Why is the Air Conditioner Not Cooling

As an Air Conditioner owner, we believe you’ve been in this challenging situation sometime back. Have a sleepless night sweating or a broiling July afternoon, and you can’t figure out why? Many people get worried when this happens and the question ‘Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house?‘ keeps making circles in their heads.

You don’t have to worry anymore because we got your back. This post is committed to outlining all the possible reasons why your AC is not working efficiently. Unfortunately, this case falls upon many people during the summer season, when the days and nights are hot as blazes.

Air conditioning offers most people a relaxed and calm mindset despite the summer heat, although the main problem comes in setting the right temperature to maintain your home.

Composition of an Air Conditioner

Your AC system consists of several sections, and parts that work together to ensure your desired room temperature is achieved.

Therefore, your AC system is not just the Condenser/Heating pump you see every day outside your house; it’s more than that! The traditional air conditioning system is made up of various moving parts i.e. the furnace (Indoor air handler), air filter, evaporator coil, a thermostat, and even refrigerant lines (connecting indoor and outdoor ductwork).

Consisting of a number of parts and sections makes it affirmative to you that the possible faults can also be a number as well. Upon realizing your AC has malfunctioned, some homeowners fear that the repair expenses will automatically go above the edge.

That’s not true! First, you’ll have to troubleshoot your air conditioner to know what part is broken. You might come up with a solution at the end of the AC is facing a slight complication in the  system.

However, during most cases, the AC owners are advised to contact experts who will check your AC and solve the problem ASAP.

Why is my Air Conditioner Running But Not Cooling?

From easy AC problems like a dirty filter or an incorrectly set thermostat to more intricate issues on your system that require replacement of parts; there are quite a number of reasons as to why your Air Conditioner is not cooling the house.

Hereby, we are going to list down a couple of factors you should consider when troubleshooting your AC. Consider them first before calling out for help from a professional.

Incorrect thermostat settings

If your home temperature starts rising abnormally and you have a running air conditioner; the first thing you should inspect is your thermostat. Make sure it is on and the ‘cooling’ settings are activated too.

Remember to check out the temperature levels set on your thermostat to ensure they are not higher than they should be. Therefore, you can troubleshoot your AC by trying to turn your thermostat on, and the right settings are configured. If the air out is cold, then your Air Conditioner is on its feet and working.

Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house – A dirty air filter

The air filter is part of your AC and it’s located around its furnace. The Air filter traps dust and other forms of impurities as the air enters the Central unit. This not only maintains the efficiency of the AC’s components by keeping them sparkling clean but also keeps your room’s air clean as well.

A blocked or dirty air filter might fail to respond effectively thus tipping the amount of airflow. This usually leads to failure to cool the air in your house. During extreme cases, a dirty air filter will make your AC system shut down.

If your AC’s thermostat is working properly, make sure you check the filters in your system after turning it off. Inspect your filter and ensure it’s clean and working. If the air filter is not the issue, you’ll have to fix your eye on something else.

A malfunctioned heat pump

Sometimes, one’s outdoor unit can be a Heat pump responsible for both cooling and heating your rooms and house at large. This accessory looks just like an Air conditioner and it’s adaptable and mechanized to work like one.

Therefore, it might also be facing similar problems just like any other AC i.e. a dirty filter, broken condenser, or a leaky refrigerant. Therefore, you should check your thermostat first, troubleshoot the light issues that can easily be solved and make it all work.

If the problem is a complex one, consider making a call to the nearest HVAC dealer or professionals.

Refrigerant leaks

Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house? Even after running for a long period of time, your AC might still fail to cool your room air properly due to refrigerant leaks. The refrigerant is a chemical present in the AC system and it’s critically responsible for the cooling effect in your system.

The refrigerant flows through the ductwork, changing from liquid to gaseous form, sucking heat and humidity from the air indoors to outdoors. Refrigerant leaks can lead to improper cooling processes or even end up damaging your compressor. This will probably make your AC system shut down in no time.

A Frozen evaporator coil

Your indoor central AC unit comprises an evaporator coil which is usually placed beneath or inside your central unit. This is however defined by the type of central AC unit you’re using i.e. either the indoors or outdoor furnace.

Warm air drawn out from your indoor space to the AC passes through the evaporator coil. The coil removes humidity and heat from the air, then recirculates it back into the room spaces as cool and fresh air. Here are various signs that define a frozen evaporator coil:

• Shooting utility bills
• Frost might form on the refrigerant copper tubing
• Under extreme cases, frost might form on the outdoor unit

An undersized AC system

Air conditioners come in different sizes depending on the amount of air they are meant to cool. This is measured in British Thermal Units per Hour (BTUh). You should consider the following factors when choosing the right size Air Conditioner for your house.

They include your house’s square footage, local climatic conditions, and even insulation. An undersized AC system might bring improper cooling conditions to your home. The best way to approach this complication is to contact the HVAC experts who can easily assess your home size and the right AC for your space.

Why is my Air Conditioner Running But Not Cooling the House – Conclusion

Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house? I believe we’ve got to answer the question that’s been troubling you the most all along. Avoid the sweltering Summer days that come along with an extreme level of heat discomfort.