When a heat wave settles into Ross County, it can be frustrating when your AC doesn’t keep up despite it running frequently. You may notice that your thermostat never reaches your set temperature. Some rooms stay uncomfortably warm as your energy bills continue to climb.
Although hot and humid weather can put a strain on your system, your AC shouldn’t have to run continuously to achieve comfort. If your air conditioner is struggling to keep up, it could have to do with the thermostat, the breaker, a frozen evaporator coil, or low refrigerant.
Troubleshooting for an AC That Runs but Isn’t Cooling
When your AC unit is running but isn’t properly cooling your home, it’s best to identify the root cause. Some issues can be simple, while others may require professional AC repair. Taking a few minutes to troubleshoot your system can help you see whether it’s a simple fix you can handle or if you need professional HVAC help.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
One of the very first things you want to check is your thermostat. Start by ensuring that it’s set to cool mode rather than fan mode. If your blower fan is set to auto, it will be running all the time regardless of whether your air conditioner is on or off. When your AC unit isn’t running, the fan could just be circulating room-temperature air out of your vents, which can feel warm.
Make sure that your thermostat setting is lower than your home’s current indoor temperature. You can also try replacing your thermostat batteries, as weak batteries can lead to communication problems.
Tripped Breaker
Your AC unit has two major components: the outdoor condenser unit and the indoor air handler unit. Sometimes, the breaker controlling the outdoor unit can trip while the indoor blower unit continues to run. When this happens, your system is basically circulating room temperature air instead of providing cooling support.
Look at your outdoor subpanel next to your condenser unit to see if the breaker is tripped. If so, you can try resetting it to restore functionality to your system. If it trips immediately, don’t reset it again. Rather, contact a qualified HVAC technician for further assistance.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
Another common culprit behind poor AC cooling is a frozen evaporator coil. When the evaporator coil freezes up, airflow becomes restricted, and your system can no longer move heat out of your indoor air. You may notice weak airflow from your vents, water around your indoor unit, or even ice forming on the refrigerant lines themselves.
There are several different culprits behind evaporator coil freezing. These include blocked airflow, dirty filters, low refrigerant, bad blower motors, and dirty coils. If you suspect that you have a frozen coil, it’s best to shut your system off and schedule a professional inspection.
Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant is necessary for absorbing heat from inside your home and releasing it outdoors. It’s important to note that refrigerant isn’t something your system uses up over time. If the refrigerant level in your system becomes too low due to a leak, your AC unit will struggle to cool your home efficiently. You may notice warm air coming from your vents, higher energy bills, frozen refrigerant lines, or even longer cooling cycles.
If you suspect you have a refrigerant problem, it’s necessary to contact a professional. Our team can safely handle the refrigerant in your system to protect the environment and you. We will repair your refrigerant leak and recharge your system to ensure optimal cooling.
When to Call for AC Repairs
While it’s necessary to call your AC technician for routine AC maintenance each year, it’s important to know when to call for repair services. If your thermostat, breaker, and filter appear fine, then it’s time for a professional inspection.
You don’t want to continue to operate your air conditioning system if it’s struggling to properly cool your home. This can place additional strain on its major components and increase the likelihood of an expensive breakdown. Equipment strain can also lead to higher energy bills and a larger carbon footprint.
Call Chillicothe Comfort Heating & Air for AC Repair in Chillicothe
When your air conditioner struggles to keep up with the hot weather in Chillicothe, it’s important to act. Ignoring the problem can lead to less indoor comfort and higher energy bills.
Contact Chillicothe today for professional AC repair in Chillicothe.