AC Not Cooling? Learn 5 Reasons and How to Fix AC

The cozy feeling of being in a cool room while the temperature outside is hot is incomparable. With the summer heat beating down, you may feel tempted to keep your AC on throughout the day. However, as you keep the AC running for long hours, it may not function as efficiently as it should and the last thing you would want is the AC blowing out hot air.

The reasons for AC breakdown can be many, and knowing the exact cause is vital to finding the right solution. Below are a few common reasons why your AC is not cooling your room enough and the solutions to fix the issue.

Problem 1 – Dirty air filter

One of the most common reasons an AC breaks down is the dirty or unclean air filters. Since the AC runs regularly, the outer unit collects dust and dirt, which tend to get settled over the filter, blocking the free flow of cool air, resulting in various problems, such as improper and inefficient functioning of the thermostat.

The dirt could also freeze the evaporator coil and block the passage of cool air from the outlet and into your room.

Solution

One of the easiest and most effective solutions to this issue is to clean the filters periodically. It is better to clean the filters once every 2-3 months. If you have no prior experience with cleaning the filter, follow the below steps:

·Switch off the AC, and disconnect the wires from the switchboard

·Open the AC panel and remove the filters. If your AC has more than one filter, remove them one at a time.

·Clean the filter and the evaporator with a soft toothbrush and remove the dirt

·Be careful while cleaning the evaporator as you may get hurt by the sharp edges of the fins on the coil.

·After brushing off the dust, clean the filter with a wet cloth or place it under a tap

·Let the filter dry completely before you place them back

Problem 2 – Insufficient or leaking refrigerant/coolant

Refrigerant is a cooling liquid that circulates through the coil. It absorbs the hot air from the surrounding, cools it, and sends the cool air into the room. However, if your AC is running low on refrigerant gas or if there is any leakage, your AC will fail to cool the room.

Solution

You can quickly identify this issue by noticing signs such as hissing or bubbling sounds coming from the AC when you turn it on. Another way to detect the problem is to check for ice formation on the outside unit. The best way to fix this issue is to call an AC repair and service professional, get the refrigerant level checked, and refill the gas if needed.

Problem 3 – Malfunctioning Compressor

A compressor is one of the most critical components in an air conditioning system. It is essentially a motor that compresses the coolant and circulates it through the evaporator and the condenser coil. Therefore, if the compressor gets damaged, the whole cooling cycle will be affected and the AC will not cool your room well enough.

You can watch for the following signs to know if your compressor is damaged:

·The AC is blowing hot air

·The outside unit shakes when you switch on the AC

·The outside unit makes strange noises

·The AC does not turn on at all

Solution

A damaged compressor is a major issue and if the issue is irreparable, replace it.

Problem 4 – Wrong Thermostat setting

If your AC is not cooling the room and you have checked the filters and the outdoor unit and couldn’t find any fault, the problem could be with the thermostat setting.

If you are wondering what is a thermostat? It is a device that looks like a dial or a keypad, which is placed inside the home and displays the temperature inside the room.

Solution

Check the setting on the thermostat and change it to ‘auto’ mode instead of ‘On’ mode. If the AC senses that the temperate inside the home is hot, it will automatically increase the fan speed and circulate the cool air inside.

Conclusion

Discussed above are a few common reasons for AC not cooling the room enough, but this is not an exhaustive list. It is vital to know the exact cause for the improper functioning of the AC before you take any remedial action.

To keep the AC working efficiently, it is advisable that you service it regularly once in 2-3 months.