A Guide To Why Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling – Troubleshooting Guide

It’s a scorching hot summer’s day and you’re looking forward to spending some time on the couch under the cooling relief of your air conditioner. You switch it on, only to find it’s blowing warm air. What???

Unfortunately, it is a common problem, and like most electronic items, general wear and tear is to be expected. However, these days, most modern units should be fully functional for ten years or more. But to last that long, regular servicing by air conditioning professionals is a must. Here’s a guide to why your air conditioner is not cooling, and our recommendations on how to fix the problem.

Thermostat settings

Thermostats in air conditioning systems give accurate temperature readings and allow us to adjust them depending on our heating or cooling requirements. Essentially, if the thermostat isn’t working correctly, not only could your comfort levels be compromised, but also your unit’s energy efficiency.

Firstly, check to see if the thermostat is still at your chosen setting, including the temperature you require. (By the way, the most efficient cooling temperature is between 22 and 24 degrees. Any colder and you could be increasing your energy bills). If the settings are correct, it could be a bigger issue — time to call in the professionals (that’s us)!

Dirty filters

Cleaning your air conditioning unit’s filters regularly is one of the key aspects of air conditioner maintenance.

Internal filters remove dust from the air as it passes through the unit, but they can also stop your unit from overheating. Over time, filters can build up dust, become clogged and restrict the flow of air. This can compromise its cooling ability and its efficiency.

Every six months (at most) you should remove the filter and clean it. It’s a relatively simple process, but it can differ depending on the model of your unit. If you’re wondering how to clean your split air conditioner, check your system’s instruction manual for more details. Online research (including YouTube videos) can also often help!

Issues that you should call in the professionals for

Air conditioners are complex systems, and although you can do minor maintenance yourself, regular maintenance by experienced professionals. Particularly because electricity is involved! Not maintaining your unit regularly can lead to other issues like health problems (like allergies and asthma) or you could be compromising your system’s warranty.

Regular servicing will ensure your unit is operating at an optimal level year-round and it will also improve its efficiency. Some of the specialised services your air conditioning technician will attend to are:

Dirty or frozen coils

These are one of the most important parts of an air conditioning unit, as through a thermodynamic process, hot air is expelled from your home. Coils are commonly susceptible to dust and cobwebs and they can also become icy. A build-up of any of these can reduce your system’s efficiency.

However, coils are not easy to clean yourself — your air conditioning technician will do this as part of your regular maintenance booking. If you do notice ice on your system’s coils, it’s important to book a service ASAP as it can damage the compressor – which is expensive to fix!

Dirty condenser

The condenser is located in the outdoor unit and the outside of it can be cleaned yourself with a quick wipe down with a soapy cloth. You should also make sure weeds and other garden debris are not restricting the airflow of the unit in any way. However, your air conditioning technician will need to service the inside of the unit. Dirty coils, for example, will mean the system needs to work harder and may not be producing cool air efficiently.

Other common reasons units may not be cooling properly include:

• Leaking ducts
• Dirty compressor
• Compressor circuit problem
• Refrigerant deficiency or leak

All need the expertise of a professional, so book your service with us today!

References

• 2021, Aircon Not Blowing Cold Air: What to Do? Global Cool Air
• 2023, Why isn’t my air conditioner turning on? Sun City Air Conditioning