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Rentmeister Total Home Service Blog

“Help! My Cooling System Won’t Cool”

Flushed man feeling hot in front of a fanWith temperatures already on a warming trend, there’s a good chance you’re getting some use from your air conditioner. It might not be for long stretches (we are still getting some cooler weather at night), however you are probably using it enough to discover whether or not you need air conditioning repair in Clearfield, UT. For instance, if you’re using your air conditioner but not feeling air as cool as you should, then there’s a problem!

Clearly, a cooling system that’s not cooling you off isn’t much use to your household! It’s just acting like a fan, and that will not help bring temperatures down. There are a variety of possible causes for this issue. Some are simple and you can correct them yourself, while others are bit more complicated and require the assistance of an HVAC professional. Others are critical, and could leave you facing a premature AC breakdown, so we urge you to call for repairs as soon as you notice lukewarm air or even lower cooling power coming from your AC.

In the meantime, here are some reasons it might be occurring, to help you troubleshoot to potentially avoid a repair call, or at least know what’s going on with your system.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

Maybe you think this is a bit too obvious, but it does happen! We’ve actually received repair calls in the past only to find that the trouble was a thermostat that was either left in heating mode, “fan only” mode, or turned up by another member of the household. Be sure to check for this first and foremost when your air conditioner isn’t cooling as it should be.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

If the circuit breaker connected to the indoor unit of your air conditioner is tripped, then the fan won’t turn on. This should be a big red flag, as your air conditioner won’t turn on at all (be sure to check, if this happens). If, however, the circuit breaker trips for the outside unit, your AC will still run—but it just won’t disperse any cool air since the compressor won’t be operational.

Check to see if any circuits have tripped. Try resetting them to see if the problem is resolved. Hopefully the solution is as simple as that. But if the circuit repeatedly trips, be sure to call our pros!

Refrigerant Leaks

Now we’re getting into the more serious problems that definitely require professional HVAC technicians to assist. Refrigerant is vital to your air conditioner so it can adequately remove heat from the air and provide your home with cooling.

Refrigerant will not run out over time, as dishonest HVAC companies might have you believe, but refrigerant can leak out. This is actually a common problem for air conditioners about halfway through their lifespan (4–6 years). When refrigerant levels drop too low, the air conditioner can lose its cooling ability. Worse, this places the compressor in danger of overheating and burning out, which is a big repair and often the reason people have to replace their cooling system completely.

Malfunctioning Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. It places refrigerant under pressure in order to start the cooling cycle. If that compressor stops working, you won’t feel any cooling because none will be produced. Compressors can become stuck due to a burnt-out motor, a failed start capacitor, or even dirt and subsequent strain on the moving parts causing it to wear out.

Contact your HVAC and plumbing experts at Rentmeister Total Home Service today!

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