There you are, standing in front of your freezer with a towel full of ice pressed against the back of your neck. You’re not alone—we’ve all been there. It’s the hottest day of the year and the humidity is so thick that it feels like you’re swimming in the air—and that’s the day your air conditioner decides to stop working. How rude.
As frustrating and uncomfortable as it is to have your air conditioner stop blowing cold air when you need it most, you shouldn’t freak out. We are going to cover a few reasons why your AC decided to go haywire, how to regularly maintain your system, and what to do if the issue you’re facing is more complex than a simple air filter replacement.
Why My AC Is Not Blowing Cold Air?
Reliable cool air is crucial—especially if you live in a hot, humid climate where temperatures reach into triple-digits. The last thing you want to walk into after a long day is a hot, stuffy, and downright miserable home.
From dirty air filters to frozen evaporator coils, things can go awry with your air conditioner when you least expect it—and even the smallest problems can cause your energy costs to rise. Luckily, we can pinpoint a few issues that could lead to your system’s malfunction. Check out these five reasons why your AC is not blowing cold air and keep reading for one guaranteed way to fix them all.
1. Damaged Air Ducts
There’s a possibility that your air ducts are torn. When this happens, hot air from your attic has the opportunity to enter your air ducts and blow straight into your home. There are several reasons why your air ducts can tear with the most common reason being deterioration due to age, rodents, and construction mistakes. Let the professionals at Hutchinson get to the bottom of your air conditioning problems and have an expert give your AC a check-up today.
2. Low Refrigerant Level
Ever wonder how your air conditioner cools your home off so fast? You can thank your refrigerant. Refrigerant is a chemical coolant called Freon that absorbs the heat from your home to cool things down quickly. However, if your system doesn’t have enough refrigerant (or Freon) to blow cold air into your home, then you could be facing a refrigerant leak. Because Freon is an EPA-regulated chemical, only licensed professionals like the experts at Hutchinson can repair and refill any refrigerant leaks. Get in touch with a Hutchinson technician for 24/7 repair services.
3. Damaged Heat Pump
It’s no question that outdoor heat pumps are susceptible to damage. Heat pumps can deteriorate over time due to critters, debris, and the elements. Leaks can happen and coils can freeze, leaving you with an uncomfortable, half-cooled home. And as you know, half-cooled just doesn’t cut it in the blistering summer heat. Make sure your air conditioning system is in top working condition with Hutchinson’s check-up services.
4. Frozen Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is an indoor component of your air conditioning system and its location is dependent on whether you have a furnace or fan coil. Basically, warm air that passes through the evaporator coil removes the heat and humidity from the air and generates cooler, more comfortable air in your home. Sometimes, the evaporator coil can freeze, resulting in hotter air and higher utility bills. Unless you are an HVAC professional, it’s smart to book an appointment with the experts at Hutchinson to resolve your frozen evaporator coil.
5. Dirty Air Filter
You know an air filter is dirty when you see it. It’s unmistakable. Air filters notoriously catch dirt, dust, and debris as they enter the air handler unit, keeping the system clean and your home’s air clear. However, we’re all human and sometimes we forget to replace our air filters. This leads to dust-caked air filters obstructing the airflow into your home. Sometimes, the dirty air filter can even cause your system to shut down altogether.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a dirty air filter with a clean one can lower your energy consumption bill by 5% to 15%. In the end, it really pays to replace your air filters.
Keep Up With Regular AC Maintenance
You wouldn’t buy a car and not maintain it, right? The same goes for your air conditioner. Like any machine, your air conditioner needs regular maintenance. Maintaining your air conditioner will not only extend its lifespan, but you’ll save money by improving its overall functionality and avoiding any early replacement.
Now, you might be asking something along the line of, “I’m not an HVAC professional, how am I supposed to maintain my AC?” The most important thing you can do to regularly maintain your air conditioner is to replace your air filters every three months. This is a quick and easy way to ensure your air conditioner is functioning properly. By regularly replacing filters, you can avoid dust and gunk buildup that could cause your system to malfunction. Not only that, but a dirty air filter can cause issues with asthma and allergies.
Stay on top of your AC maintenance and you will notice a decrease in any additional costs.
Call the Professionals When Your AC Is Not Blowing Cold Air
Remember that guaranteed fix mentioned above? Here it is. If you’ve replaced your air filter and your air conditioner is still not cooling down your home, then it’s time to let the expert HVAC technicians at Hutchinson step in. Hutchinson realizes that air conditioning issues can happen at the most inconvenient times. That’s why it doesn’t matter if it’s in the middle of the afternoon or at midnight—the experts at Hutchinson are here to help resolve your air conditioning problems regardless of the time of day. We offer expert AC services from 10-point check-ups to emergency repairs.
Your comfort matters, so if you find yourself in this sticky situation, then don’t hesitate to call Hutchinson. We proudly service the New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia Area—so you and your family can stay cool all summer long.
Beat the heat and contact Hutchinson to schedule a service today.