5 Reasons Your Air Conditioning Is Not Working

In the Texas heat, air conditioning is essential. Not only does air conditioning help lower indoor temperatures, but it also removes excess humidity in the air. Too much indoor humidity can lead to issues with mold, insect infestations, and damage to furniture. When temperatures and humidity soar in the summer, cool and dry indoor air offers much-needed relief from a variety of problems.

Because your air conditioner is vital to your health and comfort, you need it working all summer long. The best way to keep it running at maximum efficiency is to have it inspected annually and to switch out the air filters often. When your air conditioner starts lagging in performance or simply isn’t working at all, you may need expert help to get it running again. Here are a few of the top reasons why your air conditioner could not be working, and when it’s time to call in the professionals.

Why is your air conditioning not working?

There are a lot of moving parts and systems that must work together in order for your air conditioner to properly cool your home. It can be difficult sometimes to determine the specific issue that is causing your air conditioner problems. Before calling the experts, you can troubleshoot the following:

• Ensure the thermostat is on and set to ‘cool’.
• Make sure vents are open and unblocked.
• Change out the filter (should be done at least every 3 months).
• Check the breaker box for a flipped switch.
• Check that the indoor and outdoor disconnect switches are off.

If you have completed these troubleshooting steps and your air conditioner is still not working, then the problem could be originating from any one of the following components:

Refrigerant

Refrigerant is what cools the air as it circulates through your air conditioner. Without enough refrigerant, you may notice that it takes longer for your house to cool down or that it doesn’t cool down at all. Sometimes shoddy installers don’t fill the refrigerant line with enough refrigerant, to begin with. Other times, the line can sustain damage and leak.

If you notice liquid pooling on the outside of your air conditioner, contact an expert right away. It is best if a professional handles the refrigerant, as many older air conditioner models still use toxic Freon. If there is a leak, they will provide you with a quote to replace the line. If your refrigerant is just low, however, they should let you know how much it will cost to top it off.

Coils

There are two sets of coils in your air conditioner. One set is called the condenser coils. These move the heat from inside your home and release it outdoors. If these are exceptionally dirty, then the transfer of heat won’t be as efficient and it may take longer for your air conditioner to cool your home. The longer your air conditioner runs, the faster internal parts will wear out and will need to be replaced.

The second set of coils are called the evaporator coils, which is where the refrigerant runs through to cool the air that comes into contact with these coils. If air circulation is poor, like from a blocked air intake vent, then the coils may freeze and prevent the appropriate amount of heat transfer from occurring. You can inspect your vents for obstructions and switch out your air filter to solve this issue. If these steps don’t work, then you will need to call a professional technician to come to take a look.

Electrical

Sometimes wires burn out or go bad inside your air conditioner. If you smell a faint burning smell coming from your vents or air conditioner, then this is likely the issue. For safety, always call a certified professional to inspect and replace wiring in your air conditioner.

Ducts

There could be nothing inherently wrong with your air conditioner, but damaged ducts can be the reason behind your hothouse. Gaps and holes in your ducts can be letting cool air escape into the walls before reaching your vents and letting hot air enter the system at the same time. If you don’t see any obvious flaws with visible ducts, you may need a professional to come thoroughly inspect your ducts. Even small holes can drastically affect the efficiency of your system.

Broken or Damaged Parts

Whether your air conditioner needs repair on a worn-out mechanical part or just requires lubrication, a professional technician can help. If you hear any screeching, banging, or grinding noises when your air conditioner is running, this is an indication that something is amiss inside your unit. Turn off your air conditioner right away and call an expert before the broken or loose parts to cause irreparable damage to the rest of the mechanics.