We rely on our air conditioners a lot in the summertime in St. Louis, and it can be frustrating when they aren’t doing their jobs. If your air conditioner is not cooling properly, there could be several things to blame. But don’t sweat, Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing is here to shed some light on some of the most common reasons air conditioners act up during the cooling season.
Common reasons for your air conditioner not cooling
Below are some common reasons that an air conditioner might not be cooling properly in your home. Keep in mind that if the problem isn’t listed here, there might be damage to some part of your cooling system, in which case you’ll want to call a professional contractor.
- No power. If your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be turning on at all, the first thing you’ll want to check is whether or not power is reaching the unit. You might have a blown fuse or a tripped circuit that is preventing it from working.
- Thermostat set too high. One common reason for an air conditioner not cooling is that your thermostat is simply set too high. Your unit won’t kick on until the temperature in your home breaches the temperature your thermostat is set at, so try lowering it by 5 degrees or so and see if it starts up.
- Dirty evaporator or condenser coils. If your air conditioner is turning on but you’re not receiving an adequate amount of cool air, you might have dirty evaporator or condenser coils. Evaporator and condenser coil cleaning is a part of air conditioner preventive maintenance, so you can avoid this problem by having your unit tuned up every year.
- Condenser blocked. If there is foliage or debris around your outdoor condenser, it might be preventing the unit from working properly. Check outside to see if anything is blocking the condenser and make sure to trim any foliage back at least 2 feet.
- Dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can reduce your air conditioner’s airflow and damage your unit, preventing it from properly cooling your home. Make sure to check and change your filter once a month.
- Incorrectly sized unit. It’s crucial to have an air conditioner that’s properly sized for your home. If your unit is too large or too small, it will often short cycle and won’t be able to cool your home when it gets too warm out.
If you have any questions about your air conditioner not cooling, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.