AC Unit Not Keeping Up in Arlington, Va

Imagine switching on your cooling unit on an 88-degree summer day and breathing in a sigh of relief as you hear the motor release a sweet hum, indicating it’s cooling the house down. You wait for your entire room to fill with the crisp controlled air. But what if you start wondering, “Why is my AC unit in Arlington VA running but not cooling?”

Unfortunately, having the fan and blower motor function to no avail is not uncommon and leaves many Arlington, Virginia residents in shock and terror. Luckily, 42 Degrees Heating & Cooling helps you find answers and solutions fast. 

Warm Air Flow Caused By Dirty Coils

What if you’re receiving proper airflow, but it’s not the air you want? When something halts the heat transfer process, room-temperature air escapes the vents, meaning the air didn’t receive conditioning in the unit. 

The air handlers suck in warm air, sending it over the evaporator coil that has refrigerant flowing within. The coolant absorbs the hot air, carrying it to the outdoor condenser unit for expulsion. Only cool air left behind releases indoors, but with dirty or frozen evaporator coils, the transfer doesn’t take place to cool your Arlington home.

So if you’re wondering, “Why is my AC unit running but not cooling?” call a 42 Degrees to clean or defrost the coils and check refrigerant levels in Arlington, VA.

No Air Flow Due to Blocked Filters and Ducts

Air filters clean the air, trapping dirt, dust, pet dander, and other contaminants that pass through the mesh surface so it doesn’t settle on internal components (slowing down parts) or reenter your breathing air. 

After a while, the debris builds up, creating an impenetrable wall that allows allergens to stop airflow. Little to no air trickles out of your unit or air duct vents although the air conditioner is running, meaning your filters need replacing or cleaning. If the filters are fine, consider duct cleaning instead.

Short Cycling

If your AC unit runs in stops and starts without reaching the desired temperature, that means it is short cycling. It is understandable to think that it is broken and a replacement will be needed, but that is not necessarily the case. An air conditioning unit can short cycle for a variety of reasons, some of which are quite easy fixes. Scheduling a tune-up with someone from our team can help identify the reason for the short cycling. Being that it could be as small of a problem as your air filter, you should definitely not immediately plan for getting a new AC unit altogether, at least, not before one of our technicians has a chance to have a look at it.

Leaking Around Unit

If you notice moisture leaking into or around your AC unit, this is a problem. The leak could be refrigerant, which is poisonous and needs to be handled by a professional. There is also the possibility that the moisture that you are noticing is water that is coming from the tube that is meant to dispose of condensation. Sometimes, this tube can become blocked or broken. Other scenarios that could indicate leaking moisture include when ice is present inside the unit or along the condenser’s copper refrigerant lines.

Evaporator Coil Has Block of Ice

If your air conditioner’s evaporator coil has a thick block of ice, turn your AC off and toggle your thermostat from “AUTO” to “FAN.” Blowing warm air over this component will accelerate defrosting. Although you may be able to turn your AC back on after all ice has melted, you’ll still need to address the underlying cause of icing. This may be a dirty air filter or a dirty evaporator coil. In most cases, coil icing indicates the need for professional AC maintenance.

Check Your Thermostat’s Setting

It may be that your air conditioner isn’t working simply because your thermostat isn’t telling it to. If you haven’t had your AC professionally serviced in more than a year, it’s time to have your thermostat calibrated. Sometimes homeowners mistakenly set their ACs to “FAN” rather than “AUTO.” This causes fan motors to engage for constant airflow, but it never initiates a cooling cycle.

Schedule Professional AC Repair In Arlington VA

After you’ve identified and eliminated airflow obstructions, schedule professional AC repairs. Attempting to fix your own air conditioner is dangerous. Not only can do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs result in the loss of your AC manufacturer’s warranty, but they also pose the risk of electrocution, electrical fires, and exposure to harmful refrigerants.

Scheduling AC repairs in a timely fashion prevents minor problems from spiraling out of control. It’s also the best way to protect your indoor air quality and your general health.