Why Is My AC Not Blowing Cold Air?

Is your AC only blowing warm air? If you want your AC to work again, you may need to get air conditioner repair services. 

Air conditioners can stop blowing cold air for various reasons. Whether you have dirty filters or bad compressors, it’s important to get your AC maintenance and repairs handled so that your current problem doesn’t spiral out of control. 

The 8 Most Common Reasons Why an AC Won’t Blow Cold Air

The following eight issues are the most common reasons why your AC might stop blowing cold air. Other than performing a quick filter replacement, you’ll likely need professional AC repair contractors to deal with many of these issues. 

1. Dirty Air Filter 

A dirty air filter can occur if you don’t change it frequently enough. Normally, you’re supposed to change the filter every 30 to 90 days, per the manufacturer’s specifications. 

Causes 

Air filters become dirty because their job is to catch any contaminants before they can reach the rest of your AC. Sometimes, filters get extra dirty if you have pets or someone who smokes in your home. A dirty air filter reduces airflow, which can lead to your AC freezing and blowing warm air.

Solutions 

Changing the air filter is the main way to solve this problem. You may need to get professional AC repair if the dirty air filter has impacted other parts of your AC. 

2. Faulty Compressor 

A faulty compressor can cause your AC to stop blowing cold air. If it’s malfunctioning, it can lose its cooling ability or simply be less efficient at cooling your home.

Causes 

Sometimes, a faulty compressor occurs because the air conditioner is old. Malfunctioning compressors are more likely if the unit hasn’t had proper AC maintenance. Anything that puts a strain on the rest of your AC can also cause added wear on your compressor. For example, dirty air filters and low refrigerant make the compressor work harder than it is supposed to. Eventually, it simply breaks down. 

Solutions 

Unfortunately, the compressor isn’t something you can fix yourself. You’ll need professional air conditioner services.

3. Thermostat Issues 

If the thermostat isn’t sensing the temperature and kicking on at appropriate times, your home won’t stay as cold. 

Causes 

The thermostat can malfunction because it’s old or broken. It can also stop sensing the temperature properly if the sensors are dusty or dirty. 

Solutions 

Home air conditioner maintenance may be able to help you get your thermostat working again. First, use the manufacturer’s instructions to reset the thermostat. Then, clean off the sensors. You can also use a reliable thermometer to see if the thermostat is reading the temperature correctly.

4. Problems With Your Evaporator Coil 

The evaporator coil is supposed to absorb heat and moisture from the air. If it is dirty or malfunctioning, it stops doing this job. Then, the AC can freeze and stop blowing cold air out.

Causes 

Evaporator coils can get dirty if the air filter is dirty or if the air conditioner hasn’t had regular AC tune-ups. They can also break down over time from normal wear and tear.

Solutions 

The type of AC repair you need will be based on how bad the evaporator coil is. Often, coils can be cleaned and used again. If there is something else wrong with the coil, it may need to be replaced.

5. Low Refrigerant 

When the refrigerant is low, your AC will struggle to cool your home. Low refrigerant levels also increase the odds that your AC will freeze, which can cause it to blow warm air.

Causes 

Refrigerant levels can decline over time. Levels can also change due to leaks. 

Solutions 

If your AC is frozen, you’ll need to wait for it to thaw. A technician can recharge the low refrigerant. If there is a leak, you should turn off your AC and call for professional AC repair to fix it.

6. Blocked Registers 

Blocked vents and registers prevent cold air from entering your rooms. Fortunately, the causes and solutions to this problem are generally quite simple.

Causes 

Often, vents get blocked by potted plants, furniture, clothes, or other items that get tossed on the ground. 

Solutions 

Go through your home and check each vent for blockages. Move anything that is in the way. 

As a part of your annual home air conditioner maintenance, remove the vents and clean them with soapy water. Let them dry completely. Before putting the vents back in, vacuum the ducts to remove any dust and dirt. 

7. Leaky Ducts 

If there is a duct leak, cold air can escape into your walls and attic instead of reaching your rooms. 

Causes 

This type of problem often happens if the duct pulls away from the vent. It can also occur if openings occur along the joints. 

Solutions 

Leaky ducts are typically repaired by sealing the connections between each duct and vent.

8. Tripped Breakers

Many air conditioners have two breakers. Sometimes, the outdoor breaker will get tripped. If the indoor breaker is still running, you’ll feel warm airflow in your home.

Causes 

A tripped breaker can happen for many reasons. If it continues to trip, you’ll need to arrange for a professional HVAC technician to check out your AC.

Solutions 

After making sure nothing else seems wrong, try flipping the breaker switch. If it immediately trips again, there is an underlying problem. Because this could be faulty electrical wiring or a similar hazard, it’s important to avoid using your AC until your technician can look at it.

Get Help Diagnosing and Repairing Your AC Problems Today

By getting a routine AC tune-up each year, you can prevent your air conditioner from breaking down. When breakdowns do occur, our AC repair contractors can help you quickly diagnose the issue. Then, we can discuss your air conditioner repair options.

To find out how we can help when your AC isn’t blowing cold air, reach out to our experienced HVAC team today.