When temperatures soar high, homeowners depend on air conditioning to keep their homes cool. Inconveniently enough, the AC unit may stop blowing cool air. But why would an AC unit stop blowing cool air in the first place?
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’ve helped homeowners from Oxnard to Laguna Beach and everywhere in between with their AC issues regarding a lack of cool air. We’ve worked on and repaired thousands of air conditioning units for over 15 years. In that time, we’ve identified which issues pop up the most.
An air conditioner may stop blowing cool air for the following reasons.
- Restricted cool airflow
- Refrigerant problems
- Faulty or broken AC unit parts
After gaining the information from this article, you will be able to paint a better picture of what is happening with your air conditioner’s inability to blow cool air and feel confident in finding a solution.
Let’s begin!
Why Isn’t My AC Cooling?
AC Airflow Is Obstructed
A lack of cool air from an AC unit could result from dirty and clogged airflow. Over time, air conditioning systems have a buildup of dirt and other debris that can pile up in the ductwork and venting. With little to no maintenance, AC units can build months and years of dust and dirt to the point where the cool air has trouble traveling through the ducts and vents.
These systems also have air filters that help maintain good air quality and efficient airflow. Air filters must be replaced every three to six months to ensure there are few restrictions to cold airflow.
Replacing an old air filter can improve airflow, and filter replacement is something most homeowners can do on their own. Sometimes, changing a filter isn’t enough for cool air to start blowing again. AC units have ductwork within the walls and attic of a home that transports cool air that may have been damaged, clogged with dirt, or chewed by rodents.
If a professional technician determines that damaged ductwork is responsible for a lack of cool air, then the ductwork can be replaced so that an AC unit can blow cool air without any issues.
Issues with Air Conditioning Refrigerant
Refrigerant leaks commonly cause a lack of cool air in air conditioning systems. AC units rely on refrigerant to absorb heat from inside and blow it outside, resulting in cooler homes.
Under normal conditions, refrigerant doesn’t deplete and instead undergo various physical changes and cycles within an HVAC system. A refrigerant leak over time will unquestionably lead to less efficient airflow until, eventually, there’s a lack of cool air blowing at all.
Unlike a car’s AC system, people should not replenish their home’s air conditioning refrigerant on their own because it is prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA states that qualified and certified should purchase and refill an AC system with refrigerant, especially once the leak is detected and repaired.
An undetected refrigerant leak may affect cool airflow and damage other parts of an AC system that help create and transport cool air.
AC Part Problems
A couple of parts within an air conditioner help create cool air. Although these components work together in the cool air production process, they can experience isolated issues that prevent them from helping to create cool air.
If these parts are defective, they may be covered by the air conditioner manufacturer’s warranty. In the following sections, we’ll review these parts further, starting with the AC compressor.
AC Compressor Issues
A broken or dirty compressor can affect an AC’s ability to provide cool air. An air conditioner’s compressor works with the refrigerant to help remove heat and provide cooler air.
So, when the compressor isn’t working correctly, it is difficult for the AC system to provide cool air because it cannot help remove heat from a home. Refrigerant cycles between liquid and gaseous states with the help of the compressor. With an inoperable compressor, the refrigerant can leak and damage other components aside from lacking the ability to blow cool air.
HVAC tune-ups and annual maintenance can help keep compressors clean. A dirty compressor may struggle to produce cooler air. As a result, it may pull in more energy, leading to higher energy bills while the compressor struggles to produce cool air efficiently.
Like the compressor, the AC evaporator is another component that can impact an AC’s ability to blow cool air.
AC Evaporator Coil Problems
A lack of cool air may have been caused by a defective or damaged evaporator coil struggling to absorb the heat necessary for cooling down a home. Even a dirty evaporator can affect an air conditioner’s efficiency in blowing cool air.
If left unmaintained, dust and debris can accumulate on the evaporator, restricting airflow. Reduced airflow from other factors, like a dirty air filter, may cause the evaporator to freeze.
A frozen evaporator will have difficulty producing cold air and may blow warm air instead. If the evaporator is frozen, turning off the AC and letting it defrost before attempting to cool a house again is recommended. If the evaporator is refrozen, contact a professional technician for assistance.
Besides the evaporator, an AC condenser that isn’t working properly may result in restricted or no cool airflow.
Faulty or Broken AC Condenser Coil
If a central air conditioning system struggles to blow cool air, it may have been caused by a faulty condenser. The condenser is a set of coils that works with the refrigerant to release heat.
Condenser coils are usually made out of aluminum or copper, both good conductors of heat. These coils must be cleaned and intact to help refrigerant release heat, or they may cause a lack of cool air.
Why Is My AC Struggling to Cool?
Air conditioning units may be unable to blow cool air for various reasons. Central air conditioning systems are complex, so pinpointing what exactly is causing them not to blow cool air is difficult for any homeowner to diagnose on their own.
AC units aren’t the only systems capable of blowing cool air. While you wait for a technician to inspect and repair your AC unit, check out these 10 tips and tricks to cool your home.
Although the following list may not apply to your AC unit’s specific issue, it will give you a general idea of what happened until a certified technician performs a diagnostic to confirm.
Addressing a Lack of Cool Air With Air Conditioning
Besides changing an air filter, determining what caused an AC not to blow cool air can be difficult for most homeowners. A certified technician should address any AC issues, but homeowners can still learn about some common reasons why an air conditioning system isn’t blowing cool air. By understanding these technician explanations, homeowners can stay in the loop when discussing AC problems with a technician.
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we built up over 15 years of experience with common and unique air conditioning issues related to a lack of cool air. By working with some of the top HVAC brands, we’ve helped resolve AC issues in homes across Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
If you’re experiencing a lack of cool air with your AC unit, contact us using one of the buttons below. Our certified technicians are available for appointments through our online HVAC repair scheduler.
Your AC unit may need some repairs to blow cool air again. To help prepare you for possible repairs, check out this article that covers the factors that affect the costs of HVAC repair.
