A fully functioning air conditioning unit is a must-have, especially during the dog days of summer. Even the most outdoorsy and adventurous homeowners want to know they can return to a well-cooled home after a long day. So when you finally crank your unit up and fail to notice any cold air, it certainly gives you pause. Fortunately, the team at Hummingbird Heating & Cooling has fixed plenty of units that stop blowing cold air. With help from our residential HVAC professionals, we’ve put together five reasons why your unit isn’t doing its job.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
Air filters are one of the easiest ways to maintain your AC unit, meaning they’re also one of the easiest things to forget to change. Air filters may not seem important, but when they are clogged or dirty, they can reduce the indoor air quality of your home — and, more importantly — stop cool air from entering. A dirty air filter prevents proper airflow from flowing through the unit, which keeps the refrigerant from cooling the air and leaves you with a struggling and malfunctioning AC.
Low or Leaking Refrigerant
Sometimes an air conditioning system that loses its ability to cool your home falls victim to low refrigerant. Refrigerant is responsible for removing the heat from the air your unit sucks in, which plays an integral part in the cooling process. Refrigerant levels usually stay stagnant, and a refrigerant leak is the only way to lose it. It’s important that you call on an HVAC professional to restore refrigerant levels and fix any leaks plaguing your system.
Faulty Compressor
Another major part of the cooling process is your compressor, which is responsible for cooling the refrigerant and air. Any damage or issues with your compressor leads to your unit failing to cool the air properly. Many homeowners experience AC problems due to a dirty compressor. Because the compressor is in the outdoor unit, it’s exposed to elements like rain, wind, leaves, mold, mildew, and even rodents. The outdoor unit is strong, but homeowners need to clean up the area and keep the compressor from building up dirt that causes major damage.
Faulty Thermostat
Whether due to a bad installation or an improper placement, your thermostat can be responsible for your central air conditioner not working properly. Occasionally, homeowners have the wrong temperature setting or format, leaving their unit on “heat” instead of cool. Other times, your thermostat is set in a location exposed to sunlight, such as windows or doorways. This causes incorrect temperature readings as the thermostat will believe your room is warmer than it actually is. If these aren’t the issue, your thermostat might be wired incorrectly or have internal damage and should be replaced by an HVAC technician.
Clogged Drains or Blocked Registers
Air conditioners are essentially giant humidifiers, delivering cool air and lowering your home’s humidity. Because of this, your unit has a drainage system that removes the moisture from the air in your home. When this drainage system gets clogged, the moisture has nowhere to go, eventually “flooding the unit.”
Sometimes, the problem is as simple as a blocked register. These vents supply the air traveling in your air ducts into different rooms and areas in your home. When they are blocked off or dirty, air won’t go into specific areas, making rooms feel warmer than others. It can be as easy as opening and cleaning registers or having an HVAC pro look at your air ducts to evaluate whether or not they’re intact.
Get Help From HVAC Pros and Restore the Condition of Your AC
Homeowners know that when in battle with the summer sun, the only way to win is with a fully functioning AC system. When yours goes off the rails, it can make things unbearable at home and leave homeowners wondering what to do next. If you live around Syracuse, NY, you can turn to Hummingbird Heating & Cooling for our air conditioning installation and repair services and restore your unit! With our help, battling the worst of the summer is easy, so contact us today and don’t go much longer with faulty thermostats or damaged AC units.
