Introduction – AC Runs But Doesn’t Cool The House Or Apartment
You’re running the Central AC unit. It’s a hot day. It’s not cooling down the apartment or the house for some reason. The AC not blowing cold air is a bad sign.
You think there is something wrong with the AC unit.
The air coming out of the vents is not as cool as it should be, and it does not seem to be cooling the room.
You think the problem might be that the filter is dirty and needs to be changed, or the thermostat is not set correctly. Another possibility is that the compressor isn’t working properly or the refrigerant levels are low.
But you’re not sure, so it’s time to call in a technician. We also leave you with one bit of advice at the end – consider improving your insulation to cut down costs and reduce greenhouse emissions!
Reasons Why The AC Runs But Doesn’t Cool The House Or Apartment
There are several potential reasons why an air conditioning (AC) unit might run but not cool the air effectively.
Basically the problem is that cold air isn’t coming out even though the unit is constantly running. Some of the most common causes include the following:
- Low refrigerant levels: The refrigerant is the chemical that is used by the AC unit to cool the air. If the refrigerant levels are low, the AC unit will not be able to cool the air effectively. This can be caused by a leak in the refrigerant line, or by an issue with the AC unit’s compressor.
- Dirty or blocked air filters: The air filters in an AC unit are responsible for removing dust, dirt, and other contaminants from the air as it is circulated through the unit. If the air filters are dirty or blocked, they will not be able to filter the air effectively, which can reduce the AC unit’s ability to cool the air.
- Frozen evaporator coils: The evaporator coils are a critical component of the AC unit, as they are responsible for absorbing heat from the air as it passes over them. If the evaporator coils become frozen, they will not be able to absorb heat effectively, which can reduce the AC unit’s ability to cool the air.
- Malfunctioning thermostat: The thermostat is the device that controls the AC unit and tells it when to turn on and off. If the thermostat is malfunctioning or not properly calibrated, it may not be able to accurately control the AC unit, which can cause it to run but not cool the air effectively.
If your AC unit is running but not cooling the air effectively, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to restore your home’s comfort.
You should contact a qualified HVAC technician to diagnose the problem and recommend a course of action.
Parts Of The AC That Cause The AC Not Blowing Cold Air
An air conditioner (AC) works by using refrigerant to cool the air in a building. A problem with any of the components could be the cause of an AC that runs but doesn’t cool.
Even a brand new AC could have these issues if there was an improper installation. The AC unit consists of several key components, including the following:
- Compressor: The compressor is a pump that is driven by an electric motor. It is responsible for compressing and circulating the refrigerant through the AC unit.
- Evaporator coil: The evaporator coil is a series of tubes that are located inside the AC unit. When the refrigerant passes through the evaporator coil, it evaporates and absorbs heat from the air in the building.
- Condenser coil: The condenser coil is a series of tubes that are located outside the AC unit. When the refrigerant passes through the condenser coil, it condenses and releases the heat that it absorbed from the air in the building.
- Expansion valve: The expansion valve is a device that is used to regulate the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator coil.
- Thermostat: The thermostat is a device that is used to control the AC unit and to regulate the temperature in the building.
For basic information about ACs take at a look at the Energy.gov page about types.
To Cool The Air The AC Uses The Following Process:
- The compressor compresses and circulates the refrigerant through the AC unit.
- The refrigerant passes through the expansion valve and enters the evaporator coil, where it evaporates and absorbs heat from the air in the building.
- The cooled, dehumidified air is then circulated throughout the building by the AC unit’s fan.
- The refrigerant, which is now in a gaseous state, passes through the condenser coil, where it releases the heat that it absorbed from the air in the building.
- The refrigerant is then compressed again by the compressor and the cycle begins anew.
Overall, the AC unit uses the process of refrigeration to cool the air in a building and make it more comfortable for the occupants.
How To Diagnose An AC That Isn’t Cooling – What To Do
There’s a good chance you’ll need to call in a technician to solve this problem. But to give you an idea of what to expect, here are 5 steps to diagnose an air conditioning (AC) unit that isn’t cooling:
Check The Thermostat
The first step in diagnosing an AC unit that is on but isn’t cooling is to check the thermostat. Make sure that the thermostat is set to the correct temperature and that it is set to the “cool” mode.
If the thermostat is not functioning properly, it may not be able to accurately control the AC unit, which can cause it to run but not cool the air effectively.
There are several potential problems that can occur with an AC thermostat, including the following:
- Inaccurate temperature readings: The AC thermostat relies on a temperature sensor to measure the ambient temperature in the building. If the sensor becomes damaged or is not properly calibrated, it may not be able to provide accurate temperature readings, which can cause the AC unit to turn on and off at the wrong times or to run inefficiently.
- Malfunctioning control panel: The control panel on an AC thermostat is used to set the desired temperature and to select the operating mode (cool, heat, etc.). If the control panel becomes damaged or malfunctions, it may not be able to accurately control the AC unit, which can cause it to run but not cool the air effectively.
- Loose or broken wires: The AC thermostat is connected to the AC unit by a series of wires. If these wires become loose or are damaged, it can prevent the thermostat from communicating with the AC unit, which can cause the AC unit to run but not cool the air effectively.
- Dead batteries: Most AC thermostats use batteries to power the control panel and other electronic components. If the batteries become drained or dead, it can prevent the thermostat from functioning properly, which can cause the AC unit to run but not cool the air effectively.
AC Not Blowing Cold Air? Check The Air Filters
The air filters in an AC unit are responsible for removing dust, dirt, and other contaminants from the air as it is circulated through the unit.
If the air filters are dirty or blocked, they will not be able to filter the air effectively, which can reduce the AC unit’s ability to cool the air. Check the air filters and clean or replace them if necessary.
Check For Frozen Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils are a critical component of the AC unit, as they are responsible for absorbing heat from the air as it passes over them.
Evaporator coils can become defective in expelling the cold air into the room, in which case it will cool only the AC unit and not the air.
If the evaporator coils become frozen, they will not be able to absorb heat effectively, which can reduce the AC unit’s ability to cool the air. If the evaporator coils are frozen, you will need to thaw them before continuing with the diagnosis.
Check The Refrigerant Levels
The refrigerant is the chemical that is used by the AC unit to cool the air.
Incorrect refrigerant levels can cause several problems with your AC unit, such as: decreased cooling capacity, decreased energy efficiency, frozen evaporator coils, and compressor damage.
If the refrigerant levels are too low, the AC unit won’t be able to cool properly and will be less efficient.
If the levels are too high, the compressor can become overworked and eventually fail. If the refrigerant is leaking, the unit will not be able to properly cool the air, and the evaporator coils may freeze.
Check For Other Problems Behind The AC Not Blowing Cold Air
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, there may be other problems with the AC unit that require the attention of a qualified HVAC technician.
ShrinkThatFootprint has other solutions for keeping a house cool. Take a look at a super energy efficient way here in our section on insulation.
Final Advice: Invest In Insulation
Insulation is a key factor to consider when diagnosing air conditioning problems, as it significantly influences indoor climate by reducing heat transfer.
Upgrading insulation helps your AC system function more efficiently, resulting in lower utility bills and extended system life.
Especially important in the face of escalating global warming, insulation contributes to broader environmental solutions by reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems, thereby lessening energy demand and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Hence, addressing insulation isn’t merely a temporary fix but a long-term, beneficial investment that enhances home comfort, decreases energy expenses, and lessens environmental impact in our warming world.
