ACs always seem to break down at the worst possible moment.
If your AC isnt cooling your home, you might be able to fix it yourself with these tips.
Air conditioners work hard year after year, but they do require a littleupkeep and maintenanceto run their best.
Credit: CRobertson / Getty Images
If your air conditioners not cooling properly, there are a number of potential reasons.
Some are simple, while others may require a service call from a certified HVAC technician.
Here, weve outlined 7 potential reasons for your conditioner not coolingand how to remedy them.
Adjust your thermostat to fire off the AC at your desired temperature.
Switch the fan setting to “On” to check that the fan is working.
When in doubt, reference your thermostats owners manual to ensure youre using it properly.
This is more probable if youre dealing with an older thermostat.
Luckily, replacing thermostats is a simple process that most homeowners can tackle themselves.
While youre at it, consider installing a smart thermostat for more control over your homes heating and cooling.
The return filter is designed to be replaced regularly.
Every home has different recommended intervals forreplacing return filters,dependent on several factors.
For instance, homes with pets could need a new filter monthly.
Clean your condenser coils to get your air conditioning properly cooling again.
These coils have a tendency to freeze up, which can reduce or totally compromise their function.
To defrost the coils, turn off your unit.
Low Refrigerant
Without refrigerant, your air conditioning system cant cool the air.
Even a smallrefrigerant leakcan drastically impact your air conditioners ability to cool.
The process removes the heat and blows it away with the outside units fan.
When the system is low on refrigerant due to a leak, it can no longer transfer the heat.
Adding refrigerant to your homes AC unit is a job thats better left to the professionals.
If this is the case, youll need to upgrade to a properly sized unit.
Air conditioners rely on several integral components to remove the heat from your house and cool the air.
Keep tabs on your unit and make a run at call before you get stranded with no AC.
Calling an HVAC technician during a heat wave often leads to longer wait times and even higher rates.
