Why Is My House AC Not Cooling?

Phoenix, Arizona, is well known for having extremely high temperatures. It can get very heated, especially in the summer, and having a working air conditioner is imperative. If the house AC is not cooling, it can get a little too hot. There are many reasons why an air conditioner is not keeping the house as cool as it should, or worse, not at all. It is important to find an AC service company in Phoenix that is adept at diagnosing a variety of issues and knows how to fix them quickly.

Potential AC Problems

Whether your cooling system is blowing warm air or is not working at all, it may be caused by a variety of things. Some may require AC repair from professionals to get it working properly again.

1. Dirty Filter or Cooling Coils

Over time, dirt builds up on the air filter, and this restricts the amount of air that the system can cool. This can also affect the indoor and/or outdoor coils of the air conditioner. This prevents the coils from being able to transfer indoor heat to the outdoors, and as a result, only warm air will come out of the vents.

HVAC professionals recommend replacing the air filter on a regular basis, which is usually once a year. However, if your system runs a lot, it may require a more frequent replacement.

2. Unsuitable Thermostat Settings

Most thermostats give you the option of setting the fan to ‘on’ or ‘auto.’ It may be tempting to have it on all the time, with the theory being it will keep things cooler. However, during the times the system is not in a cycle of cooling, the air coming out of the vents will feel warmer. Also, it may seem obvious, but double-check to ensure the system is set to ‘cool’ as opposed to ‘heat.’

3. Compressor Malfunction

The compressor is an essential part of an air conditioning unit. It ensures optimal pressure, and if it is not working, the system is unable to absorb heat and transfer it to the outdoors. This may require repair or even a replacement.

4. Leaking Refrigerant

If your air conditioner is running but is not producing adequate cooling, the problem may be a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is responsible for absorbing heat, so if it is leaking, the air cannot cool properly. This issue can lead to more serious problems with the compressor, so call for service repair right away if you notice:

• The unit can cool at night but not during hot days
• Hissing sound
• A buildup of ice on the outdoor unit

5. Exterior Unit is Dirty

The HVAC unit that is located outside is responsible for releasing the hot air that the inside unit absorbs. If it has a layer of dirt covering its vents, it cannot get rid of the air efficiently, which causes the air to be redistributed inside the house. It also does not work if bushes or plants are blocking it. Make sure the area around the unit is cleared, and clean it regularly with a gentle flow of water.

6. Old Unit

All air conditioners have a limited life span. If you have had the system for a while and it is not cooling like it used to, it may be time to replace it.

More HVAC maintenance tips

Contact Accutemp for Air Conditioning Maintenance

If you are sweating it out in the sweltering Phoenix heat, do not wait any longer to get your air conditioning fixed. Accutemp is a reliable company with a wealth of experience with HVAC repair. Contact us today so you can enjoy a perfectly working HVAC.

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