When your air conditioner runs but fails to cool your home, it can quickly turn a pleasant day into an uncomfortable experience. Before calling for professional help, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to potentially resolve the issue. Let's explore the most common reasons your AC might be running without cooling and what you can do about them.
What to Do If Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling
What to Do If Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling
Check Your Thermostat Settings
Sometimes the simplest explanation is the correct one. Verify that your thermostat is set to "cool" mode and that the temperature setting is at least 5 degrees below the current room temperature. Make sure the fan is set to "auto" rather than "on," which would run the fan continuously even when the AC isn't cooling. If you have a programmable thermostat, check that the schedule hasn't been inadvertently changed. For smart thermostats experiencing connectivity issues, our technicians at J&M Air Conditioning and Heating can help diagnose and resolve these more complex problems during a service call.
Inspect and Replace Air Filters
Dirty or clogged air filters are among the most common causes of cooling problems. When airflow is restricted, your system can't effectively cool your home and may even freeze up. Locate your return air filter(s) and inspect them – if they appear dirty or haven't been changed in the past 1-3 months, replace them with new ones matching the same size and efficiency rating. This simple air conditioning maintenance task can dramatically improve cooling performance and energy efficiency.
Clear Debris Around the Outdoor Unit
Your AC's outdoor condensing unit needs proper airflow to function correctly. Check for vegetation, leaves, dirt, or other debris blocking the unit's sides or top. Ideally, maintain at least 2 feet of clearance around all sides of the unit. Use a garden hose to gently spray from the inside out to remove accumulated dirt from the fins, being careful not to bend them. If your outdoor unit has significant fin damage or internal debris that you can't safely clear, our experienced J&M technicians can perform a professional cleaning as part of our comprehensive maintenance service.
Look for Ice Formation
If you notice ice building up on your refrigerant lines or evaporator coil, turn off your AC immediately to allow it to thaw. Ice formation typically indicates either airflow problems (potentially from dirty filters) or refrigerant issues. After the system has completely thawed and filters have been changed, you can try restarting it. If the problem persists, it likely requires professional attention, as refrigerant problems must be addressed by licensed HVAC technicians with proper equipment and certification.
Don't suffer through another day without proper cooling. Contact J&M Air Conditioning and Heating at (951) 525-1003 for prompt, reliable service from the team that's been providing comfort to the San Jacinto area since 1967. We'll have your system running efficiently again before you know it!