Although Florida is a beautiful place to live, the heat can be downright uncomfortable. A half-hour in a car or outside can cause sticky clothes and the need to stock up on bottled water. But once we get home, there's nothing more satisfying then opening the door and being embraced by that cool indoor air.
So what happens when that cold air we rely on so greatly isn't cold anymore?
Sometimes, our AC units need a little help. They work hard to keep us happy, but that hard work can wear them down. If you've noticed your ac isn't blowing cold air no matter how much you mess around with the thermostat, there's no need to panic. Here are five common reasons why this could be occurring and what you can do to quickly remedy the problem - before your family starts turning on one another.
Why Isn’t My AC Unit Blowing Cold Air?
Reason #1: Dirty Air Filter
When your air filter gets too dirty, the airflow in your home gets restricted. If this occurs, you may not feel any air come through the vents if your AC unit is on. Fortunately, if a dirty air filter is the culprit, the solution is simple. Change your air filter!
However, before you install a new filter, be sure to inspect the current one inside the AC unit. Take it out and hold it up in some natural sunlight. If light can’t pass through both sides, it's obviously too dirty and will need to be replaced.
Now, there are many great replacement options to consider. If you’re looking to make sure your AC unit runs more efficiently, you can invest in a HEPA filter. It features a fine mesh screen that removes tiny particles circulating within your home.
A reusable filter is also a good option, especially if you plan on using the filter several times before throwing it away. To use this filter multiple times, all that’s required is a quick pat down with a soft-bristled brush or your hands.
Whatever new AC filter you’re considering needs to have the right dimensions. Otherwise, it won't fit, and your cooling issues will still exist. You’ll know what size to choose by looking at the dimensions on the old filter, or you can see what the recommended size is according to your HVAC system manufacturer.
Reason #2: Wrong Thermostat Setting
Before throwing your hands in the air and panicking when ac is not blowing cold air into your home, pump the breaks. The problem could be as simple as not having the thermostat on the right setting. More specifically, the thermostat may be set to ‘on’ instead of ‘auto.’ When this happens, your AC unit may not always blow out cold air. Instead, it may feel slightly warm.
Luckily, this solution to this common air conditioner problem is also simple. You’ll just need to adjust the thermostat setting to ‘auto’ from now on. Make sure you keep it on this setting because, in addition to keeping cold air coming into your home, this setting prevents your AC unit from working harder than it has to. Doing this can save you a ton of money over the years on energy bills.
Reason #3: Clogged/Dirty Outside Unit
The outside unit (condenser) is one of the most important parts of your HVAC system, as it’s designed to dissipate heat that’s extracted from inside your home via the evaporator. When this outside unit gets dirty, however, cool air has a hard time making its way back inside.
For this reason, you need to make it a priority to check the outside unit on a regular basis for dirt, debris, and leaves. If any of these are present, you need to remove them from your AC unit. It helps to use a portable air compressor for this step, as it sprays out pressurized air that can effectively remove whatever has built up on the outside unit over time.
After this cleaning job is complete, you need to take proactive measures of keeping your outside unit clean. You can easily do this by setting up a small wooden fence to provide the condenser with extra protection and coverage. With this fence in place, your unit won’t be as prone to getting dirty.
Reason #4: Low Refrigerant Levels
If you’re still wondering why your AC is not blowing cold air, it may be because your unit is low on refrigerant. You’ll know if your refrigerant is low when warm air blows through your vents or when your energy bills are higher than they should be for a particular month.
Unfortunately, addressing low refrigerant is not something you can perform on your own. In fact, you’ll need to contact a licensed HVAC technician as they know how to execute this refilling job safely and quickly. They’ll ensure your HVAC system is adequately charged and check for refrigerant leaks if the levels keep getting low on a regular basis.
If you experience low refrigerant levels unexpectedly, be sure to contact an HVAC technician that offers 24-hour AC repair.
When to Contact an AC Repair Company
We've become so reliant upon our air conditioning that suddenly not having it can be catastrophic for us - or at least feel that way. If you've inspected your AC and a dirty filter, thermostat setting, or debris isn't the culprit, it's time to call a reliable AC repair company. They'll be able to inspect the unit and get you back to comfort, quickly.