Many homeowners find that their air conditioning unit tends to break down when they need it the most — on unbearably hot days. If your air conditioner is not cooling your home, the best thing that you can do is call an HVAC technician to fix the issue. However, before you call an HVAC technician, here are a few things that you can do to potentially resolve the problem or at least improve the function of the unit until the HVAC technician arrives.

1. Change Your Filter

The first thing that you should do to resolve your AC not cooling is changing your filter. In most air conditioning units, the filter can be found in the air handler cabinet. Usually, this cabinet can be accessed from a door at the front of the unit. Before you start changing the filter, you should turn off the power so that the air conditioning unit doesn’t pose a threat to your safety.

If you use one-use filters with your air conditioning filter, you should remove the filter and replace it with a new one. However, if you have invested in washable filters, you can simply wash the filter and use it again. Washable filters can last more than a decade.

While you’re changing or cleaning the filter, you should check the coils for ice. The presence of ice can inhibit the ability of the evaporator coil to function properly. If you notice ice, all you need to do is turn the power on for the air conditioning unit. The ice will melt in a few hours, potentially increasing the ability of your unit to cool.

2. Clean the Interior

The next thing that you should do to resolve the problem of your AC not cooling is clean the interior of the air conditioning. If debris has accumulated on the coil, condenser or evaporator, air flow may be restricted within the air conditioning unit. In the long run, this debris can damage the compressor. If this occurs, you may need to have the compressor repaired or the air conditioning system replaced completely.

3. Check Your Electrical Wiring

Many air conditioning unit issues are caused by electrical issues. Therefore, you should take a look at all of the wirings within the air conditioning unit. Pay particularly close attention to wiring that is connected to an outlet. If you notice a blown fuse or a tripped breaker, you may need to hire an electrician.

4. Check for Refrigerant Leaks

Air conditioning units need refrigerant to cool a home. Refrigerant is a substance that absorbs indoor heat and then releases the heat outside. Refrigerant performs this job in a constant cycle. However, over time, your air conditioning unit may develop refrigerant leaks. Therefore, you should check the level of refrigerant in your air conditioning unit and replenish it if necessary. Very low levels of refrigerant may suggest the presence of a refrigerant leak. Inadequate levels of refrigerant are a major cause of your AC not cooling.

As you can see, there are many things that you can do if you’re dealing with the issue of your AC not cooling. If you’re in need of HVAC maintenance or repair, feel free to reach out to us here at Elite AC.