Do you like to hold out as long as you can before you turn on you A/C unit for the summer. As daytime temperatures rise into the triple digits, and longer days mean that night time temperatures don’t drop as much as they used to, it’s inevitable that you will have to bite the bullet and crank up the A/C. Sometimes when you hit the switch the cold air just doesn’t want to flow. Uh oh! Where’s the cold Air!!! What do you do? Following the three steps below before making the call to your local HVAC repairman could save you some embarrassment, and money.
Check Your Filter
It seems like something as small as having a dirty filter couldn’t possibly cause your system to stop blowing cold air, but that’s exactly what happens. Your system needs proper air flow in order to work at full capacity. Diminished air flow leads to the coils being too cold and freezing up. Who would have thought that ice could make your cooling system stop working? Make sure you are changing your air filters on a regular basis.
Check Your Thermostat
Your thermostat is another easy thing to check that could be your problem. For those of you with kids, it is probably not unusual for them to “play” with things that are not toys. Make sure your thermostat settings have not been changed. The fan setting should be on Auto, to prevent it from running unnecessarily. Even if the fan is blowing, cold air only comes out when the A/C system is running. Check that the thermostat is set to cooling and not heating. The thermostat can’t tell the A/C what to do it there is no power going to it. Check your batteries, if your thermostat doesn’t have wired power.
Check Your Outside Unit
Depending on which type of A/C unit you have your condensing unit will either be on top of the roof, this is an all in one or package unit, or it will be on the ground next to the house, this is a split unit. Check the unit to make sure that it is not clogged by leaves, grass, or other debris. You should remove any large blockages, then you can carefully vacuum the condenser fins, and follow that up by gently hosing off the fins to remove any remaining dirt. Having 2 to 3 feet of space on all sides of your outside unit will help with keeping it debris free.
Call a Professional
If you have done all of the above and still find yourself saying “Where’s the cold Air!!!” It’s time to call a professional. They will be able to tell you if you have a coolant leak, leaky duct work, which could pull hot-dusty air from the attic into your home, or if it’s time to replace the unit.