By Brenda Ashaka
Alpha 4 Real AC Repair & Heating, Katy, TX
You come home after a hard day’s work and your home is hot. You realize your air conditioner is not cooling as it should. What happened? Your first instinct is probably to panic. Don’t panic. There could be a number of reasons your AC is not cooling your home.
Ensuring your air conditioner is in good working condition is crucial, especially in a place like Texas where hot weather is prevalent. Below are a few things to consider.
1. Lack of Cooling
Possible Causes: Your air conditioner is working but not cooling? This issue can arise due to a number of reason but the common reasons are dirty or clogged air filter, refrigerant leaks, or a malfunctioning compressor.
How to fix it: Begin by checking and replacing the air filter regularly. If your air filter is dirty, it forces your AC unit to work harder than it should so start by changing your filter. If the problem persists, it’s best to consult a professional AC repair technician to diagnose and fix the issue.
2. Inadequate Airflow
Possible Causes: Inadequate air flow issues are usually caused by blocked or dirty air vents, a malfunctioning fan motor, or a failing blower motor. These can restrict airflow and cause your air not to flow as it should.
How to fix it: Ensure that air vents are clean and unobstructed. If your air vents are dirty, clean them by removing any dirt or lint that may be blocking the air flow. If the issue continues, contact a AC repair technician in your area to inspect and repair or replace the fan and blower motors.
3. Strange Noises
Possible Causes: Unusual noises like rattling, banging, or squealing can indicate loose or damaged parts within the AC unit. These are more common that you may think. Parts can get worn out and come loose inside your AC unit.
How to fix it: Most homeowners on hearing the strange noises will sometimes just ignore them hoping that it will go away after a while. It’s advisable not to ignore these strange noises. They usually will get worse unless you fix the issue. Contact a professional HVAC technician to investigate the source and make necessary repairs or replacement as needed.
4. Water Leaks
Possible Causes: Water pooling around the AC unit typically results from a clogged condensate drain line or a refrigerant leak. The condenser line is designed to remove water from your AC unit but if it becomes clogged, the water will not drain as intended.
How to fix it: Cleaning the condensate drain line regularly will usually fix the issue and prevent future clogs. If you clean the condenser lines and the issue persists, you will need to call a local AC repair company to fix the issue. For refrigerant leaks, it’s crucial to contact a AC repair specialist to locate and repair the leak and recharge the refrigerant.
5. Thermostat Problems
Possible Causes: Incorrect thermostat settings, a malfunctioning thermostat, or faulty wiring can lead to temperature control issues. In most situations you will need a professional to diagnose a faulty thermostat.
How to fix it: Double-check your thermostat settings and replace the batteries if needed. Replacing the thermostat batteries and setting it to the correct temperature will normally fix this issue but if the problem persists, consult a AC service technician to assess and repair the thermostat.
See also: Does Your AC Need Replacement? Signs It’s Time for New AC Unit.
6. Frozen Evaporator Coil
Possible Causes: Insufficient airflow, refrigerant issues, or a dirty coil can cause the evaporator coil to freeze. If you believe you have a frozen evaporator coil, do not attempt to fix it unless you know what you are doing. It is always better to let a seasoned air conditioning service professional deal with this issue.
How to fix it: Turn off the AC, allow the coil to thaw, and address the underlying issue, such as cleaning the coil or checking for refrigerant leaks. This is a major work and best left for an AC repair technician with years of experience to fix. Trying to fix it yourself could worsen the situation, or worse put you and your family in danger.
7. AC Won’t Turn On
Possible Causes: Electrical problems, a faulty thermostat, or a tripped circuit breaker can prevent the AC from starting. This could be a minor issue or a major problem. The only way to know is to start by going to your circuit breaker and turning off the button that controls your air conditioner, and turning it back on.
How to fix it: Verify that the thermostat is set correctly and check for tripped breakers. If the circuit breaker is tripped, turn it back on, and that should fix the issue. If it does not, then it may be a major issue and you may need to consult an electrician or HVAC technician to resolve electrical issues.
8. Foul Odors
Possible Causes: Mold or bacterial growth within the AC system can produce unpleasant odors. Obviously, this is not healthy for you and your family.
How to fix it: Regularly clean or replace air filters, and consider scheduling professional AC maintenance specialist to clean the evaporator and ducts, reducing the risk of odors.
Remember, while some of these issues can be addressed through basic maintenance, it’s important to contact a qualified HVAC repair and service technician for complex problems or issues related to refrigerant handling, as they require specialized knowledge and equipment. Regular maintenance and professional inspections can help prevent these common AC problems in the first place, ensuring your air conditioner functions efficiently in the Texas heat.
Call us today at 281-347-7325 or complete this short AC repair request form and one of our trained and experienced AC repair technicians will come out and fix your air conditioner issues. We install, service and repair AC systems in Katy, Houston, Sugar Land, Sealy, Richmond, Fulshear, Rosenberg, Stafford, Pearland, Kingwood, The Woodlands, and other nearby cities. We answer all call 24/7.
