The summer is almost here, and with it comes scorching heat and oppressive humidity. The summer months in Lehigh Valley are known for week-long heatwaves with temperatures over 90° F and humidity levels to match. It is the perfect time to turn on your AC and get some relief from the hot summer sun.
Yet, many homeowners face the unpleasant reality of an air conditioner that doesn’t blow cold air when they first turn it on for the season. Why isn’t your AC blowing cold air? There are several reasons why someone’s air conditioner won’t do its job. Here we will discuss some of the factors that may be contributing to the lack of cold air coming from the unit.
Check Your Thermostat
One of the simplest and most common reasons an air conditioner won’t blow cold air is an incorrectly set thermostat. Many times homeowners will forget to set their thermostat to “Cool” following the winter season when it is normally set to “Heat.” Another incorrect setting may involve the temperature. If the thermostat is set too high, the air conditioner will not supply the home with cold air.
An Obstructed Air Filter
If you haven’t recently changed the air filter for your HVAC unit, this could cause your air conditioner not to blow cold air. Air filters should be changed on a monthly basis, and if you haven’t been doing so, your filter may become blocked with excessive dust and dirt. This will inhibit the AC’s ability to send cold air throughout your home. In addition to preventing your air conditioner from cooling, a clogged air filter is extremely hard on your home’s HVAC system and may result in further damage down the road.
Loss of Refrigerant
Refrigerant is essential to the correct operation of your air conditioning system. The refrigerant in your AC is self-contained and should never run low, yet a leak will cause the loss of refrigerant. If you hear a whistling sound or notice an unusual build-up of ice on your air conditioning unit, chances are you are dealing with a refrigerant leak. Once a certain amount of refrigerant has been expelled from the unit due to a leak, your air conditioner will not be able to cool the air inside your home.
A Dirty Condenser
Your air conditioner’s condenser is located outside, leaving it exposed to the elements. When dirt and debris enter the condenser, they inhibit the unit’s ability to effectively and efficiently cool air. Your air conditioner will struggle to pull air from the outside to cool and distribute throughout the home. An obstructed condenser also increases the likelihood of unit failure as your AC will need to work harder and harder to overcome the blocked condenser.
Get Out of the Heat and Into the Cool With Curtis Total Service
Curtis Total Service is a leading HVAC service provider in Lehigh Valley, PA, and the surrounding areas. If you discover your air conditioner isn’t cooling the home as it should, contact our trained and certified AC technicians for fast, reliable, and affordable service. We also provide air conditioning installations and ductwork cleaning. Don’t wait until your AC experiences a critical failure! Contact the professionals at Curtis Total Service to help keep your home cool this summer season.