The last thing you want on a sweltering North Carolina summer day is your air conditioner running but not chilling. Do not panic if your AC is on and not blowing cold air; this is a common issue which usually has a fix. Sometimes the answer is straightforward—that is, changing a setting or replacing a filter—and other times you will need the advice of a professional. Let’s review a few typical causes for why is my AC not blowing cold air and discuss how to restore cool air.
1. Problems with Thermostat or Power
Start with the simplest possible fix—that of your thermostat or power source. Make sure your thermostat is set to “Cool,” with a temperature below the room temperature right now. It should also be on “Auto,” rather than “On,” since otherwise the fan might run air that isn’t cooled. Then, examine the electrical panel in your house. Sometimes, the summer storms or power surges in North Carolina trip the AC circuit breaker, so power is cut off. If your thermostat runs on batteries, make sure they are not dead.
How to Fix: Fix any thermostat settings; replace batteries if necessary; then, reset any tripped breakers. See a professional if the breaker trips once more or the AC is still not cool.
2. Clogged Air Filter Blocking Airflow
A dirty air filter is one of the most common offenders for an AC not blowing cold air. A blocked filter chokes off airflow, so it limits the amount of cool air your AC can move. Very low airflow can cause the indoor coil to freeze, depriving the air of its cooling effect. Filters can get dirty faster than you would expect in the summer, given the pollen and dust North Carolina produces.
How to Fix: Check your HVAC filter and, should it be dirty, replace it. You might need a new filter every month in hot NC months. Changing a dirty filter will help your AC blow colder air right away by restoring appropriate airflow.
3. Low Refrigerant – Potential Leak
To chill your house, your air conditioner absorbs heat using refrigerant, a specific coolant. Usually resulting from a leak, a low refrigerant level will cause the AC to struggle to cool and may only blow lukewarm air. It might even run continuously without ever approaching the target temperature. Often, a refrigerant leak can be indicated by a faint hiss or bubbling sound close to the unit.
How to Fix: Refrigerant problems call for a licensed HVAC technician’s handling. Call a professional who can locate and fix a suspected leak or low refrigerant, to then properly recharge the system. Refrigerant should not be added by you. Your AC should blast cold air once the leak has been repaired and the system is recharged.
4. Broken Outdoor Unit or Compressor
Should the indoor blower be running, yet you still feel no cold air, the outdoor unit may be the cause. Look at the outside of your condenser unit. Should it not run at all, or you hear clicking or humming, but the compressor or fan motor fails to fully turn on, there may be a failed capacitor or a bad transformer. The AC won’t create cold air, basically, if the compressor isn’t performing as it should. After years of use, particularly in North Carolina during severe summer heat waves, components like these can fail.
How to Fix: First, ensure the outdoor unit has breathing room and is free of trash. You will need to call NC’s air conditioning repair if it is clean but not running (or producing odd sounds). A technician can ascertain whether the compressor can be fixed or replace malfunctioning components such as a fan motor or capacitor. Should your AC be older and show a significant failure, they can suggest whether it would be better to replace or repair the unit.
Get Your AC Cooling Once More; We Can Help!
Especially in North Carolina heat, fast, dependable assistance is needed when your AC is not blowing cold air, and quick do-it-yourself checks don’t solve it. Air Support Heating & Air comes in quite handy here. Our knowledgeable staff will find your cooling issue and quickly get your system back blasting cold air.
We have you covered for both basic fixes and more involved repairs. For professional air conditioning repair anywhere in North Carolina, call Air Support Heating and Cooling. We provide free estimates and financing to suit your budget; we are also on call for emergency services. Avoid suffering in the heat; instead, contact Air Support now to have your house comfortable once more. Get your free estimate today!