10 Reasons Your Air Conditioning is Running But Not Cooling

You’re in the middle of a sweltering hot day and your air conditioning unit is not cooling you down. Maybe it’s not working at all, or perhaps it’s just not cooling your room as quickly as you would like. Whatever the problem is, it’s very frustrating, isn’t it?

Everyone loves their comfort, and when the sun is doing its best to bake us alive, air conditioning is the friend we turn to to help us stay cool and comfortable. That’s why you’re reading this article. You’re probably wondering what’s wrong with your air conditioning unit, and what you can do about it. Well, you’re not alone in your confusion.

Reasons Your Air Conditioning is Running But Not Cooling

Air conditioning units have a relatively long running time before they inevitably break down. This is due to quite a few reasons, some of them entirely the fault of the environment (don’t blame yourself). If you’ve noticed Reasons Your Air Conditioning is Running But Not Cooling, it could be due to several factors beyond simple wear and tear. Environmental factors, system issues, and lack of regular maintenance can all contribute to cooling issues over time.

1. Your thermostat has been set to an inaccurate temperature

The thermostat is what dictates the temperature of the air released by the AC unit. Suppose it’s 90 degrees out, and your thermostat says the unit should release 92 degrees air. Well, your AC will obey orders and give you what it is told to give you. Check the thermostat, and make sure it’s set to below room temperature, before turning it on again.

2. There is an electrical issue

There could be loose wiring somewhere or the breaker has been tripped. Electricity killed its own father, the man who discovered it, so you can be sure it doesn’t care about you. But we do, and that’s why we recommend that you call a qualified electrician to take on this problem for you.

3. The AC unit may be low on refrigerant

Refrigerant is the fluid used to cool the air the unit takes in to the desired temperature before it is released into the home. A lack of this substance will lead to less cooling than you would like. If you notice ice forming on the outside of the unit, or hear a hissing sound coming from it, this is a sign that it needs more refrigerant. Refrigerant is highly dangerous, so only a professional should handle it.

4. There aren’t enough vents inside the house to circulate the air

A single vent all the way in your living room won’t let in enough air to cool your bedroom. This issue can be resolved by adding a fan or purchasing an additional vent for a room. In fact, it’s advisable to have a vent in every home section you’re interested in cooling.

5. Your ductwork is leaking precious cool air

Leaking ductwork can be a big problem, and it can cause your air conditioner to run inefficiently. When you’re looking at your ductwork, it might look like there are no leaks, but if you have a leak, then the cooling capacity of your Air Conditioning unit will be reduced by as much as 25%. In other words, if you don’t fix the leakage problem right away (which requires professional help), then you risk losing all the money invested in replacing or repairing this equipment.

6. The pilot light has gone out

The pilot light is a small flame that is used as an ignition source for a bigger flame. This is a feature only possessed by older units though. Modern ones have automatic ignition systems for that.

Thankfully, this particular problem is an easy fix – just turn the pilot light on again. If it goes out again while you’re at home, there may be a more serious problem cheerleading. Call a professional for help.

7. The evaporator coil is dirty

The evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools the air. It’s usually located in the bottom of an air handler or in a separate unit called an evaporator coil, which sits on top of your furnace. The coil is made up of metal and fins and covered with a filter to keep it clean, so it can’t become clogged with dust or gunk like other parts might do over time.

It may sound like something you’d want to change yourself, but don’t worry—you’re not alone! In fact, many homeowners neglect this crucial component because they think it’s too complicated. But if you’re facing any issues with your AC system (like not cooling), don’t hesitate! Just call us today at (707) 741-1993.

8. The evaporator coil is frozen

If your air conditioner is running but not cooling, it’s most likely because the evaporator coil is frozen. The condenser coil is where heat is removed from the refrigerant and transferred to the air. If this part of your HVAC system does not get enough heat from its surroundings (such as from inside or outside), it can freeze up and malfunction.

To prevent this from happening, make sure that you don’t have any clogs in your indoor filters or outdoor coils. Cleaning them regularly will help prevent any problems with ice buildup on these parts of your system.

9. The AC filter is clogged up with dust and debris

This is one of the environment’s faults and is much more serious than you might give it credit. When the air conditioning filter is clogged up with dust and debris, it can cause the air conditioner to overheat. 

As you might guess, heat is not a good friend to appliances, especially electrical ones. This overheating can lead to other problems like a domino effect, and before you know it, you’re stuck in the heat of an annoyingly cheerful midday sun. That’s why it’s a good idea to prevent this by cleaning your filter at least once a month.

If you’re too late to prevent such damage to your AC unit, quickly call a professional to fix it up for you. This has the side benefit of greatly reducing the chances of the problem devolving to a more expensive one (remember the domino effect).

10. There is a blockage in the ductwork

Check the vents carefully for any loose particles or dirt that could be causing a blockage. If this doesn’t solve your problem, consider hiring a professional who specializes in cleaning air ducts so that they don’t become clogged again later on down the road!

Consider inspecting your ductwork regularly (or hire a professional to do it for you) to make sure there are no blockages. This will make sure you catch and neutralize any blockage early.

So there you have it, a list of the most common reasons for your AC not working properly. It’s possible that some of these problems are related or even the same, so if one solution doesn’t work, try another before calling a professional. Reasons your air conditioning is running but not cooling can vary, and troubleshooting can save you time and money. The next step is to reach out to us at Precision Air Solutions, where we’ll come out and handle the issue for you! Whether it’s your AC or any other part of your HVAC system, we’re here to help, so don’t hesitate – give us a call today or book an appointment online!