Have you ever experienced your air conditioner not cooling when the weather outside hit the 90s? What do we do when the air conditioner runs for a bit, but the temperature inside is still hot enough to fry an egg? Here are some quick tips to troubleshoot your AC not working:
- Check the Thermostat Settings
- Check the Air Filter
- Keep The Area Outside your Unit Clean
Skinny dipping in your neighbor’s pool is probably not an option. But there are a few things you can check right now that might fix the problem. And if none of them work, you may need to schedule a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician to diagnose the problem. The experts at Sullivan Heating & Cooling are always available to help you resolve your air conditioning problems! Call us at (360) 405-0723, or use our online contact form to arrange for a free heating and cooling consultation. Keep reading to try out these quick tips to solve your cooling issues!
1. Check the Thermostat Settings
Even if you’ve already checked the thermostat to make sure the settings are correct, check again. Make sure the fan is set to “auto” instead of “on.” If it’s “on,” your AC will blow air constantly, even when it’s not cooling. While you’re already checking, make sure you’ve set the temperature at least 5 degrees below room temperature.
2. Check the Air Filter
There’s a return vent located around your furnace unit. Check the vent and check the air filter. Is it dirty or full of debris? If the air coming out of the vents is weak and not very cool, the problem could be a dirty air filter. A dirty air filter blocks airflow to the return vent, which then prevents cool air from blowing into your home. To fix this issue, simply replace the dirty filter with a clean one. And if you’re interested in learning more about indoor air quality, check out our indoor air quality solutions here!
3. Keep The Area Outside your Unit Clean
It’s important to not neglect your outdoor air conditioning unit. It should be clean and free from obstruction. If you’ve never cleaned the outdoor air conditioning unit, that could be the source of your problem. If the unit is covered in dirt, cobwebs, or grass, clean it. And if there are tree branches or bushes nearby, trim them to give the unit room to breathe.
If the outside fan isn’t working at all, you will probably need to contact an HVAC professional to fix it. A faulty fan means the outside unit can’t cool down the refrigerant to cool your home’s air.
If none of the above suggestions helped, your air conditioner may be low on refrigerant. But if this is caused by a leak, it will require a professional to diagnose and fix. An HVAC professional can check for things like low or no refrigerant, a malfunctioning condenser fan, a malfunctioning compressor, and any other components.
If you need help with any of the above recommendations, ask our experts for help. Sullivan experts can help you repair or service your current HVAC system or help you choose the best heating and cooling options for your home, no matter the size. Call us at (360) 405-0723, or use our online contact form to arrange for a free heating and cooling consultation.
