Why Your Air Conditioner is Not Cooling
Now that winter is coming to an end, temperatures are finally going to begin going back up. Of course, this means that you will no doubt begin using your air conditioner. Odds are it’s been a while since you’ve used your air conditioner, which means you might be surprised if it doesn’t work the way you remembered.
Potential Problems with Your Air Conditioner
If your air conditioner is not cooling your home as effectively as it once did, it could be the result of one of these problems:
- Your air filter needs to be changed – The purpose of an air filter is to help preserve the quality of your indoor air. However, if it’s not regularly changed or cleaned, then dust, dirt, and debris will build up, eventually blocking the flow of air, which makes it more difficult for your air conditioner to cool your home properly.
- There’s a refrigerant leak – In order to properly cool your home, heat has to be removed from it. The refrigerant is what allows this process to occur. If your air conditioner unit has a refrigerant leak, then it will be difficult to cool your home. Because refrigerant is a substance that can pose a serious health hazard, it’s important that you have this problem addressed by a professional HVAC technician as soon as possible.
- The cooling coils are dirty – All air conditioner units make use of indoor and outdoor coils that help absorb heat from your home’s air and transfer that heat outdoors. The heat that’s being absorbed by the indoor coils will have difficulty transferring them to the outdoor coils if the coils are dirty. If the air coming through your home’s registers is warmer than normal, then there’s a chance that this is the problem. Fortunately, cleaning the coils isn’t that difficult.
- The condenser unit is blocked – If something is blocking your condenser unit outside, such as bushes or plants, then it may not be able to receive enough air to release heat from its condenser coils. Make sure that the area around your outdoor condenser unit is clear so that it can properly remove heat from your home.
- The thermostat is faulty – In some cases, the inability to cool your home effectively may not be an issue with your air conditioner but a problem with your thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, then the temperature settings you’re inputting may not be reaching your air conditioner. A professional HVAC technician will be able to identify if your thermostat lies at the source of your cooling problems. If it is, repairs or replacement may be necessary.
- There’s an issue with the compressor – The compressor is one of the most important parts. If it’s not working properly, your air conditioner won’t be able to cool your home successfully.
- Your air conditioner is getting too old – Once an air conditioner reaches a certain age, it will begin to work less effectively. This is just a result of the general wear and tear that an air conditioner experiences throughout its lifetime. Once an air conditioner is 10 to 15 years old, it may be time to replace it.
These are just a few issues that could cause your air conditioner to stop cooling your home effectively.
Schedule an AC Inspection in Fenton, MO Today
Even if your air conditioner seems to be working properly, it’s a good idea to have it inspected before summer begins. Because that is when you’ll begin to depend on it more heavily. If you’re having trouble with the air conditioner in your Fenton home, be sure to contact us at Metro Heating & Cooling by calling 314-845-5900 or contact us online to schedule an air conditioner inspection in Fenton, MO today!