A/C (2024)

FAQs

Why is my AC unit not pushing enough air? ›

Lots of things can cause your blower to have trouble, especially if it gets too dirty. A fan clogged by dirt, a stuck wheel, broken motor, or a loose fan belt are all common problems that reduce the amount of airflow you feel coming from your vents.

One possible reason your AC is not reaching the set temperature is that the thermostat could be dirty. If dirt, dust, or other debris has accumulated within the thermostat box, it can cause the wires to heat up or other issues. Thermostats are cleaned during routine HVAC maintenance to help prevent this from happening.

You might be low on refrigerant or have a worn-out motor or a dirty evaporator coil. Not all AC problems demonstrate themselves with loud sounds or funny odors coming from your system. Some of them simply reduce the AC's ability to run, and all you notice is less cool air in the house.

Some common blower issues that reduce airflow include: A dirty or clogged blower wheel. A malfunction with the blower motor. A problem with the blower motor capacitor.

To resolve weak airflow issues, it is recommended to: check and replace air filters regularly. clear any obstructions near vents or registers. inspect and maintain the blower motor.

If your AC unit has a reset button on the condenser unit, you simply press it and hope that the problem resolves. Look for it first around on the exterior of your machine, especially along the bottom edge near the ground. An AC's reset button is typically red and visible, so it should be easy to spot.

A bad thermostat can be detected when your AC or furnace is not turning on, your HVAC systems are not turning off, the thermostat not responding, your HVAC system is short-cycling, the room temperature not matching the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and the programmed setting resetting themselves.

Some of the most common thermostat issues include: The thermostat is broken, not properly level, or dusty. The thermostat needs to be recalibrated. There is loose wiring causing a thermostat issue.

If your AC can't get your home below 75 degrees, it might be too small for the area it is trying to cool. Undersized ACs can't lower the thermostat temperature beyond a specific limit. That's why matching your AC's BTU rating to the room size is essential.

So if your AC is getting warmer, you probably need to take care of the airflow. One of the ways is to make sure the air filter is clean. If you find it clogged with debris, clean it with a brush. A popular cause behind an AC that is not cooling is the deficiency of refrigerant or Freon.

Should I turn off AC if it's not cooling? ›

If your AC isn't cooling (but is on and blowing warm air), it's best to turn it off and take the time to troubleshoot what's causing the problem. Refrigerant leaks (also called Freon leaks) can cause an air conditioner to not cool properly and can be hazardous to your health or cause refrigerant poisoning.

If your air conditioner isn't keeping up with the heat, your air filter may be to blame. A dirty air filter can obstruct the airflow path through the unit. Using a dirty air filter can also cause less energy efficiency and more costly utility bills.

Change your filter – Dirty filters are often the culprit of poor AC performance. It adds resistance and reduces airflow. Make sure outside condenser coil is clean – clear of cottonwood and other debris. Clean out condensate drain lines – make sure they are clear of debris.

There are many causes of low suction pressure, including low indoor temperature, dirty filters, restricted ducts, undersized ducts, closed dampers, frosted coils, restricted refrigerant line, restricted piston, restricted strainer, and bad indoor evaporator motor. The list of reasons for this is extensive.

The blower motor resistor is prone to shorts, corrosion, and overheating. When the resistor fails, typically, the highest setting is the only option that still functions. This is because the air from the blower motor is bypassing the resistor, thus gaining the maximum amount of voltage, resulting in full power.