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Did you know that more than 90% of households in the United States have air conditioning? No doubt, your home is filled with fresh, cool air that keeps you comfortable during the hot summer months.
But one of the most horrible feelings is when you notice your house getting warmer by the minute. You put your hand up to the vent and feel that it is blowing warm air. When this happens, you might ask yourself, “Why is my air conditioner not working?”. You must know how to troubleshoot the issue.
There might be some things you can do to DIY the problem, or you might have to call a professional to set things straight. If you want to know a list of the most common air conditioning problems, keep reading our guide.
Thermostat Is Not Working
The first thing you want to do is the ac is not blowing cold air is check the thermostat. That may seem like a no-brainer, but it could be the easiest DIY problem-solving you ever do. If you have to ask yourself, “Why is my air conditioning thermostat not working?” there are a few reasons.
Check the Power
What you want to do is check if the power is on. Sometimes, the thermostat will shut off without you knowing. When this happens, there is no possible way for it to link to your air conditioner and tell it when to blow cold air.
Check For Dust
If the power is on, but it still isn’t working, then check for dust. Simply take off the thermostat cover and see if the wires have a layer of debris covering them.
If so, that will prevent them from working with your AC. Do not wipe them with a damp rag or any liquid.
If you do, then you risk electric shock. Instead, get a can of compressed air to blow the dust away. While you do this, go ahead and check to see if the wires are loose. Feel free to reconnect them if they are unplugged from the unit.
Check the Placement
Placing a thermostat is a tricky business. If it is too close to a window, it may overheat and not work right.
However, if the thermostat is not close enough to a source of heat, it may not know when to turn the AC unit on to cool your home. You want to ensure that the thermostat is placed correctly in your house.
Display Settings Changed
If you have a thermostat with a touch-screen display, check the settings. It is all too easy for someone to bump into it and change the temperature to blow hot air.
Double-check that you have it set to the temperature you want for your house. As a rule of thumb, you want to adjust your thermostat five degrees lower than the temperature you want.
Sometimes, the house does not cool because the hot weather is too strong. Therefore, the air conditioner cannot keep up.
By setting the thermostat lower, you give it more power to fight the heat. You can also flip this trick in the winter and set the thermostat five degrees higher.
Clogged Air Filters
Our air filters catch all of the dirt, dust, and debris that flows through our houses. Think about the amount of dust your furniture collects every day.
Now imagine all of that running through the filters and getting caught. Some people ignore this issue and never check their filtration system. If your AC is not cooling, take a look at your filters.
If you see them jammed with debris, it is time to change them out. Be sure to switch your filters out every 30-60 days. Any longer, and you may risk some health issues.
After all, once the clog begins on the filter, the AC will start to blow it back out. That can lead to you inhaling dust and even bug particles. To avoid breathing and asthmatic issues, check your filters regularly.
Outdoor Unit Stopped Working
If you look at everything inside and don’t see anything wrong, the problem may lay with your outside unit. When you do this, take a look at the condenser and compressor.
Are they on or off? If off, then switch them back to on. That is a common air conditioning problem because it is easy for the switch to flip and shut the AC down.
Low Refrigerant
Your air conditioning relies on refrigerants. That is because the liquid will run over the coils to keep them working and let your AC blow cool air throughout your home.
So, check the levels of refrigerant. You may need to pour more inside the unit. However, there is always the possibility of a leak. So, check the drain pan for water or coolant leakage.
If you suspect that to be the problem, it is best not to handle it on your own. That is a task better left to air conditioning professionals. That way, you do not risk harming yourself while trying to fix your AC unit.
Hire a Professional to Answer "Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Working?"
As you can tell, there are several reasons why your AC stopped working. It could be your thermostat or that someone messed with the original settings.
Remember, always check out your air ducts and the unit outside for any issues. If you ask yourself, “Why is my air conditioner not working?”. It may be time to call a company.
At Infinity Texas Air, we employ some of the most knowledgeable AC professionals around. Please, feel free to contact us today and make a service call.
