What To Do (yourself!) if AC is Not Blowing Cold Air

If your air conditioner is running but not blowing cool air, there are a few things you can check before calling an HVAC technician. Check out our simple list below of things you can do to (possibly) fix it yourself!

Note: always call an HVAC pro if you are not sure what to do. A good tech will show you the problem and how to fix it yourself if it is a simple one.

Check the filter

If your air conditioner’s filter is extremely old and dirty, there is a good chance it is inhibiting your unit from cooling your home. A general rule of thumb it to replace your filter every 90 days (when in use). If your filter is clean and/or fairly new, move on to the steps below.

Check the coils

When your filter goes long stretches without being cleaned or replaced, dust and debris tends to build up on the evaporator coils. This will inhibit heat transfer, making your ac unit work much harder to cool your home, warmer air, and a higher energy bill. Your unit will also blow warm air if the coils are leaking refrigerant, and if this is the case, turn the unit off and call an HVAC tech as soon as possible.

To clean the coils, turn off the unit, remove the access panel, and blow the debris off the coils with compressed air. Make sure to aim the compressed air in the opposite direction of normal airflow so you are not directing the debris into the ductwork.

Check for ice

If your air conditioner is pushed to the limit or there is a lack of airflow, ice can build up and cause the unit to blow warm air or no air at all. If you see ice on the evaporator coils, turn off the air conditioner and let the ice thaw. You can run the fan through your thermostat to slightly speed the process, but make sure the AC unit is completely off.

Once the coils are free of ice and completely dry, you will want to find the source of the problem before turning the unit back on. The common culprits are a dirty filter, dirty evaporator coils, or a refrigerant leak. The first two you can fix yourself, but a refrigerant leak needs to be taken care of by a professional.

Check the thermostat

Sometimes your blower fan is running but the air conditioner is not actually on, making you think the air conditioner is blowing warm air. Check your thermostat and make sure it is set to Auto, not On.

If your Denver Metro Area air conditioner is blowing warm air, give the pros at CT Heating & Air a call. We would be happy to repair the ac unit for you and show you how to avoid this from happening again. Call us at 303-842-8362 or contact us online today!