We’re right in the middle of summer, and our air conditioners are working hard to keep us comfortable indoors.
Wait, what’s that? Yours isn’t cooling as it should?
This is understandably a frustrating problem—when an air conditioner is failing to do the very job it was designed for. There can be a number of different reasons for this to occur, some more serious than others. Keep reading to learn why your air conditioner may be struggling, and what to do about it.
A Clogged Air Filter
“Wait,” you may ask, “isn’t an air filter used to protect my indoor air? Why would it cause my air conditioner to stop cooling my air?”
Well, because an air filter’s actual purpose is to prevent particles from getting through and pummeling the interior components of your HVAC system—it’s not there to protect your indoor air quality.
What happens is your air conditioner pulls hot air from your home and expels it outside. If the air filter is too clogged up though, it can’t pull out all that hot air. As a result, it stays in your home and even though cooled air may come in, it’s inefficient and can feel like your AC isn’t cooling the home at all.
A Thermostat Problem
Sometimes, an air conditioner problem isn’t a problem at all, but instead a problem with a miscalibrated thermostat. Check yours to see if it’s reading correctly. Also, check that you have it at the right temperature setting.
Another member of your household may have accidentally (or purposefully, if they have different cooling preferences than you) set it to a higher thermostat. So even though you may not feel as cool as you wish, it may simply be due to a thermostat setting.
Broken Condenser Fan
This is a more serious problem that will definitely require a professional to repair. The outdoor unit of your air conditioner houses this fan, and it’s responsible for drawing in outdoor air.
That airflow goes over the condenser coil so heat can be released outside. If the fan is malfunctioning or broken, then no heat can be released, and as a result, the refrigerant can’t cool down and the AC system can’t do its job.
Failed Compressor Motor
The compressor is essentially the heart of your air conditioner. Even if the fan within your AC system’s air handler is working just fine, if the compressor isn’t functioning (due to something like failed capacitors or a failed motor) then you can’t expect your air conditioner to actually cool your home.
Our service professionals will check on the problem, but if your compressor has burnt out then it will need to be replaced. Replacing the compressor usually means replacing the whole air conditioner, considering what an important role the compressor plays in the air conditioner’s functionality.
If you’ve checked on your thermostat and air filter and determined they are not the problem, please turn off your air conditioner to prevent further damage and contact our pros for repairs ASAP!
For quality AC repair from Your Comfort Specialists in Maumee, OH, contact AW Heating & Cooling today!