Why Is an Air Conditioner Not Cooling?

Refrigerant leaks, indicated by hissing, odd smells, and ice buildup, cause insufficient cooling and should be fixed by a heating and air specialist.

Cooling and heating services are essential at certain times of the year, particularly in the summer and winter. If an air conditioner is not cooling properly, this problem could affect comfort and daily routines.

This post discusses the possible reasons an air conditioner isn’t cooling properly.

Underpowered air conditioner unit

There are many types of air conditioner units, each in different sizes with varying cooling powers. Normally, air conditioners can cool rooms to a certain degree, but there are times when they cannot adequately cool a space due to unrecognized factors. Typically, before purchasing an air conditioner unit, a local heating and air repair and installation expert might express concerns if the unit is not ideal for the intended room or area. Knowing this beforehand can save time and help homeowners choose a more suitable cooling unit.

If the room to be cooled is too large for the air conditioner unit, it will struggle to cool the entire space, lacking the necessary capacity. It is important to ensure that the cooling capacity of the air conditioner unit is proportionate to the size of the area it will cool.

Another reason an air conditioner unit might not cool properly is if it is simply too hot in the room or outside. Checking if a home has inadequate insulation or poor energy efficiency is worthwhile. It is also possible that the local climate is simply too hot for the air conditioner to handle. In either case, the air conditioner unit will strain itself trying to achieve the desired indoor temperature. To ensure the correct size and type of air conditioner for a home, consulting a trusted heating and air repair and installation specialist prior to air conditioner installation or replacement is advised.

Refrigerant leak

Refrigerant leaks are one of the most common causes of insufficient cooling. An air conditioner’s refrigerant is essential for cooling, as it is responsible for sapping heat and allowing cool air to blow into the different rooms in a home. Many signs indicate a refrigerant leak, such as hissing noises coming from the unit, an odd synthetic smell, and ice buildup on certain parts of the system. Replenishing an air conditioner’s refrigerant is best done by experts, but addressing the source of the problem is also crucial. If signs of refrigerant leaks are observed, calling a heating and air specialist is recommended.

Dirty air filters 

When air filters become too dirty, this can cause all kinds of problems. One of the most significant issues is that it will hinder airflow, preventing warm and cold air from properly passing through them. This will strain an air conditioner because it will have to work harder to reach the set temperature. This issue can also lead to problems with the thermostat and cause the evaporator coil to freeze. However, unlike other air conditioner cooling issues, professional cooling services may not be necessary to clean dirty air filters—removing and cleaning or replacing them might suffice. It is also advisable to wipe down the area where they attach. Testing the unit to see if its cooling power has improved is recommended. If not, then calling a heating and air expert should be considered.

Dirty outdoor unit

Cleaning the outdoor unit is also important. In a split-type system, the condenser is the unit placed outside. It is responsible for turning warm air into cool air, which is then blown into the indoor space. If the condenser is filled with dirt and debris, the unit might not achieve consistent heat transfer, so it won’t be able to cool a home effectively. Being diligent with the upkeep of the outdoor unit is crucial. Cleaning it regularly and keeping the area surrounding it clear is important, as obstructions can also affect the performance of an outdoor heating and air unit.

Motor issues

Air conditioner units have fans inside them that blow the cooled air into the room. If the fan isn’t working or there are problems with its performance, cooling problems will occur. Tinkering with the fan is not recommended, so enlisting professional cooling service providers to solve this problem is best.

Damaged compressor

An air conditioner’s compressor is responsible for moving refrigerant between the condenser and the evaporator. Think of it as the heart of the air conditioner unit responsible for pumping blood — or, in this case, refrigerant — around the two major organs, the evaporator and the condenser. If the compressor can’t properly move refrigerant around the system, cooling issues will be experienced. Damaged compressors are best fixed with the help of professional heating and air repair experts.

Improper thermostat settings

Cooling issues might occur due to a thermostat being set incorrectly. The thermostat must be set to cooling mode to ensure an air conditioner unit effectively cools a room. Always checking the thermostat the moment an air conditioner is turned on is important, as someone might have changed it, or it may have been set back to fan mode or heating mode. Another way to eliminate this problem is to install a smart thermostat, which adjusts temperature settings automatically.

Fuses and breakers

An air conditioner unit’s fuses and breakers are in place to keep it from overheating. When a unit’s motor breaks down, experts will usually check the status of the fuses and breakers first. An air conditioner unit won’t function properly if the fuse has shorted or the breaker has switched itself off to protect the system from electrical problems. Tampering with these devices should be avoided — letting the pros handle it is advisable.

Clogged drain line

An air conditioner has a drain line intended to catch condensation produced by the system. It’s normal for air conditioner units to condense water; that’s why the drain line is there. However, if the drain line gets clogged with dirt and debris, this will cause the water to back up into the system, causing damage. Regular inspection of the drain line for clogs is recommended.

Do not let AC issues make your home or place of business feel uncomfortable. Whether you need AC refrigerant leak repair, AC condenser repair or replacement, compressor repair or replacement, or AC fan motor repair or replacement, trust our technicians to do the job right the first time. Call (210)794-9895 for a consultation.