have to do a little investigating. First: have you made sure the air conditioner shut-off switch (located in the shut-off box) is flipped? Have you checked the breakers to make sure nothing has tripped?
Once you’ve established that, you should reset your thermostat, and program the temperature to a few degrees cooler than the house so that you’ll be able to test the AC system.
For example, set it for 20°C if your home is registering as 25°C. This way you’ll be able to notice a change.
It will take a few minutes to feel any cool air, so don’t panic if you don’t notice it right away.
Once you’ve waited, stick your hand over the vents to see if you can feel the cold air coming from the central air conditioner. Chances are a simple reset was all you needed.
If you still don’t feel any cold air, there could be an internal wiring problem, causing the malfunction. In this case, consult a professional about the next steps.
Find out about the perfect temperature to set your air conditioner during the summer.
2. Have You Been Changing Your Filter?
You might not think your filter contributes to your AC not blowing cold air, but it does.
If you haven’t been regularly checking and changing your air filter, it’s most likely your ac unit has a dirty air filter that is now extremely clogged.
A central air conditioning unit with a clogged filter will restrict airflow into your home and cause damage to other parts ac units, like the evaporator coil. This means that you won’t only notice a lack of cold air, but probably a little more dust and overall stuffiness due to airborne particles not being filtered out.
We recommend checking your filter every 30 days, and changing/cleaning it as needed.
3. Is Your Condenser Dirty?
The outdoor part of your air conditioner is called a condenser. When dirt and debris get in there, it interferes with the process.
Your air conditioner will have to work much harder to pull in the air and cool it. It’s very similar to the problem you’ll experience with a clogged filter.
Luckily, cleaning up your outdoor condenser unit is something you can do on your own – but you have to be very careful not to bend or break anything.
We recommend using soap and water to gently wipe away the dirt. You can also use a hose with gentle pressure.
To minimize dirt and debris in the future, invest in a good weatherproof cover for when your air conditioner is not in use. You should also keep the area around the condenser weeded, trimmed, and clear of overhanging branches and other plants.
We’ve got more tips on landscaping around your air conditioner here >
4. Are There Mechanical Problems?
Air conditioners experience normal wear and tear over time, like most things. This means it may experience a mechanical issue at some point during its life. Knowing how your AC works can be a good place to start when figuring out what mechanical issues might exist.
If your air conditioner isn’t operating as usual (or at all), or if your ac isn’t running as long as it should and you’ve checked your thermostat and filter, you should contact us immediately to examine the inner workings of your system.
5. Is There a Refrigerant Leak?
Refrigerant is cycled between the outdoor and indoor air conditioner units, compressing and expanding as it does. You should never have to replace it, or top it off because it never runs out.
But when a refrigerant leak occurs, there’s not enough of it to effectively absorb heat. You’ll therefore notice a decrease in cool air.
There are a few ways to identify a refrigerant leak:
- You’ll hear a hissing noise while your air conditioner is on.
- If it’s still blowing cold air, it will take an extremely long time to cool your home, causing your air conditioner to run for much longer periods of time.
If you find a leak or suspect you have one but aren’t sure where to look, stop using your air conditioner right away and get in touch with us. You should not leave your air conditioner running if you suspect an issue- an HVAC professional will handle the issue for you.
Important: If you do have a refrigerant leak, you should not try to fix it yourself. This repair process takes specialized training, and should always be left to professionals.
6. Have You Had Your Annual Maintenance?
Many homeowners think annual maintenance isn’t necessary.
These are the same homeowners who wind up with surprise breakdowns, costly repairs, and no air conditioner on the hottest days of the year. And in the GTA, that’s pretty much every day from mid-June to late September.
7. Is Your AC the Right Size?
An air conditioner that is too big or too small will wear out your air conditioner, and cause a whole bunch of problems. This includes no cold air.
Unfortunately, this is an issue that will continue unless you replace your air conditioner. If this is an option for you, we can help make sure you get the right air conditioner the first time.
If replacing your ac unit is not possible at this time, talk to us about setting up regular maintenance appointments. We might not be able to completely solve your problem, but we can do our best to keep you cool and comfortable.
8. Is There a Leak in Your Ductwork?
This is a little harder to diagnose but could be costing you both cold air and money.
A leak in the ductwork means that the cold air is being filtered out into the walls before it reaches the vents. Hence not letting the air conditioner be blowing any cold air. A leak in the ductwork means that the cold air is being filtered out into the walls before it reaches the vents. It also means the same is happening to your heat in the winter.
9. Air Conditioner Is Freezing Up
While air conditioners are meant to cool your house down, they aren’t meant to freeze or have ice and frost buildup. An AC unit freezing up can mean your clogged filter caused a dirty coil (which means the frozen evaporator coil can’t absorb any heat), the condensate line is blocked, low refrigerant or your thermostat settings are wrong- Either set too low, or the outdoor air is too cold.
