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Guide · Updated

Why your AC isn't cooling: 12 causes, from easy to serious

The AC is running, the house isn't getting cooler. Here are the twelve usual suspects in three groups, so you know what you can handle and when to stop.

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Things you can check yourself

  1. Thermostat in the wrong mode or fan set to On.
  2. Dirty filter. The most common cause of weak airflow.
  3. Closed or blocked vents and returns. Closing lots of vents doesn't push air elsewhere; it restricts the whole system.
  4. Blocked outdoor unit. Keep two feet clear. Rinse the coil gently with the power off.
  5. Tripped breaker. Reset once only.

Common repairs

  1. Failed capacitor. The outdoor unit hums but doesn't start.
  2. Burned contactor. The switch that powers the outdoor unit.
  3. Clogged condensate drain. Trips the float switch and stops cooling.
  4. Low refrigerant. A leak to find and fix, not just a top-up.

The serious ones

  1. Frozen evaporator coil. Turn off and thaw; find the cause.
  2. Failed blower motor. Little or no air from the vents.
  3. Failed compressor. On an older system, often the point to replace. See repair or replace.

Don't run it into the ground

If it isn't cooling after the basic checks, turn cooling off rather than letting it run all day. A system running with low refrigerant or a frozen coil can turn a modest repair into a compressor. Our step-by-step AC not cooling page walks through it.

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Quick answers

What's the most common reason an AC stops cooling in summer?

In South Florida, failed capacitors, clogged drain lines and dirty filters top the list, all partly driven by heat, humidity and long runtimes.

How long should I wait before calling?

If the basic checks don't fix it within about half an hour, call. Sooner if there's ice, water or a burning smell.

Keep reading

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