If your air conditioner is working but not cooling your home, the interior temperature will be uncomfortable. Fortunately, you don't have to let your air conditioner blow room-temperature air indefinitely. A competent heating and cooling technician will be able to evaluate your equipment and fix your air conditioner. Your technician will likely find that one or more of the following causes are making your AC run without cooling.

Your Equipment Is Too Old

If your air conditioner is more than 15 years old, it may be reaching the end of its life. Older units tend to exhibit more wear and tear than newer ones, and they're also less efficient than their newer counterparts. The best solution to this problem is to upgrade to a new air conditioning system that will cool your home to your satisfaction.

Your Unit Is Too Large or Small

An air conditioner that is too small for your home will struggle to cool your home to the desired temperature. If your AC is too large, it will turn on and off more frequently than necessary, leading to inefficiency and eventual breakdown. A skilled technician will be able to make sure that your air conditioner is the right size for your property.

Your Thermostat Is Faulty

A faulty thermostat can make your air conditioner run improperly. If the thermostat is misreading the temperature, it'll turn your AC off and on when it shouldn't. Your thermostat also won't be able to control your unit if it's dirty or in need of a new battery. You can easily change the thermostat's batteries, but you'll likely need to have a professional replace your thermostat if it's faulty.

Your Thermostat Is Set Incorrectly

Human error can also cause your air conditioner to run without cooling your house. If your thermostat isn't set to "cool," then it might be set to "fan" instead. You may be able to solve your cooling problem by simply switching your thermostat to "cool" and waiting a few minutes for the AC to start.

Your Air Filter Is Clogged

Another possible reason for your air conditioner running without cooling your home is a clogged air filter. If too much dust and dirt have become trapped in your filters, then your AC might have a hard time moving cool air throughout the home. Fortunately, you can easily switch out your old, dirty filter with a new one that will let cold air move more freely.

Your Vents Are Blocked or Clogged

Even if your air filter is clean, the air vents might be obstructed in some way. If debris has accumulated on your vents, then it might be keeping cool air from flowing to parts of your home. You might also have debris in the ductwork itself, which will need to be cleaned by a professional.

Your Ductwork Is Leaking Air

Your AC's ductwork might have leaks that can negatively impact cold airflow. Your unit might be blowing cool air, but the leaks in the ductwork will prevent that air from going where it should. A qualified technician will be able to inspect your ducts, find any leaks, and seal up any discovered breaks. Once this is done, your cool air should flow freely again.

Your Outside Unit Is Dirty

There are also outdoor parts of your cooling system that may need to be cleaned. If dirt has built up on the outside of your AC unit, then it might not be able to cool your home to your satisfaction. The condenser is prone to clogging, and it can also get covered up by bushes, leaves, branches, etc. You can clear away some of the dust and debris on your own, but you might need to have a professional clean out a severely dirty unit.

Your Condenser Is Broken

Instead of merely being dirty, your condenser might have stopped working. If your condenser can't do its job at all, then you'll need to have a professional technician replace it. Getting a new condenser should make your air conditioner blow cold air again.

Your Evaporator Coil Is Frozen

Another piece of equipment that needs to be working properly for cool air to come from your AC is the evaporator coil. If your evaporator coil has frozen, then it'll be unable to produce cool air for your home. Signs of a frozen evaporator coil include poor indoor cooling, too much liquid drainage near your unit, and frost formation on your copper refrigerant tubing.

Your Evaporator Coil Is Faulty

Your evaporator coil might be faulty instead of frozen. If your evaporator coil is broken, then you'll need to contact a technician to repair it for you. You might even need to have the evaporator coil replaced if it can't be repaired.

Your Unit Is Leaking Refrigerant

A refrigerant leak is another potential reason why your AC is blowing air without cooling your home. Refrigerant is responsible for drawing heat and humidity from the inside of your home. If the AC doesn't have enough refrigerant, then your home will likely feel warmer than it should. In addition to insufficient cooling, signs of a refrigerant leak are hissing sounds coming from your AC and a buildup of ice. Refrigerant can be dangerous, so you need to contact a professional quickly once you realize you're dealing with a refrigerant leak.

FAQs

Why does my home feel hot even though my air conditioner is running?

If your AC is running but isn't cooling your home, then you might have a problem with your evaporator coil, condenser, or vents. You also might have a faulty thermostat, an improperly sized unit, or a refrigerant leak.

Could my AC's problem be something simple?

Not every possible cause of a faulty air conditioner is complicated and expensive. Your problem could be as simple as failing to set your thermostat to "cool" instead of "auto." You might also be able to solve your cooling problem by changing your filters or washing off your outside unit.

How fast can One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® get to my home?

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® offers 24/7 emergency services to its customers. One-hour appointment windows are conveniently available, so you'll be able to schedule an appointment at the time that's right for you.

Dependable AC Repairs in Kyle

At One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning®, we work hard to provide prompt, professional AC repair and replacement services to the residents of Kyle, TX. We're up to the task of fixing your air conditioner so that it blows cold air instead of lukewarm air. If you need us to replace your AC, we're up to that challenge as well. We're also capable of cleaning and repairing your ductwork to improve your airflow. You can rely on us to get your cool air flowing again so that your home can feel like home. Contact us at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® today to meet all your cooling needs.