central air conditioner on exterior of house

Is Your Central AC Not Blowing Cold Air? Here Are Some Helpful Tips

If your central AC is not blowing cold air, it may be time to call in a professional.

However, before you do that, there are some things you can try yourself.

In this post, you’ll learn some of the most common causes of a central AC unit not blowing cold air and provide helpful tips on how to fix them. Stay cool.

woman's hand setting temperature on digital thermostat

Check for Leaks

The first thing you’ll want to do is check for leaks. Leaks can occur in the ductwork, which can cause the unit not to blow cold air. Look for any cracks or holes in the ductwork and seal them with duct tape.

If you’re unsure how to locate the leaks, you can contact a professional AC repair company to help you.

The leaks sometimes occur due to cracks in the foundation of your home. These cracks can be caused by settling, weather changes, or even insects. If you think this might be the case, you’ll want to seek help fast.

Nowadays, you can find online platforms with details on what is best to do. When seeking technical advice from Blue Water Climate Control, taking time to read about how to locate and fix cracks is readily available.

It’s best to take action as soon as you see any problem to avoid extensive damage. The knowledge can as well help you prevent the problem from recurring again in the future.

Check the Thermostat Settings

If the thermostat is set to “heat” instead of “cool,” it can cause the unit not to blow cold air. Also, if the temperature is too high, the unit will work harder to reach that temperature and may not blow as cold air.

To fix this, you’ll need to change the thermostat settings. Set it to “cool,” and make sure the temperature is set lower than the current room temperature. This will help the unit work more efficiently.

Also, if you have a programmable thermostat, you’ll want to ensure it’s set correctly.

Check the Evaporator Coil

If the evaporator coil is dirty, it can also cause issues. The evaporator coil is located inside the unit and helps to remove heat from the air. If it’s dirty, it won’t be able to remove the heat as effectively, and the unit will blow warm air.

To clean the evaporator coil, you’ll need to turn off the power to the unit and remove the access panel. Once you access the coil, you can brush it off with a soft brush. Be careful not to damage the coil.

Once it’s clean, you can put the panel back on and turn the power back on.

Inspect the Air Filter

Air filters can also cause central AC units to malfunction if they are old or not the correct size. If you have an old air filter, it may be time to replace it. Also, if the air filter is too small, it can restrict the airflow and cause the unit not to work as efficiently.

To find the right size air filter, you’ll need to measure the width and height of the opening. After having the dimensions, you can purchase an air filter the same size. Be sure to check the packaging to make sure it’s rated for your AC unit. For example, if your AC unit has a 14 inch width and height opening, then you would purchase a 14x14x1 air filter. Make sure that the packaging states this type of filter is compatible with your AC unit before purchasing it so there are no surprises later on!

Also, have a regular filter cleaning schedule to ensure your unit can function correctly. A good rule of thumb is to change or clean the filter every three months. This proactive measure ensures your unit can function at peak levels.

Check the Condenser Unit

The condenser unit is located outside your home and helps remove the heat from the air. If this unit is dirty, it can cause the unit to blow warm air.

You’ll need to turn off the power and remove the access panel to clean the condenser unit. Once you access the inside of the unit, you can clean it with a soft brush. Be careful not to damage the coils.

Once it’s clean, you can put the panel back on and turn the power back on.

Clogged Registers

The registers are the openings that allow air to flow into your home. If they are clogged with dust and dirt, it can restrict the airflow and make the unit work harder.

The right way to do the cleaning is to turn off the power to the unit and remove the register covers. After that, you can vacuum out the debris from the registers. Be sure to get in all the nooks and crannies, so the airflow isn’t restricted.

After vacuuming the registers, you can turn the covers back on and turn the power back on. You may need to do this for all of the registers in your home so that the unit can work properly.

There are a few things that you can do if your central AC unit is not blowing cold air.

By following these tips, you can get your unit up and running again in no time.

It would be best if you were patient in checking every detail of your unit so that you can identify the problem and apply the appropriate fix.