FYI

It's hot and my AC is not working

Oct 25, 2022

Learn why Air conditioning units in need of service will not cool or filter air properly

The hot weather sneaking up faster than you expected in some parts of the America, your air conditioning unit might not be ready to go quite yet. In a desperate attempt to escape the heat, you may have powered on your air conditioner anyway only to notice one of many frustrating problems. Air conditioning units in need of service will not cool or filter air properly. Luckily, many AC unit issues are easily repaired by simple maintenance tasks, such as replacing the air filter, cleaning the lines or an annual checkup.

AC Troubleshooting

1. Why does my AC smell?

Does the air coming out of your AC unit smell musty or moldy? If so, the air filter may be filled with dust, pollen and other debris. If the filter is not changed soon enough, these contaminants cause mold to grow on the surface of the air filter. You can easily restore the air quality flowing through your home by replacing your dirty air filter with a brand new one. Since pollen counts vary in each region, check your AC filter monthly to find the best replacement interval.

2. My AC is not blowing cold air

Are you not feeling cold air from your air conditioning? If you notice that your air conditioning ducts are not producing the normal blast of cold air, you must find a fix fast to prevent damage to your AC unit. Your air conditioner operates best when the blower can constantly push cooled air through the ducts. Otherwise, the chilled air remains in the system, causing the internal components to freeze and stop working. The most common causes of weak airflow are a clogged air filter or faulty fan switch. If a filter change does not instantly fix the problem, you may need additional diagnostic tests performed by a licensed HVAC professional.

3. I think my AC has a leak

Does your air conditioner unit constantly leak water while it is running? If so, the AC drain lines could be clogged. With regular AC use, dirt and debris fill up these lines, eventually causing a total blockage. When this happens, the water flows back through the lines and overflows the drain pan. Fixing this problem involves a thorough cleaning of the drain lines to remove the debris causing the blockage. You will also need to dry the drain pan to prevent mildew growth inside the AC unit.

Obtaining HVAC Services

As you start preparing your air conditioner for the summer, reflect on your repair abilities to determine if the services would be best handled by a professional. Although changing an AC filter is usually a fairly straightforward task, additional diagnostic tests can help you avoid overlooking problems before the heat of the summer arrives. Otherwise, you could end up waiting in the summer heat for your service professional to repair your AC unit.