Why Is My AC Not Blowing Cold Air?

Has this ever happened to you? You want to turn down your AC, but instead of a cool blast of air, all you get is a puff of hot air. What’s going on? Air conditioning problems are frustrating and expensive to fix. Here are some tips on troubleshooting and repairing these issues yourself!

Reason 1: The Air Filter is Dirty

A dirty air filter is one of the most common reasons for your AC not blowing cold air. Your AC unit pulls in air from the outside, circling through the evaporator coils. The evaporator coils are what removes heat and humidity from the air, making it cool. However, if the air filter is dirty, it can restrict airflow and prevent the coils from doing their job properly. As a result, your AC unit will blow out warm air.

To clean or replace the air filter, first locate the filter. The location will vary depending on your AC unit, but it is typically behind the return-air grille or in the blower compartment. Once you have located the filter, remove it and inspect it. If the filter is clean, you can put it back in place. However, if the filter is dirty, you will need to replace it with a new one.

Reason 2: Low Refrigerant Levels

Another common reason for your AC not blowing cold air is low refrigerant levels. Refrigerant helps cool the air as it circulates through the evaporator coils. If there is not enough refrigerant, the coils will not be able to remove enough heat from the air, causing your AC unit to blow out warm air.

There are a few ways to tell if your AC unit is low on refrigerant:

1. Check for any leaks in the refrigerant line. If you see a leak, you will need to repair it before adding more refrigerant.
2. Check the temperature of the air coming out of the vents. If it is not as cold as it should be, this could be a sign that the unit is low on refrigerant.
3. Check the pressure of the refrigerant using a pressure gauge. If it is low, this is another indication that the unit needs more refrigerant.

If you suspect your AC unit is low on refrigerant, it is best to call the professionals at Parker’s Heating and Air for help. Refrigerant can be dangerous to handle if you are not trained in its proper use.

Reason 3: The Evaporator Coils are Frozen

The evaporator coils are responsible for removing heat and humidity from the air. If the coils get too cold, they can freeze over. When this happens, airflow is restricted, and your AC unit will blow out warm air.

There are a few reasons why the evaporator coils might freeze:

1. The air filter might be dirty, which we discussed earlier. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and cause the coils to get too cold.
2. The thermostat might be set too low. If the thermostat is set below 70 degrees, it can cause the coils to freeze.
3. There might be a refrigerant leak. A leak can cause the coils to lose pressure and become too cold.

If the evaporator coils are frozen, you will need to thaw them out before your AC unit will work properly again. To do this, turn off the AC unit and let it thaw for about an hour. Once the coils have thawed, you can turn the unit back on and see if it is blowing cold air.

We hope these tips help troubleshoot your AC unit. Air conditioning problems can be frustrating, but now you have a better understanding of the most common solutions. If you are still having trouble or would like to schedule a repair, don’t hesitate to contact Parker’s Heating & Air today! We would be happy to help get your AC unit up and running again with our AC Repair, Installation, and Maintenance services.