What should you do if you are wondering why your AC has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all? The final nightmare you don’t want is to wake up or come home and discover your AC has stopped blowing cold air or it is not working at all. It is possible that you, your family, and any pets you may have will suffer health risks due to this very uncomfortable situation.
When you notice a problem, you should act as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the heat becomes unbearable before you take action. When you are uncertain about HVAC service, it is always a wise idea to contact a professional.
The reason why your HVAC unit has stopped circulating cold air can be caused by a number of reasons, and this might be the reason why your AC has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all. In some cases, you can take care of the problem yourself, while in others, you will need the assistance of a professional.
Here are a couple of symptoms to look for when your AC has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all and how to fix the issue.
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Is there a reason why a central AC system has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all?
For a deeper understanding of why your AC stopped blowing cold air or is not working properly, it will be beneficial to know how it works.
There is a liquid refrigerant that is used in your air conditioning unit. The liquid passes over the indoor coils of your evaporator in order to absorb the heat that is present inside your home. In the process of absorbing heat, this liquid is transformed into an icy gas by absorbing heat. By blowing across those refrigerant-cooled coils, the AC unit circulates cold air through the ductwork to warm the home.
After releasing heat into the outdoor air, the gas-form of the refrigerant transforms into a liquid at the outdoor condensing unit. As a result of this cycle, your home continues to be cooled over and over again. It is possible for a variety of factors to be the reason why your AC has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all.
In this article, we will look at the top 5 reasons as to why your AC has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all.
1. There is a leak or a low level of refrigerant.
The chemical that moves the complete process is called refrigerant, most notably Puron or R410A.
If your central AC has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all, the problem may be with the refrigerant. It may be necessary to add more refrigerant to the unit if it is running low on refrigerant.
I believe that there is a very good chance that this is the result of a leak in the system. In addition to preventing the AC unit from cooling properly, leaks can cause other problems in the home as well. When your home isn’t kept cool enough, humidity levels can rise, making it feel hotter than it is because it feels humid.
If you are concerned that your HVAC system is leaking refrigerant, contact an HVAC expert right away. An AC that has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all should be easy to diagnose and repair if the leak is not too large.
2. You have a dirty or clogged air conditioner filter.
If your AC has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all, dirty or clogged filters may be to blame. All year, these filters work overtime to trap hair, lint, dust, and pollen that might be present in the air. It doesn’t take long for them to fill up without regular replacement if they aren’t changed.
When this happens, the air cannot flow properly into the home, which could lead to your AC unit shutting down because it is unable to get enough air into it. A malfunctioning air conditioner causes the inside temperature to soar. Filters that are clogged can also lead to parts wearing out faster than they should over time. Evaporator coils and condensers can also suffer damage, causing much larger problems.
In addition to routine cleaning, filters need to be replaced every 3 months. It may be necessary to change your indoor pets’ bedding more often when they are indoor pets.
With the right tools, most indoor air filters can be replaced on your own. If you are uncertain of what filter to use, we recommend consulting a technician.
3. A problem has been identified with the evaporator coil or condenser.
The coils are kept running efficiently by filters such as those mentioned above. Although this is true, even the coils will eventually wear out.
Constant moisture can cause mildew and mold problems on your indoor evaporator coil. By preventing this from happening, UV lights can keep your air cleaner. It is also possible for the coils to freeze up when there is a low refrigerant level in the system.
An HVAC professional should be consulted if coil issues cause major disruptions within the air conditioning unit.
A condenser may also wear out over time as a result of constant use. This should also be checked when your AC has stopped blowing cool air or is not working at all.
4. There are some registers on the AC that are blocked or clogged.
It is just as common as clogged air filters to have clogged registers (or vents) that restrict airflow. Air is drawn into the system through return air registers, and conditioned air is blown into the home by supply vents. Both of these can cause problems if they become clogged.
A faulty ductwork will affect the cooling system as well if the ventilation system is blocked or leaky. You may be losing cold air from your attic if you have a hole or tear in your ductwork. Your ductwork system’s cooling can be affected by leaks caused by mice and rats that live in your attic.
Rooms with vents may feel warmer when something restricts the flow of air near them. Your ducts that supply conditioned air to your home or office may have a ventilation problem.
Furthermore, vents can sometimes be accidentally closed by mistake as well. If a particular room is particularly warm, verify that the supply vent is fully open.
You will eventually come to a point where you will have to spend more and more money to repair your HVAC unit. When that occurs, you may want to consider replacing your system.
5. There is a problem with the thermostat if your AC has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all.
It is at the thermostat that all the action begins. When the room’s air temperature exceeds the control setting, the AC will turn on. To start with, make sure that the thermostat settings have not been changed. It is recommended that you set the setting to auto or cool. In some cases, the thermostat is set to heat rather than cool, which is causing the problem.
The thermostat may be at fault if it is set correctly, but the AC has stopped blowing cold air and is still not turning on. If you think the batteries need to be replaced, you should check them and replace them if necessary. A call to an AC professional will be needed in case that still does not resolve the issue.
There is a need for maintenance if Your AC Has Stopped Blowing Cold Air or Is not working at all.
It is very important that you maintain your central air conditioning unit on a regular basis, just as you would any other machine in your home. Professionals should change the filters and examine all other working components.
HVAC maintenance tune-ups should be performed at least twice a year according to the standard recommendation. The most suitable time to do this is in the spring and in the fall. It is imperative to perform any necessary adjustments to your HVAC system before the weather gets hot or cold.
Then, not only will your unit run efficiently, but you’ll also reduce the chance of unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.
There Are Many Ways to Combat the Heat with Expert HVAC Service.
In hot weather, your air conditioner or heat pump needs to be working at its peak. However, in the event that your AC has stopped blowing cold air or is not working at all, your home will quickly become unbearably hot.
In some cases, the cause of this problem can be quite simple, while in others, it can be quite complex. If you’re not 100% sure of the problem, it’s in your best interest and that of your family to have an HVAC professional assess it.
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