AC Not Cooling? Beware Of These Common AC Problems

Summers in Minnesota can soar over 100 degrees. If your air conditioning isn’t working properly, temperatures like that can be more than uncomfortable — they can be dangerous. Fortunately, you’ll likely notice a few warning signs before your AC kicks the bucket.

To help ensure that your home stays cool all through the summer, Bloomington Heating & Air has compiled a list of seven common air conditioner issues and some simple tips to prevent them from happening in the first place.

Contact us today to learn more and to schedule air conditioning services for your home or business!

AC Refrigerant Leak

Just like how a refrigerator keeps your food cold, refrigerant helps to keep your air conditioner cold. Unfortunately, refrigerant levels can become low when there is a leak in the system. Because the refrigerant removes heat and humidity from the air, a refrigerant leak means trouble for the AC unit. To find any leaks and have them repaired, you’ll need to schedule professional air conditioner repair services.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

When there’s an issue with the airflow around the evaporator coils, they can become frozen. When the coils are frozen, they are unable to absorb heat from the air. Frozen coils are likely to output either warm air or no air at all from the air conditioning supply registers. To help prevent this from happening, replace your dirty air filters frequently to ensure that there’s good airflow.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Because condenser coils are located on the outdoor unit, they’re likely to become covered in dirt and grime over time. If they are too dirty, heated air cannot be removed as efficiently, causing the AC to work harder. In turn, an overworking AC could lead to increased wear on the parts and even a full system failure. To help prevent this, keep the outdoor unit as clean as possible by removing surrounding dirt and debris.

Clogged Drains

An AC unit that’s working properly will pull moisture collected from the air through a drain line, into a pan, and then dispose of it through a drain. If any of these parts become clogged or the pan gets full, the backed up water can cause damage to the system. An AC leaking water can spell big trouble. This damage can become so extensive that it could affect your walls, ceilings, and furnishings, which can lead to mold.

Damaged Ducts

Ducts are the circulatory system in your home or business. If there are any holes or breaks in the ducts, the cooled air can’t move effectively from the air conditioner into your rooms. Instead, the air will end up inside your walls. Not only does this not help you stay cool, but it can make your AC work harder while driving up your energy bills. A certified HVAC technician will need to inspect the air conditioning ducts to assess any damage.

Thermostat Problems

If your air conditioner is working but not cooling, a possible culprit is the thermostat. Outdated or incorrectly calibrated thermostats can cause issues with controlling your AC system. If you have access to the original owner’s manual, you can try to program the thermostat yourself, or you can contact an HVAC company that can send out a technician who will make sure that your thermostat settings are correct.