Why Your AC isn’t Blowing Cold Air and What to Do
It happens to everyone eventually. You’ve been spending your days in cool comfort and probably not given your air conditioning system a second thought until the day you realize your AC isn’t blowing cold air. This may well be every Floridian’s worst nightmare, particularly during the summer months!
There are several reasons an air conditioner isn’t blowing cold air and there are some common causes to check first before panicking:
1. The Thermostat is Set Incorrectly
Yes, it sounds silly, but it does happen. Double-check your thermostat and make sure it isn’t set to Heat.
If it’s set to COOL, check to see whether your thermostat set to AUTO or ON. If it’s set to ON, that means the fan will blow even when the air conditioner isn’t actually cooling. This causes your AC to blow warmer air out when the outside unit isn’t running. This might account for warmer air blowing temporarily, however, it should start blowing cool once the outside unit starts running again.
2. Airflow Is Restricted
A restriction of airflow to and from your air conditioner often results in not enough cool air coming out of the vents. Restricted airflow can also cause the compressor in your air conditioner’s outside unit to freeze up.
Typical causes:
- The air filter is clogged and in need of replacement
- You haven’t had maintenance done on your AC this year so the coils are dirty
Remove your filter and see if it’s covered with a thick layer of dust. If it is, replace the filter and see if the cool air flow returns. If your filter looks reasonably clean for it’s age, your coils may need cleaning.
3. Your Outside HVAC Unit Isn’t Getting Electricity
Your air conditioning system is made up of two main components — the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The indoor unit houses the fan that blows air through your home but it can only blow cool air if the outdoor unit is working.
If the air coming from your vents isn’t cool, the circuit breaker may have tripped. Check your circuit breaker and locate the switch that allows electricity to power your outside unit. If the circuit breaker was tripped by the unit, we recommend you call a professional as there could be a problem.
Other Possible Causes
You may have a problem with the outside unit or your air conditioner may be low on refrigerant. You may also have a return duct that is broken or disconnected and is pulling in air from outside or an attic space. These types of issues require the help of an HVAC professional.
Don’t wait to call in a professional if needed…the sooner your HVAC is working properly, the sooner you can enjoy being cool and comfortable again!