Keep your home comfortable during hot summer temperatures by preparing your air conditioner well in advance. Regular maintenance will make sure it is able to circulate the cool air when you need it most. If the unit is faulty, it may not cool your home effectively, and AC replacement might be required. Here are some reasons your AC may fail to cool your home:
Dirty Air Filters
Dirty filters are a common cause of AC malfunctioning. Dust, dirt, pet hair, and pollen can accumulate on filters and clog them. Clogged filters restrict airflow through the AC, undermining its ability to cool your home. Dirty filters may interfere with the functioning of the outdoor condenser unit and indoor evaporator coil. The issue of dirty air filters is able to be addressed by cleaning them regularly and replacing excessively clogged ones.
Thermostat Issues
The thermostat controls the AC’s functioning. If it develops problems, it will affect its ability to cool your home. When the thermostat fails to work completely, the solution is to replace it. Thermostat issues are sometimes caused by incorrect settings.
During warmer seasons, if the AC blows warm air after you switch on the thermostat, turn it to the auto position. This will force the fan to circulate only conditioned air and keep the home comfortable. If the problem persists, change the batteries and operate the thermostat. If the problem continues after following these steps, you may need to seek the services of an HVAC technician.
Low Refrigerant Levels
The work of refrigerant is to absorb heat from indoor air and dispel it outside. This allows cooler air to flow into the house and lower the indoor temperatures. If the refrigerant leaks, it can reach low levels that make it difficult for the AC to cool your home. Low refrigerant levels will only draw a small amount of heat from the indoor air, causing your home to warm.
Low levels could be caused by the AC unit’s undercharging during installation. If your AC fails to cool the home as expected, check for signs such as hissing, ice buildup, and bubbling noises. These are indications that your AC’s refrigerant is leaking, and you should call a technician to fix the problem immediately.
Blocked Condenser Unit
Debris and dirt can accumulate and block the condenser unit, inhibiting its ability to facilitate the heat exchange process. When this happens, the AC unit will start blowing back warm air into the house instead of dispelling it. You can solve this problem by cleaning and removing debris from the condenser unit. Remove clogs from the condenser fins and use a form coil cleaner to clean the condenser. Remember to clear the space around the condenser unit to create sufficient airflow.
Faulty Compressor
The compressor increases the pressure of the refrigerant to facilitate the movement of heat outside the home. It circulates the refrigerant between the AC’s indoor and outdoor units. If the compressor is damaged, the entire AC system will fail to cool the home. Damage to the compressor may necessitate an entire AC replacement because it affects the entire unit.
Dirty or Frozen Coils
The function of coils is to remove heat and moisture from indoor air and facilitate the circulation of cooler air. If air filters fail to trap all dirt and contaminants, the debris is able to accumulate on the coils and cause problems. The accumulation of dirt and contaminants on the evaporator coils limits airflow and undermines the heat exchange process. This can cause moisture to cool and freeze over the coils. Frozen moisture will damage the evaporator coils and cause them to stop working.
Faulty Exterior Fan
The exterior fan of your AC unit releases hot air from your house to the outside. If the fan gets damaged, it will be unable to dissipate heat, which causes the compressor to overheat. This undermines the ability of the entire fan to cool the home effectively. Excessive overheating of the compressor can damage it and affect the entire AC unit. You should have an experienced technician fix a faulty fan immediately after you notice the problem to prevent the issue from damaging the entire unit.
Schedule Your AC Replacement Today
Several issues, including dirty air filters and thermostat issues, can undermine the AC’s ability to cool your home. While these issues can be addressed through regular maintenance, severe cases, such as damaged compressors, may require entire AC replacement. An experienced HVAC technician can inspect, service, or replace the entire AC if necessary. Reach out to a reputable residential cooling company today for maintenance and troubleshooting of your air conditioner.