Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling? Common AC Problems & Fixes

Whenever the temperature peaks, the air conditioning unit working imperfectly is one thing that can really set one's teeth on edge. Whether an air-conditioner cools down a home, office, or other such place, an air conditioner not cool to expectations can be hugely discomforting and stressful."

This article explains some of the common reasons why an air conditioner is not cooling and presents some feasible solutions to these problems. It will also elaborate on the possible time frames when it becomes necessary to call a professional so as to prevent any further damages.

1. Common causes of air conditioner not cool

 Suppose your air conditioner runs, but it isn't cooling at all. In that case, there are probably several reasons that may indicate something amiss. Let's take a glance at those most commonly occurring which tend to interfere with your air conditioner cooling ability and charger one further. 

1.1. Dirty Air Filters

One simple and yet most common reason, probably, for an air conditioner to fail in its cooling is dirt accumulation on air filters. While the function of filters is to shield against dirt, grime, and debris, their blockage results in obstruction of airflow, thus leading to overheating of the AC and underperformance in the cooling of air.

Fix: Change air filters regularly (every 1-3 months), depending on usage and environmental conditions. If it's a wash-and-use type, wash it properly. Clean air filters boost the AC efficiency greatly.

1.2. Refrigerant is Low

Your AC cools the air in your house using a refrigerant. If there is low or no refrigerant in the system, then puncturing of the line and errors in manufacturing may have occurred.. This is important, as along with the frequent discharge of heat, it cannot take in ambient temperatures into the air conditioner due to insufficient refrigerant.

Fix: -Find an HVAC technician at once to find you if such cases arise because of the low refrigerant levels. Working with refrigerants requires special training, so any recharge or repair should be done by an authorized person to avoid any hazards due to still further complications:

1.3. Frozen Evaporator Coils

The frozen evaporator coils are also one of the different causes of the air conditioner not cooling. This is when the coils lose their maximum capacity to extract heat, providing a reduced cooling effect. The above cause comes from low airflow due to dirty filters or blocked vents or even from low refrigerant levels.

Fix: You discover that there is ice forming over the coils. Switch off the AC and wait for the ice to completely melt away. The coils may be washed carefully immediately after thawing. If the problem prevails, it may indicate low refrigerant or clogged filters, and the system must be checked by a professional.

1.4. Faulty Thermostat

An inadequate thermostat is one of the reasons causing the air conditioning system not to effectively cool your room. A non-functional thermostat in temperature reading may not allow the system to commence the cooling process or run more inefficiently than it needs.

Fix: Check the settings of your thermostat and ensure it is set in cool mode. If it is still not functioning, the thermostat may need recalibrating or replacement. In some cases, the problem may merely be a battery swap.

1.5. Dirty Condenser Coils

 The condenser coils of your air conditioning system expel heat that the appliance extracts from the surroundings of your house. Unclean and clogged coils, in turn, prevent the expulsion of heat efficiently; the air conditioner has to work extra to keep the place cool.

Fix: Clean the surface of the condenser coils regularly to remove the dirt or debris accumulated on them. This can be done by switching off the A/C and removing every visible obstacle from around it and then vacuuming or brushing the coils. If the coils are very badly soil or damaged, then you can call for the assistance of a professional technician to clean or replace the coils thoroughly as per requirement.

2. How might this problem be Troubleshot and Fixed?

And now that you have known some of the most common causes of why your air conditioners do not heat your room, you are taken through troubleshooting some issues. Most of the issues are simple and do not require the intervention of a professional while others would need professionals to assist you.

1.1. Check and Replace Air Filters

The very first thing that should be done is to examine the air filter in your air conditioner. If these look dirty, you should change them. Clean filters are essential for good conditioning to allow airflow through the system.

1.2. Check Refrigerant Levels

Another reason would probably be low refrigerant if the air conditioner gives out a message that it is not cool. Most of the time, a leaky refrigerant would require a professional to fix. Hence, contact an HVAC expert to check this system and recharge it as necessary.

1.3. Unfreeze the Evaporator Coils

Stop operating the air conditioner and allow some time for ice to melt off the evaporator coils. Ensure that air filters are cleaned and that there is good air circulation around these coils. When the ice melts off, the coils will be operational, and you will enjoy cooling from your AC again.

1.4. Calibrate or Replace Thermostat

Calibration or replacement cannot be bypassed in case the thermostat is found faulty. Replacement may solve the problem, especially if the air conditioning continues running, even when the room is already cool or does not turn on at all.

1.5. Clean the Condenser Coils

Switch the air conditioning off and clean the condenser coils by vacuuming or brushing it. Clear up all the clutter and debris in the outdoor unit area so that there will be smooth airflow. Cleaning the condensers' coils is very important in maintaining the whole system's performance.

3. When to Call in a Professional

Most of the repairs discussed above are easy to do, but some will require the attention and expertise of a professional. Things such as compressor issues or refrigerant leaks and anything that requires skills in complex electrical work must involve a licensed HVAC technician.

This can lead to more damage and even void a warranty on the equipment. For safety, and to maintain a system that operates efficiently, you should always call a professional. 

4. Prevention Tips For The Care Of Your A/C

Routine maintenance will place all air conditioning-related troubles far behind; otherwise, another will always keep springing up: that the air conditioning is not cooling. Here are a few very basic preventive measures you can do to really keep your system at its best.

- Change/clean the air filters regularly(every 1-3 months).

- Schedule annual preventive maintenance for refrigerant check and overall health check-up.

- Clear all debris such as leaves and branches from around the outdoor unit so that proper airflow is permitted.

- Check if the thermostat is operating accurately and replace batteries when necessary. 

Conclusion

An air conditioner not cooling is one frustrating problem-there are literally tons of reasons that can result in such a cul-de-sac. These could be anything from dirty filters, low refrigerant levels, frozen coils and faulty thermostats. While for the most common reasons for lack of cooling, knowing them and taking the right steps can more often than not bring the air conditioning back to working order; when things start taking too long or anything looks a bit more complicated, do not hesitate to pay a professional to save it from further harm. With good service, an air conditioner should be able to keep you cool for a number of years.