Air Conditioner Not Cooling? Here’s What You Should Troubleshoot
- susan4434
- Jul 6, 2021
- 8 min read
We are in the middle of summer, Northwest Arkansas, and now is not the time for your air conditioner to quit on you. However, your air conditioner is putting in long, hard days, and it is not uncommon for the unit to not work and to keep you comfortable during these hot days.
So how do you know if you have a serious problem with your air conditioner? This article will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot issues with your air conditioner. Before you call Air Control to check if you have a problem with your air conditioner that needs service, try the steps below.
Troubleshooting your air conditioner first means you may not need a technician to come to your home, saving you money and time. Then, if you still need help, you will be more informed about the issue. In the long run, following the steps below will give you a better understanding of the issue and help you decide with the technician what repairs are necessary to fix your AC.
Symptoms of a Troubled Air Conditioner
More than likely, you will know if your air conditioner is not working as well as it should. Whether it is not working or it is spitting out a meager amount of cool air, not feeling cool and comfortable can be miserable in the summer. Some common symptoms your air conditioner is not working as well as it should include:
The air is not blowing, or the AC is not turning on.
The AC is running for a long time or will not stop running (long-run cycles).
The air conditioner is running, but only for a short time. The AC may shut down for some time and then restart (short-run cycles).
The temperature inside the home is warm.
Air temperatures are not consistent. Sometimes your air will blow, but it is not cool air, and other times, cool air will blow.
Airflow is lower than usual.
The temperature reading on the thermostat is higher than it feels inside the home.
Higher than average energy bill
If you are experiencing any of the above, try to diagnosis the problem yourself before calling an air conditioner service.
Steps to Troubleshoot Air Conditioner Problems
Below are a few DIY steps you can do to troubleshoot problems with your air conditioner when it is not working or not cooling as well as it should. You may save time and money by following the steps below before you call an HVAC service.
Check the thermostat
Clean or change the air filters
Diagnosis electrical issues
Inspect the condenser unit
Monitor refrigerant levels
Inspect the evaporator coils
Check the Thermostat
The thermostat is the first place to go to troubleshoot problems with your AC. First, check these common reasons your thermostat may not be controlling your AC properly:
Check to see if your thermostat setting reads heating instead of cooling. By switching the setting to cooling, or auto, you may fix the issue with your air conditioner not cooling the home as well as it should.
Notice the thermostat setting. Is the thermostat set to “off”? If so, switch the setting to “auto” so the system only runs when needed. Is the setting set to “on”? If so, the AC will constantly run, making the unit work harder, even when the air does not need cooling. Switch the setting to “auto”, and your air conditioner may return to cooling the air only when it needs to.
Look at the temperature set on the thermostat. Sometimes, someone in the house can change the temperature to a higher level without letting anyone know. If this is the case, adjust the temperature back to a more comfortable level.
A thermostat equipped with a pre-set schedule will automatically adjust the temperature on the days and times you want. Check to see if the set temperatures and times are programmed correctly. Check that the thermostat setting is not set for “away” or “sleep” mode when you want the thermostat to be set at “home” or “awake”.
Are all doors and windows firmly closed? This step can often be easily overlooked and may be causing your thermostat to not regulate temperatures properly.
Another common reason a thermostat may not be working is that it has run out of power. If the thermostat reading is blank, it may be an electrical issue. First, check the circuit breaker to see if the electricity was not tripped. If your thermostat is still not showing a reading or the display is fading, changing the thermostat battery is a common DIY option that may fix the issue before you call for professional HVAC repair.
To replace the thermostat battery:
Pull the thermostat housing unit off the wall mount plate. If this is not easy, try sliding the housing unit up and then off the wall.
Locate the batteries on the back of the housing unit. You may need a flat-head screwdriver to pry open the battery removal slots.
Replace the batteries.
Replace the housing unit on the wall.
If you have a wireless controlled thermostat, these steps may be more complicated. In this case, contact your local HVAC service to help with the repair.
If you have checked your thermostat or replaced the batteries, and you believe the thermostat is working correctly, move on to the following troubleshooting steps to see if the issues you are experiencing with your air conditioner may be something else besides the thermostat.
Clean or Change the Air Filters
The air filters inside the home vents clean the air coming through the ductwork before the air blows into the home. When an air conditioner is not cleaned or maintained regularly, dirt accumulates in these air filters and clogs the airflow. Blocked airflow makes your air conditioner work harder to push air through.
Changing out air filters regularly to keep clean air moving freely through your home is the best way to maintain a healthy air conditioner. If you have not changed your air filters and are experiencing your air conditioner problems, try changing out the air filters. Once you replace the air filters, make sure your thermostat is set for a comfortable cooling temperature and see if this has fixed the issue.
After you change the air filters, check the air filter located inside the furnace cabinet. Some homes also have larger filters, electronic air cleaners or a whole-home air purifier located outside the furnace between the cabinet and return air duct. If these filters appear clogged or dirty, try replacing or cleaning first before calling an HVAC professional.
If you have changed your air filters, and are still experiencing issues, continue reading the following troubleshooting steps.
Diagnosis Electrical Issues
If you have recently experienced a power outage, an electrical issue may have caused your air conditioner problems. Locate the home electrical panel or breaker box, and notice if any circuits have been tripped or not in the “on” position. Some panels specifically mark the air conditioner. Make sure all circuits are in the “on” position.
There is also an electrical panel located close to the outside air conditioner condenser unit. Common air conditioner unit problems can occur if the unit has blown a fuse, there is faulty wiring or there is a tripped circuit breaker. However, because working with electricity is dangerous, we recommend calling an Air Control technician to come to the house and inspect all wiring or servicing any electrical issues. Some of the common electrical problems that require service include:
Loose or exposed wiring
Incorrect replacement parts installed
Dirty fuses
Failing capacitor
A short in the wiring
Inspect the Condensor Unit
Regularly maintaining and cleaning the outside AC unit, otherwise known as the condenser, is an essential step to keeping a healthy air conditioner that will last for a long time. Inspecting the condenser unit is the next step in troubleshooting issues with your air conditioner.
Remove any debris or objects from the condenser unit area. Removing dirt, debris and clutter will not only make it easier for you to inspect the condenser, but you also will not be spending more money on a service call if you have the HVAC technician spending their time cleaning the area.
If you have never cleaned or had your condenser cleaned and notice significant dirt buildup on the unit, call Air Control for professional cleaning. Again, you can prevent most air conditioner problems by regularly cleaning filters and the condenser unit. A clean AC unit allows air to flow freely through the system and prevents wear, tear and breakdowns from the AC forcing air through the system.
If you have cleaned your condenser unit and are still experiencing problems, you will need to call for HVAC service. Some common issues with a condenser unit include:
Broken fan motor (Often signified by a loud or strange noise coming from the condenser)
Faulty compressor
Failing run capacitor
Monitor Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is the chemical in your air conditioner system that allows cool air to release inside your home. The refrigerant flows throughout your AC system to pull heat from your home and releasing this heat outdoors.
Leaks or inadequate filling of refrigerant levels at installation or the last service can cause a low refrigerant level, also known as “undercharged”. If you notice your air conditioner is not cooling to the desired comfort level, a low refrigerant may be the culprit.
Unfortunately, a qualified HVAC technician is required to refill refrigerant levels. Refrigerant needs to be handled by a professional with training on dealing with this chemical properly. The AC technician can detect any leaks in the system that are causing the refrigerant levels to drop.
Inspect the Evaporator and Condenser Coils
If you have followed the troubleshooting steps above and are still experiencing issues, it is time to inspect the evaporator and condenser coils.
A typical reason air conditioners fail is a frozen evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is usually located inside the home or garage in the air handler unit. The coils are made of copper, steel or aluminum, and look like metal tubes in U-shapes. The evaporator coils absorb heat through the refrigerant.
The evaporator coil can freeze due to dust or dirt build-up, clogged air filters or low refrigerant levels. Although you may see a layer of frost or ice, checking the evaporator coils is not easily accessed. Usually, inspecting and fixing the evaporator coil requires a professional since it involves refrigerant levels, electrical work and cannot be easily inspected.
The outside condenser unit contains condensate lines that move excess water away from the unit. Although it is normal to see some moisture underneath the condenser unit, water should not flow out of or flood the drain pan. Excess water could signify broken condenser lines and a frozen condenser coil.
Usually, frozen condenser coils are caused by clogged pipes or other issues with the evaporator coils. Regular cleaning and maintenance can prevent these issues.
However, if you notice frozen condenser coils, you will want to turn off your HVAC system and call a professional AC service technician. This problem can cause system damage if left unfixed.
Before a technician makes a service call to inspect the condenser coils, you can clean up any excess water leaking from the system. Try using a hairdryer to melt the ice. Do not use a sharp tool to break the ice, as this may cause more damage to the condenser lines. Again, make sure your system is off before cleaning up any water.
Final Thoughts
If you have maintained and cleaned your air conditioner unit and changed your filters regularly since the unit was initially installed, you should not experience major issues with your air conditioner. But even with the most well-maintained system, minor repairs are still common.
An air conditioner can undergo stress if it works harder than usual, either because of high household demand, poor maintenance and cleaning or the unit is over 15-years old. If this is the case, a professional assessment may be needed, even if you have tried the DIY troubleshooting steps described in this article.
If you require a service call, contact Air Control of Northwest Arkansas. Our qualified, insured and background-checked employees will be able to professionally diagnosis any issues you are experiencing with your air conditioner.
Air Control also provides a routine maintenance plan through a Tommy’s Club membership. It includes seasonal check-ups and cleaning of your HVAC system. Air Control also offers a routine air filter change-out service. This regular maintenance and cleaning will prevent most major air conditioner problems.
Contact Air Control today if you cannot get your air conditioner working or are interested in regular maintenance for your system.
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