Why isn't My Air Conditioner Cold?
 

Now that the hottest temperatures of the season are here, your family is depending on your air conditioner to keep them cool and comfortable. If your AC has stopped blowing cold air, it’s not just frustrating, but it could also create a very dangerous situation in your home if the outside temperatures are high. This is a problem that must be addressed before the problem gets worse, and before anyone in your home suffers from serious health problems.



This could be the problem.


There are several potential reasons why your air conditioner may no longer be blowing cold air, including problems with the thermostat, clogged filter or drain, inadequate refrigeration levels, or an issue with electricity getting to your system. Regardless of the cause, a cooling expert can help to get the problem diagnosed and fixed.



Thermostat problems


If you’ve noticed your home feels warmer than normal, check your thermostat. Someone may have accidentally bumped the thermostat on the wall and adjusted the temperature to be warmer than usual. Also, check to be sure that your thermostat is set to “COOL” and not “OFF” or “HEAT.”



If the settings are correct with the unit, check the batteries. If it’s been a while since you replaced them, install fresh ones to see if this takes care of the problem. With a weak battery, your thermostat may not be sending the right signals to your air conditioner to let it know when to cycle on/off.



Clogged filter or drain


If you haven’t been keeping up with routine maintenance for your air conditioner, the filter may be clogged. This inhibits the cooling system from working efficiently, and there are some ACs that shut off if the unit’s filter becomes too clogged. This is a safety feature designed to help prevent the motor in your system from overheating.



Additionally, if the condensate drain line running from your air conditioner has become clogged with build-up, your unit may automatically shut off to prevent water from backing up into your family’s home. This is another safety feature of many cooling systems to help prevent serious damage to your belongings.



Inadequate refrigeration levels


If your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant, this isn’t just bad news for your cooling system, but it could also be contaminating the ground around your home. A professional will be able to determine whether your AC is experiencing a leak, and if so, he or she will help you take care of the problem.



In addition to leaks, your AC’s refrigerant may not be properly charged. Over time, the refrigerant that helps to provide your family with the cold air you know and love will not be as powerful as it once was. An HVAC professional will be able to recharge the coolant.



Problems with powering the AC


One last thing you could do to troubleshoot this common AC problem is to check your circuit panel to see if the breaker to your unit has been tripped. If so, you may need to simply reset the tripped breaker to restore power to the system. If this doesn’t fix the issue, contact an air conditioner professional for assistance.



Get protected NOW before there’s a problem


At Oncourse Home Solutions, we offer an affordable Cooling Repair Plan for homeowners. When you’re enrolled in the plan, you will receive coverage for one primary central cooling system, ducted central air conditioning system, and blower motor if necessary for proper operation of your cooling system.



You will also receive coverage for all parts and labor, up to $2,000 annually, $400 per incident toward repairs or reimbursement toward replacement.



For complete information on this plan, including applicable terms and conditions, see the Customer Agreement.