Why Is My AC Not Blowing Cold Air | AC Is Not Cooling

We’ve all been there. You go to bed in a cool, blissful, and perfectly temperature-controlled room. Dressed in your favorite bedtime attire, nestled under your favorite blanket, sleeping the night away. Only to wake up the following day sweating profusely, gasping for air, and looking for the bottle of water you left by your bed. 

Feeling as if you slept outside in the scorching summer Michigan weather, you get out of bed confused and slightly irritated, and you b-line it to your thermostat, staring in disbelief as it’s set to 70 degrees, but the indoor temperature reads 85 degrees. And no matter how far down you turn the thermostat, the air flowing from your vents is not cold. Frantically looking for reasons why your AC won’t blow cold air, you landed on this article. So, to not waste time, let’s get into it.

AC (Air Conditioner) units are more than just the condenser (the unit outside your home). Like a car, they have many moving parts. A traditional split system will contain your AC and your air handler or furnace (located in your home’s mechanical room). These parts include evaporator coils, air filters, thermostats, refrigerant lines, fans, blower motors, etc. This is why it’s always a good idea to get annual maintenance done to help prevent issues and avoid costly ac repairs.

That said, there are several reasons and answers to your question, “Why is My AC Not Blowing Cold Air?” But before you get too worried, just because your system isn’t blowing cold air doesn’t automatically mean a costly AC repair or that you will need to replace it. 

Luckily, there are a few basic troubleshooting steps you can do that may resolve the issue. If these don’t work, call us at (line) or schedule a diagnostic visit here: () Our professionally trained technicians are here to help.  

Reasons Why Your AC Is Not Cooling Your Home.

Unfortunately, there are many reasons your AC is running but not blowing cold air. Reasons can range from minor thermostat issues and dirty filters to technical situations requiring a trained technician’s help. Read on as we outline some things you can check before calling a professional technician.

Check Your Thermostat – It Could Be Programmed or Set Incorrectly

If you notice that the rooms in your home are getting unusually warm when your AC is supposed to be cooling them, ensure that your thermostat is set to cool. Also, double-check the temperature setting to be sure your spouse, child, or family member hasn’t changed it. Lastly, check to ensure the thermostat is not set to dry mode or off. If it is, switch your thermostat to the cooling operation. Once switched to the cooling operation, if your system is blowing cold air, your problem is solved; yay! If not, the next thing you should check is your filter.

Your Air Filter Is Clogged

This is a simple step that most people can do. Generally, we recommend changing your air filter twice a year (preferably every six months). However, past experiences have shown that homeowners don’t always follow these recommendations. 

The filter, located in the media cabinet between your furnace/air handler and your boot, connects to the duct system and protects your furnace/air handler from dirt, dust, and other airborne particles. The filter helps keep the components inside the system cleaner and allows them to operate efficiently. A dirty air filter can significantly reduce airflow and cooling in your home. In extreme cases, it can cause your system to work harder and eventually shut it down completely.

You should inspect your filter if your AC isn’t blowing cold air. After inspection, you’ll need to investigate further if your filter has already changed or is in good shape, and your AC is still not cooling.    

The Condenser Coils Are Blocked

If your AC is running but your inside temperature is not reducing, another issue could be that your condenser coils are blocked. When you set your AC to a lower temperature in your home, your condenser fan and compressor turn on. The compressor begins to pump a fluid called refrigerant throughout the system. During this process, refrigerant is changed from a vapor to a liquid to move heat from inside your home outside.

Once the vapor is compressed, it leaves as a high-pressure vapor that travels through the condenser coil, where it condenses into a liquid. As the vapor travels through the condenser coil, it cools, releasing the heat outside your home. The fan inside the unit helps with this process. 

Because the condenser is located outside, it is exposed to the elements. And, as great as the aluminum guards are, dirt, grass, and other airborne debris can accumulate between the fins, clogging the coil. 

A dirty coil can reduce energy efficiency, decrease cool air flow from your registers, and, in extreme cases, cause your system to shut down or damage the compressor due to it being overworked. If your compressor is dirty or clogged, you can attempt to clean the coil by removing the aluminum casing, clearing away the debris, carefully vacuuming the coils, and gently rinsing the coils with a hose. If your AC system is still not cooling your home, you should call a professional technician. 

Read this blog to learn how an AC works: How Do Air Conditioners Work?

Frozen Evaporator Coil

Suppose you notice that you’re experiencing inadequate cooling, higher utility bills, heavy drainage from your condensate drainage, or, in extreme cases, frost forming on the exterior refrigerant tubing or the unit outside. In that case, it’s time to call a professional. 

In most systems, your evaporator coils sit on top of your furnace. If you don’t change your filter or if dirt and debris get caught on and between the coils, over time, this causes dirt and debris to form a blanket of dirt and debris on your evaporator coil, restricting airflow and causing the same effect as having a plugged filter. When this occurs, it causes the unit to work harder and freezes up the evaporator coil. 

To discover if this is the issue, you should call a professional. Because the evaporator coil is difficult to reach, resolving the issues yourself could damage the A-coil, making your day significantly worse.

AC Still Not Blowing Cold Air? Go With The Name You Know And Get it Fixed Today!

If your thermostat isn’t reaching the right temperature and all signs point to professional help, it’s time to call your local HVAC professional. This is important not only for your comfort but also for your wallet and the health of your AC system. Continuing to try to run the AC unit will cause more damage and turn a minor repair into a costly replacement. If you need help diagnosing your AC or want to take advantage of your Randazzo Air Care, our premium maintenance membership, call us today at 586-209-3885 or schedule online here: schedule online.