• 21 Dec, 2022
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Air Conditioner Not Cooling – What To Do To Fix The Problem

Summers in North Carolina can be intensely hot. And while we love to stay cool, many of us neglect our air conditioners. So much so that it breaks down right in the middle of a heatwave. Then, with our air conditioner not cooling our home, we scramble to find a repairman quickly.

Doesn’t it make more sense to perform routine maintenance on your system to prevent any interruption in service? Routine tune-ups can prevent costly breakdowns, reduce energy consumption, and extend the life of your system. With maintenance, your serviceman can detect and replace worn parts before they cause an issue.

We’ll explain the many ways that Aspire Heating & Cooling can provide regular maintenance by certified technicians and save you money at the same time! Scheduled service on your air conditioner will prevent problems before they become major issues, save on energy bills and offer you a discount on any AC repair required in the future. This all comes at a very low annual cost – did we mention the peace of mind that you also receive?

Your air conditioning system is a complicated piece of mechanical equipment. And like any other piece of machinery, routine maintenance keeps it operating at maximum performance levels. A breakdown may not happen today or tomorrow. But it will happen. Problems arising from lack of maintenance generally happen when you least expect it.

When Was the Last Time You Changed Your Filter?

One of the simplest and most common problems with AC units is a dirty air filter. Experts recommend changing it every 3 months depending on the number of people living in your home. Yet, how many of us remember to change our filter on schedule? Failure to do so can create so many problems for our heating and cooling systems. Moreover, routinely changing your air filter can reduce energy consumption by 5-15%

Air inside our homes contains dust and dirt. As the air circulates, it passes through the air filter where these contaminants become trapped. The more dirt that becomes trapped, the harder it is for air to flow through it. Now your HVAC must work harder to push the air through the filter, straining your system.

Restricted air flow can result in a frozen evaporator coil. Your evaporator coil works in conjunction with the condenser coil to keep your home cool. As the refrigerant moves through the evaporator coil, the cold refrigerant absorbs heat from your home. If not enough warm air passes over the coil because of restricted air flow, the refrigerant begins to freeze. Eventually, you could burn out your AC compressor resulting in a costly repair.

A Faulty Thermostat May Be the Problem

A faulty thermostat can also cause AC failure. Over time, dust can settle on the interior components. This can cause your thermostat to misread the temperature. It can also cause the thermostat to lose its connection with your HVAC unit. To clean your thermostat, remove the cover and gently brush the inside with a dry, clean paintbrush.

Loose or old wiring can cause your thermostat to lose connection with your heating and cooling equipment too. Moreover, newer style programmable thermostats typically take batteries to save programmed information in a power outage. Does your thermostat require batteries? When was the last time you changed them? Experts recommend changing the batteries yearly.

Finally, it may simply be time to replace your thermostat. As your thermostat ages, it becomes less accurate at reading temperature levels. Typically, thermostats last an average of about 10 years. If your problem persists, it’s time to call a professional to fix your air conditioner problem.

A Failed Capacitor Is A Common Problem

You’ve changed your air filter and checked your thermostat, but still your central air conditioner not cooling is a problem. Then, it’s time to call in a certified repairman. Many problems with AC units are highly technical and require someone with training and experience.

One of the most common reasons your AC unit stops working is because of a failed capacitor. Capacitors store up energy much like a battery. When you start up your air conditioner, it requires a lot of energy. More than your home electrical system can supply. A capacitor provides the necessary additional electrical current to start your system. Also, your AC system has run capacitors to provide extra power to run your unit for long periods of time.

Generally, an AC unit can have two or three capacitors for the blower motor, condenser fan motor, and compressor. Each component may have a separate start and run capacitor or both combined in a dual capacitor. Typically, capacitors last 20 years, but heat and power surges can cause premature failure.

A failed capacitor can lead to all sorts of issues. For example, your fan may be running but you have warm air blowing from your vents. Or you may hear your AC unit running, but the fan isn’t operating. Additionally, your unit may make noise or simply not turn on at all.

Replacing any of the capacitors in your AC unit is a job for a professional. Remember how we said that they store electricity? Capacitors hold this electricity even when you disconnect the power. Without properly discharging them, you can receive a jolt of electricity that can cause pain and serious injury. Aspire’s technicians will handle any job safely and inspect your unit to ensure that it is working safely and efficiently.

Dirty Coils Are Another Problem

Your air conditioner works by using the law of thermodynamics that heat always flows to a colder area. The refrigerant flows through your air conditioning unit by way of your evaporator and condenser coils. While similar in design, one absorbs heat while the other releases it. AC units change the temperature of the refrigerant by using pressure.

As it flows through the evaporator coil, the temperature of the refrigerant is between 40-50° F. Thus, chilled liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the inside of your home. After passing through the compressor, the refrigerant is a hot vapor of about 120-140° F. Since this is still hotter than the outside air, the refrigerant releases heat.

Although most of the time we can’t see it, dust and dirt are floating in the air inside our homes. A clean air filter does a good job of trapping much of the dirt. However, some dirt will eventually find its way to your evaporator coil. And if you routinely forget to change your air filter, a lot of dirt will settle there. It’s easy for the condenser coil to get dirty. Located outside, it is more susceptible to dirt buildup.

As dirt settles on the coils, it forms an insulating barrier. Then it becomes much more difficult for the heat transfer to take place. Now your system will strain to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature causing higher energy bills.

Investing in a maintenance plan can save you money on energy bills and emergency repairs. Our plan checks all the major components in your HVAC system for optimal efficiency. And it complies with Energy Star Recommendations and the American National Standards Institute. Plus, we’ll give you 15% off any required repairs. For all your air conditioning service needs, call Aspire Heating & Cooling at 336-281-0047.

A Refrigerant Leak Is Another Possibility

An air conditioning unit is a closed system. However, over time, metal and rubber deteriorate, causing refrigerant leaks. When your system is low on refrigerant, it cannot cool effectively, Hence, you’ll experience warmer temperatures inside your home and rising energy bills.

Both the evaporator coil and condenser coil are susceptible to leaks. In many systems, the coils are copper which is extremely sensitive to pollutants. Ingredients in flooring, furniture, hairspray, and cleaners can cause corrosion on copper. As copper corrodes, tiny leaks will develop.

Another place where a leak can develop is the Schrader valve. This type of valve allows the user to add or remove refrigerant in a high-pressure system without any leakage. However, incorrect installation of the valve can result in leaks. Additionally, deterioration of the rubber seals on the valve can cause leaks.

Whatever the cause of your leak, the result will be your air conditioner not cooling your home. As your system loses refrigerant, you’ll experience decreased comfort and higher energy bills. While sometimes it may be cost-effective to repair the leak, other times you may want to replace your system.

Reasons Why You May Want to Replace Your AC Unit

Sometimes, you may find that it doesn’t make financial sense to repair your old system. The repair may be very expensive. Or maybe you’ve had a series of expensive repairs. Perhaps either your AC unit or condenser unit is nearing the end of its useful life. When that happens, you may want to replace your old system with a new energy-efficient model.

Additionally, if you have an older system that uses Freon®, you’ll definitely want to consider replacing your unit. Manufacturers began phasing out freon in 2010, replacing it with the more environmentally friendly Puron®. Moreover, the production of Freon® has now ceased. As supplies dwindle, the price of Freon® will undoubtedly increase.

Plus, new units are more energy-efficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you may save 20-40% of your cooling costs with a new unit. Even if your old unit is only 10 years old, you can still save a bundle on energy costs.

So, how much will a new unit cost you? You need to consider your home’s square footage, the brand of AC unit, and SEER rating. A larger house will require a larger unit to keep it cool. Then too, some brands are more expensive than others. Finally, a unit with high efficiency or SEER rating will cost more upfront, but provide long-term energy savings.

What’s the Best Brand to Buy?

At Aspire, after working with many brands, we think Trane is unbeatable with its quality products and exceptional warranties. That’s why we’re a Trane Factory Authorized Dealer. For over 100 years, Trane has been building long-lasting, quality comfort systems. Built to withstand the toughest conditions, Trane expertly designs and rigorously tests every detail. Additionally, experts recognize Trane as a leader in the industry by awarding the company with numerous awards.

When we install a Trane system, we back it with a bumper to bumper warranty for a full 10 years. That includes both parts and labor. Plus, we offer a broad range of modern cooling systems including heat pumps and ductless systems.

Moreover, we employ NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified technicians. NATE is the nation’s largest nonprofit certification organization for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians. When you employ a NATE-certified technician for HVAC repair or installation, you know you’re getting the best service possible. You’ll benefit from proper installation and service, and fewer callbacks with fast, efficient service. NATE stands for excellence and quality service.

Air Conditioner Not Cooling – Call A Professional Repairman

Through the dog days of summer, you expect your AC unit to provide you with cool air. Nothing is more disheartening to feel warm air blowing from your vents during a hot spell. When you find your air conditioner not cooling your home, call the professionals at Aspire Heating & Cooling. We’re veteran-owned and operated, supplying personalized solutions for all your heating, cooling, and indoor air quality needs.

Don’t wait if you’re experiencing issues with your cooling system. Waiting may result in a more costly repair. If you’re experiencing rising energy bills, diminished comfort, or frequent cycling, call us at 336-281-0047. We provide air conditioning repair on all makes and models of cooling units backed with our 100% guarantee. Aspire serves the greater Winston-Salem area, including Lewisville, Kernersville, Advance, Bermuda Run and Clemmons.