Introduction
It’s important that your AC is blowing cold air this month. July is, after all, the hottest month of the year in Missouri. It’s not uncommon for the weather to reach 90 degrees in July. Missouri has earned its reputation for a reason as the humidity sets in and the hot air becomes stifling. If you pour water on the concrete in July, chances are steam is going to rise from it. That’s Missouri in July for you. Now, can you imagine having to deal with that while your air conditioner is not blowing cold air? Yikes! That is why in this blog post, we will discuss six reasons why your air conditioner is not blowing cold air.
Reason #1 – Your AC is Not Blowing Cold Air Because Your Thermostat Is Set Incorrectly
The first thing you should check if your air conditioner is not blowing cold air is your thermostat. Check to see if your thermostat is set to the cool setting. If it is not, set it to the cool setting and see what happens. If that doesn’t work, then check to see if your temperature setting on your thermostat was recently changed. Adjust the temperature accordingly if it was. If you find the issue is that your thermostat is not working even after troubleshooting, then most likely your system is experiencing other problems. In our blog post, “Thermostats 101,” we list some common problems with thermostats and how to fix them.
Reason #2 – Your AC is Blowing Cold Air But The Registers Are Blocked
If your registers—covers on your air vents that can be open and closed—are blocked then cold air won’t be able to flow through them. There are multiple reasons why your registers may be blocked: they could have been accidentally closed, furniture is blocking them, a pet is currently lying on them, and more. If you notice your AC is blowing cold air everywhere else, but in a specific room or area, look at your registers. They may be blocked. If they are, remove whatever is blocking them and open them up. If that solves your problem, great!
Reason #3 – You Have a Dirty Filter
If you haven’t changed your filter in a while, a dirty filter could be why your air conditioner is not blowing cold air. As time goes on, dirt and other debris collect on the filter, creating a barrier that blocks air. This can result in your air conditioner not blowing cold air or any air at all. If you can’t remember the last time you changed your filter, you should replace it. If you have changed your filter in the last month or so, think if there are any reasons why it would get dirty so quickly. For example, if you live in a dusty environment or have pets, you will have to change your filter more often. Check your filter and if it is dirty, then that is likely the problem. If it is not, then a dirty filter is not why your AC is not blowing cold air.
Reason #4 – Your AC’s Evaporator Coil is Dirty
If your evaporator coil is dirty, your system will remove less heat from your home. Your AC may still blow air, but the airflow will be weak and the temperature will be off. Eventually, if enough debris clogs your evaporator coil, its airflow will become restricted.
When an evaporator coil’s airflow becomes restricted, the evaporator runs colder and eventually freezes. If you think your evaporator has frozen, check for ice.
Here is the easiest way to check if your evaporator coil is frozen:
- Go outside where your condenser (outside AC unit) is located.
- Look at the back or side of your condenser. You should see at least two pipes.
- The bigger pipe is your suction line and will likely have insulation wrapped around it. If you see ice formed on the suction line, then your evaporator coil is frozen.
- Do not try to remove the ice. Call an HVAC technician.
To avoid a dirty evaporator coil, make sure to have a reputable HVAC company maintain your HVAC system at least once a year.
Reason #5 – Your AC’s Condenser Coil is Dirty
Another important coil in your system is the condenser coil. While the evaporator coil absorbs heat from your home, the condenser coil releases that heat outdoors. Your system will not run efficiently if your condenser coil is dirty. When this happens, it slows down the entire cooling process and leads to your HVAC system not getting rid of as much heat, which can present itself as your system not blowing cold air. If you see any debris stuck between the fins of your outdoor unit where the condenser coil is contained, you will need to carefully remove the debris. You can use a garden hose—as long as it does not have a high-pressure nozzle—to gently rinse off the unit. Do not attempt to clean your outdoor unit when it is on.
Reason #6 – Your AC Is Not Blowing Cold Air Because It is Low on Refrigerant
Refrigerant pumps through your system and carries heat out of your house and into the outdoors. It travels through the evaporator and condenser coils. If your thermostat is set to its maximum cooling setting and you are only getting lukewarm air, your HVAC system may be low on refrigerant.
Other signs that you system is low on refrigerant:
- Hearing a strange hissing or bubbling noise coming from your system
- Ice buildup on your evaporator coil. However, ice buildup on your evaporator coil can occur due to other reasons so do not take that as a sure sign your system is low on refrigerant.
If you think your system is low on refrigerant and you have done all of the basic troubleshooting steps, such as changing your filter, clearing debris you can away from your system, etc., it is time to call an HVAC technician.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we covered the six most common reasons why your AC is not blowing cold air. While there are other reasons your AC could not be blowing air, such as if your AC’s compressor failed, you have a faulty evaporator coil, or you have a faulty condenser coil, the reasons mentioned in this blog post are the most common ones we have seen. We also wanted to focus on the problems you can solve, and won’t put a huge dent in your wallet. As much as we enjoy our customer’s business, we are here to make sure your HVAC system runs as efficiently as it can for the longest time possible.
Is your AC not blowing cold air? Do you live in Jefferson County or the surrounding areas? If you answered yes to both of those questions, give us a call! We provide free estimates. Our phone number is 636-475-9384. Get your AC blowing cold air again today.