Clear the clog and see if the air conditioner is cooling now.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nSome air conditioners have a condensate water overflow protection where the compressor will stop running if the condensate pump malfunction or the EZ trap is clogged. This can be fixed by replacing the condensate pump<\/strong> or clearing the clog in the drain line<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDirty Air Filter & Coil – Low Airflow & Frozen Coil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n If your air conditioner has a very dirty air filter, the evaporator coil can be very dirty as well. Consequently, the airflow will be lesser than before. So, your air conditioner won’t be cooling as much as before. In addition, you may find your refrigerant pipes freezing up. That’s a clear symptom of low evaporator airflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, clean up the air filter and check if the evaporator coil needs cleaning as well. After that, see if the airflow is back to normal and your air conditioner starts cooling properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weak Fan Motor – Spinning Slowly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n A malfunctioning fan motor will spin slowly and thus, deliver less airflow. When there is not enough airflow, your air conditioner won’t be cooling as much as before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’ve checked the air filter and evaporator coil and they seem to be just fine but the airflow is still less than before, then the evaporator fan motor may be weakening and needs to be repaired or replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Airflow Obstruction – Dusty Duct & Blocked Registers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n After many years, ducts can get very dusty inside. Some registers or vents can get completely blocked by dust and dirt. As a result, the airflow is lesser and so does the cooling.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n
Dirty Return Vent<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIf your air handler seems to be working just fine, you might want to check out the registers and vents to see if they’re blocked. Check the return air grille and see if it is dirty. If possible, climb up and check the condition of the flexible ducts. If they’re very dirty or torn, get them replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Refrigerant Leak<\/h2>\n\n\n\n It is possible that your air conditioner is low on refrigerant due to a minor leak somewhere in the pipeline. When your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, it won’t be cooling as much as possible despite having enough airflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, check if the air coming out of the registers or vents are as cold as before. If you feel that it is significantly less cold than before, your air conditioner may be low on refrigerant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Undersized Air Conditioner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n An undersized air conditioner will not have sufficient cooling capacity to handle a big house. On normal days, the air conditioner can provide adequate cooling but during hot days, it won’t be cooling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’ve checked everything and now suspect your air conditioner is undersized, try to use the rule of thumb to check. Take the cooling capacity of the air conditioner (BTU) and divide it by the total floor area of your house (square feet). Usually, you’ll end up with around 20-30 BTU per square foot. Otherwise, your air conditioner may be undersized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, before you conclude, try to remember if your air conditioner was working fine all the while and just got warmer recently. Maybe it is just too hot outside and your air conditioner is struggling. Even an adequately sized air conditioner can struggle during exceptionally hot days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To improve the situation, make sure to close all windows and doors, and set the temperature to the lowest and fan to the highest. Wait it out and see if your house gets colder later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n When an air conditioner is not cooling but the fan is running, the most probable cause is a wrong thermostat setting followed by a fault capacity, a faulty compressor, dirty air filters and coils, electrical faults and even a refrigerant leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To prevent your air conditioner not cooling during the hottest period, make sure to conduct regular maintenance such as filter replacement, coil cleaning, fan blade cleaning and top-up refrigerant when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many times, air conditioner not cooling is caused by simple problems and it can be fixed in no time with little to no money. Hope you get back to cooling asap!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, consider my Mini Split (eBook)<\/a> if you want to know how can you use Mini Split in your house. If you still have doubt or not feeling confident enough, feel free to consult me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Consultation Service<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
Ask me for HVAC advice such as brand selection, best model, benefits, features, placement, duct size, grille size, how to design, design check, verification and other HVAC related queries.<\/p><\/div>\n