A malfunctioning air conditioning system is a quick way to ruin anyone’s day in the Houston area. If your central air conditioner seems to be running, but it is not cooling, the problem can be even more annoying. There are a few things you can check before calling in a professional HVAC contractor for a more in-depth diagnosis.
Troubleshooting Your AC Unit
Follow these steps to determine if the AC failure is something simple that you can fix yourself:
- Check the thermostat settings: Make sure your thermostat has power, that the system is set to “Cooling” mode, and that the fan is set to “Auto.” Recent HVAC work or a loss of power may be enough to reset the thermostat.
- Check the air filter: A clogged filter may be enough to keep the conditioned air from reaching the room you are in, especially if you have ducts that leak.
- Clean around the condenser: If you have lawn furniture, toys, debris, or tall grass too close to the condenser, it can block airflow and affect the heat transfer process. Keep a two-foot area around the condenser unit clean and free of debris.
- Open the dampeners: If your air ducts have dampers to adjust airflow, make sure they are in the open position.
Other Causes of Insufficient Cooling
Here are a few other things that can cause poor or no cooling, most of which will require a professional for proper AC repairs:
- Dirty condenser coils: Condenser coils that are packed full of dirt, insects, and vegetation will need to be professionally cleaned to allow them to shed heat properly.
- Low refrigerant: If your refrigerant is low or you have a leak, the AC unit may not cool properly, or it may shut down completely.
- Frozen evaporator coil: An evaporator coil can freeze due to a clogged air filter, dirty coils, compressor problems, and more. To avoid damage, it is best to have a qualified HVAC contractor thaw the coil.
- Leaking ducts – If your air ducts are poorly sealed, improperly insulated, or leaking, hot air may find its way in, conditioned air may leak our or the air inside the ducts may be tempered by the surrounding. Sealing and insulating your ductwork is an easy way to cut down on your heating and cooling costs.
- Compressor problems: If the compressor is not running properly, it may not be moving enough refrigerant to cool your home.
Air Conditioning Repair in the Greater Houston Area
When you need expert help with an air conditioning problem, turn to our team at Horizon Air Solutions. We serve the Houston metropolitan area, and we feature NATE-certified technicians, affordable prices, fully stocked service vehicles, and the latest equipment for fast troubleshooting and repairs. We also offer 24-hour emergency air conditioning repairs for problems that simply cannot wait until the next business day. From AC repairs to AC replacement, maintenance, heating services, and more, you can count on our experts at Horizon Air Solutions for all your heating and cooling needs.
