It’s a scorching summer’s day, and you’ve been out shopping. You’re eagerly looking forward to getting home and blasting yourself with cold air from your AC, but there’s a problem. You turn it on only to find it’s blowing hot air in your face. You wonder, “Why is my AC not blowing cold air at all?”
It’s a frustrating situation. Somehow, AC problems always seem to occur on the hottest days.
Let’s take a look at the seven most common causes of faulty AC that you can check before calling the repair company.
How Your AC Works
Before we look at the most likely culprits, it’s a good idea to understand the basics of how your air conditioner works in order to answer the question, “Why is my AC not blowing cold air?”
Your AC uses a refrigerant to absorb and release heat. Inside the home, the refrigerant absorbs heat and changes from a gas to a liquid. The compressor sends the hot refrigerant outside to the condenser coils, where a blower (fan) releases the heat.Now cooled down, the refrigerant returns inside as a gas, where another blower moves air across the evaporator coils and through vents or registers. This cycle repeats until the desired temperature is reached.
Why Is My AC Not Blowing Cold Air? Answered:
7 Reasons Why Your AC Isn’t Blowing Cold Air
Now you have a better understanding of the components of an AC, let’s explore the seven most common reasons for AC faults:
1. AC Unit/Heat Pump is Set to Heating Mode
Yes, sometimes it happens. Maybe the family dog stepped on the remote, or maybe the seasons have only just changed. Either way, your AC might be set to heating mode.
Look for the little sun or ice icon. If it’s on the sun, change it to cooling mode and see if that does the trick.
2. Dirty Filters
Filters catch dust and debris and prevent them from entering the home. If they’re clogged, less cool air can get through.
Regularly check and replace your filters both for your family’s health and to keep the cold air flowing. It’s a quick and easy fix and might save you a lot of hassle.
3. Faulty Thermostat
If your thermostat is either not communicating with the AC unit or sending an incorrect temperature reading, your AC won’t be able to cool your home properly.
Ensure the thermostat is set to the right temperature. Often, a recalibration or battery replacement (if it’s a remote thermostat) can rectify issues with your thermostat.
4. Leaking Refrigerant
Refrigerant is the most critical part of your AC. If there is a leak, the refrigerant cannot retain the correct state (low or high pressure) and cannot absorb and dissipate heat.
If you suspect a leak, this issue will need a professional touch as handling refrigerant requires proper safety handling and containment.
5. Blocked Registers or Vents
Sometimes, the issue can be as simple as a blocked vent or register. If your AC system has multiple registers around the home, then check that none are obstructed or blocked by furniture or objects that have been placed inside them.
6. Compressor Issues
The compressor is responsible for compressing and pumping refrigerant in AC units, and if it isn’t working, heat cannot be dissipated from the system. An easy way to know if the compressor isn’t working is if no noise is coming from the motor.
If your AC is blowing hot air and isn’t making much sound beyond the fan, it could be the compressor at fault.
7. Evaporator Coil/Condenser Problems
The blower and evaporator/condenser coils are responsible for heat exchange in your AC unit. These can wear out over time, and if no other issues have been found, these may just be your culprit.
Regular maintenance can prolong their life, but if they’re already causing problems, it’s time to call in the professionals.
Time to Call the Professionals? Confident Comfort Is Your Go-To Solution
AC woes can be a real summer bummer, but with some troubleshooting and regular maintenance, you can keep your cool.
If you’re still wondering “why is my AC not blowing cold air?” after checking these 7 possible causes, you might need to call in the professionals. Confident Comfort is your AC and HVAC installation specialist in the Flagstaff area, so get in touch today and see how we can help keep your home cool this summer, and warm in winter.