Air conditioners are designed to blow cool air into the home, lowering the temperature to make the entire house more comfortable. When an AC unit stops working, the temperature in the house can quickly rise, especially during the hottest days of the summer. The root cause for this can be a number of different things, so it’s a good idea to take a look at the air conditioner and see what’s going on or call in a professional to have it fixed fast.
Refrigerant is Leaking
Leaking refrigerant means the air conditioner isn’t able to cool the air that comes into the home. The refrigerant is hazardous, so this is an issue that needs to be corrected immediately. Repairs may be possible, but depending on the damage, the home may need a new AC unit to be able to keep the temperatures at the desired level. It is important to hire a professional to deal with leaking refrigerant, as finding the source of the leak and correcting the issue can be hard to do.
Air Ducts are Leaking
Air ducts are designed to move air throughout the home to where it’s needed. If they develop a leak, the air will end up leaving the air ducts and will not reach the various rooms in the home. Instead, the attic where the ducts are located may be cool, but the rest of the home will be hot. A professional can do a test to determine if there are any leaks and, if so, repair them quickly to help cool the home again.
Air Filter is Dirty
If the air filter is dirty, the air conditioner will struggle to pull in the air that can be cooled and circulated through the home. The size of the air filter can vary based on the air conditioning system, so it’s important to check the size before purchasing a new one. In most cases, homeowners should be able to change the air filter on their own. Once the air filter is changed, the system should be able to start cooling the home once again.
Circuit Has Tripped
If the air conditioner pulls too much electricity to operate, the circuit breaker may trip. This means the power will be shut off to the appliance to prevent electrical issues like fires. If this happens, flipping the breaker on may help get it up and running again. It’s still crucial to call in a professional and find out why the breaker tripped in the first place, so that can be fixed before it happens again.
Evaporator Coils are Dirty
The evaporator coils on the air conditioner need to be clean to allow air to move freely. When they end up with dirt and debris on them, the air conditioner can’t work as effectively and may stop working completely. Homeowners may be able to clean the AC coils on their own, but it is important to be careful. Damage to the air coils can cause future problems with the system and will need to be repaired. To prevent this, it may be a good idea to let a professional handle the job.
If your air conditioner isn’t blowing cold air, the fastest way to get it working again will likely be to call in the professionals for help. Try changing the air filter and checking the circuit breaker, but if those aren’t the issue, call in the pros now so you can cool down the home faster.
