During the hottest months of the year, the last thing you want to have to deal with is a malfunctioning air conditioner. So if you’re sweating it out, and asking ‘why isn’t my ac working?’…there are several things that could be causing the problem, and some troubleshooting tips you should try before calling in the pros at Keith Heating & Air.
Check your thermostat.
Before you do anything else, make certain your thermostat is set to cool. Particularly at the onset of a new season, you may have just forgotten to switch it over to the cool setting. Try setting the temperature to two or four degrees below room temp. Other things to consider include your circuit breaker, which may need to be reset, as well as your air filters. If you don’t recall the last time you changed out your filters, it’s probably past time to do so. Dirty air filters can cause your AC system to cool much less efficiently.
Low freon.
Another common cooling problem in the summer months is low freon. Freon is a refrigerant in the air conditioner that helps to effectively cool the air in your home. Freon leaks can be another culprit when it comes to subpar AC performance. Our team at Keith Heating & Air can check the level of refrigerant in your system, detect and repair leaks, and get your system back in working order.
Inconsistent temps throughout the home.
Depending on the layout of your home, you may find that your AC works well at keeping certain parts of the home cool, while other parts are consistently too warm. This can be a problem specifically with split level homes where the basement or mid level of the house is cool, and the upstairs is uncomfortably warm by comparison. One way to mitigate this issue is to create climate zones. One way to do this is to close several vents on the first floor, but not all of them, to help force your cooling system to direct more cool air upstairs. If this method doesn’t work, you may not have the right size or type of AC system for your space. Our team can help you assess this situation, and resolve the issue.
AC won’t shut off.
If your AC just runs and runs, or stays on longer than it should, it could be due to a dirty filter. Clean or replace the air filter to see if that resolves the issue. It could also be that your system is just simply old or the wrong size for your space. These issues can cause the AC to overwork, cycle too frequently, and have difficulty shutting off when it should. Other issues that could be causing your system to run incessantly are a stuck fan, a short in the thermostat cable, or an altogether bad thermostat that needs to be replaced.
Fan not working.
If the fan in your AC unit isn’t working properly, it might mean something as simple as a breaker has tripped. If there is ice on the evaporator coil and refrigerant lines, give the ice time to melt, then check again to see if the fan is working. It also may be that the coil is frozen, in which case you will need a technician to check it out and potentially replace the contacts inside the fan relay, replace the fan’s belt, or even address issues with the motor.
Duct issues.
Duct damage can also be the cause for AC malfunction. Damage to the duct work caused by pests, poor installation, or other issues can result in air leaking from your AC system. As the ducts serve to distribute cooled air throughout your space, damage to that ductwork can reduce the system’s overall efficacy. Not only can this cause inefficient cooling in your home, but it can also result in higher electric bills, as well as noise. If you hear popping or pinging in conjunction with air flow in your spaces, that could indicate a loose flap of metal in your duct system that should be addressed. It’s also recommended that homeowners have their ducts cleaned periodically to remove dust, mold, and other debris that can affect AC performance as well as indoor air quality. Our team can help with this as well.
Regardless of what’s going on with your AC, our team can help diagnose and address the problem, and get it cooling again quickly. The odds are it’s one of these common issues that can easily be remedied. That being said, if you don’t make regular HVAC maintenance a priority, you’ll be looking at replacement sooner than later. These annual or bi-annual check ups can result in diagnosing issues early, avoiding breakdowns, and prolonging the life of your units. If you’re wondering– why isn’t my ac working– contact Keith Heating & Air today. We’ll help you get to the bottom of the issue, and resolve it promptly.