It’s stifling outside and no matter how low you set your thermostat, you still find yourself sweating up a storm indoors because your air conditioner won’t cool your house properly. What’s going on? Can you fix it? Do you need to call an air conditioner repair specialist? Read on to learn about the most common reasons air conditioners fail to cool properly, and what you can do to solve the problem.

1. Your HVAC Filters Need to Be Changed

Have you changed your filters recently? If you can’t remember the last time you swapped out your HVAC filters, they’re probably filthy and clogged filters can easily prevent cool air from circulating throughout your house properly. Change your filters and see if there’s a difference. If nothing changes, have an air conditioner repair specialist take a look at your unit.

2. The Unit Has a Refrigerant Leak

If your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant, it can’t possibly cool your home to a comfortable temperature because it's the refrigerant that absorbs heat from the air inside your house. Typically, refrigerant leaks occur due to:

●        Normal wear and tear on the unit

●        Poor connections or joints inside the unit

●        Corrosion of the metal tubes that carry the fluid

●        Factory defects (missing components, poor unit assembly, etc.)

If you do have a leak, you might also notice the unit’s evaporator coil is frozen, or the humidity levels in your home are unusually high. A hissing noise coming from the unit may also indicate there’s a leak.

Since refrigerant fluid can be hazardous, you should never handle it on your own. Only a trained and experienced a/c repair professional should ever diagnose a leak or top up your unit if it needs a boost. You may need to opt for a/c replacement if your unit is seriously aged as the problem will likely repeat itself. 

3. Leaky Ductwork

If you have a central HVAC system, your air conditioner relies on ducts to distribute cool air throughout your home. Even a few small holes and cracks in your ductwork can allow a substantial loss of cool air, so if some of the rooms in your home are cool while others feel warmer, duct leaks are a likely culprit.

To fix the problem, you’ll need to get a ductwork inspection from an HVAC professional who can find any existing leaks. If your ducts are older than 20 to 25 years, it may be in your best interest to have them completely replaced.

4. Your Air Conditioner Has a Damaged Compressor or Fan Motor

When an air conditioner’s compressor goes bad, it can’t pump refrigerant between the unit’s evaporator and its condenser coils. Since the refrigerant is responsible for absorbing heat and transferring that heat to the condenser for dissipation, it must be able to move freely between the two system components. If that’s not happening, your air conditioner will end up blowing warm air.

A damaged fan motor will also prevent the unit from dissipating hot air because that motor is responsible for preventing the compressor from overheating. When the compressor overheats, it won’t dissipate warm air, and the unit will fail to put out cold air.

Unless you’re an HVAC expert, you shouldn’t attempt to diagnose a faulty compressor, motor, or any other component that may be damaged. Call an air conditioner repair specialist for an inspection, and let the pros determine the best course of action for fixing the unit.

5. Your Thermostat Is Faulty

Before you assume your thermostat is broken, double-check that it’s set to COOL and not HEAT. If it’s already on the appropriate setting, there’s a chance it may be damaged, and that’s the culprit behind the lack of cool air in your home.

How do you know if you’re dealing with a damaged thermostat? Given the number of issues that can crop up with your air conditioner, it can be difficult to tell if the thermostat is the reason for your problems. If you suspect a faulty thermostat, it’s best to call in an a/c repair specialist who can diagnose the device.

For more information on determining whether your thermostat is having issues, check out Is It Time to Replace Your Thermostat? 5 Signs to Watch For

6. Your Ductwork Is Leaking

If you have central a/c, your ductwork is what carries cool air from your air conditioner throughout your home. It also carries warm air from inside your home to the a/c unit, where the unit essentially removes the heat from the air and circulates it back into the duct system.

When your ductwork is fully intact, it transports cool, conditioned air efficiently, but when your ducts have small cracks or holes, cool air can easily escape through those openings. Ultimately, that cool air never reaches its intended destination inside your living areas.

How can you tell if damaged air ducts are preventing cool air from getting into your home? Check out 6 Signs You Should Repair or Replace Your Ductwork for more information. 

7. You Have the Wrong Size A/C Unit

Have you always felt like your air conditioner doesn’t do a great job of cooling your home? Then it’s possible your unit is too small for the size of your house.

When it’s hot outside, an undersized air conditioner must run almost constantly to keep a home at the desired temperature. This constant operation ends up wearing out the unit much faster than normal, which leads to a drop in efficiency that only worsens the problem.

If you suspect your air conditioner is too small, it’s in your best interest to call a heating and cooling professional for a diagnosis and advice. A pro can recommend the appropriate size unit for the size of your house and replace your existing unit with one that’s better suited to your cooling needs. 

Get Fast & Effective Air Conditioner Repairs Near Wisconsin Rapids

Is your air conditioner on the fritz? Let the highly trained and experienced technicians at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating solve the problem for you! We specialize in air conditioner repair and replacement and serve residential properties throughout Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Wausau, Marshfield, and the surrounding areas.

To schedule a service appointment, feel free to call our office at 715-421-1800 or request an estimate, and a member of our team will be in touch shortly!