Living in a hot climate can cause a lot of inconveniences, especially if your aircon isn’t blowing cold air. Undeniably, the technological advancements in the air conditioning field have greatly improved the way air conditioners work.
Unfortunately, there is one common problem that still plagues homeowners just when you need your aircon to cool things down the most. This is the moment when regardless of the skyrocketing temperatures outside, your aircon refuses to start blowing cold air.
Anyways, that shouldn’t give you any reason to panic. But leaving the problem without a quick solution might get you in even bigger trouble than before. In any case, it is always smart to engage a reputable aircon servicing company that is experienced in such matters.
If you’re wondering why your aircon isn’t blowing cold air, here is a list of some of the reasons. They will give you a good clue on where the problem might be coming from so that you can get your air conditioner to start blowing cold air again.
Helpful read: Common Aircon Problems and How To Fix Them
Why Is My Aircon Not Cold?
To begin with, sometimes things aren’t as complicated as we believe them to be. Your aircon might not be blowing cold air for one simple reason and that’s because you haven’t adjusted your thermostat settings properly.
Whether it’s set to “AUTO” or “ON”, a good idea is to simply reset the thermostat and program it a few degrees lower than the home’s normal temperature. Chances are high that this will work. If there’s still no cold air coming out, then you should move on to the next issue on the list.
Helpful read: Effect of Dirt In Your Aircon System
Tripping Circuit Breaker
But don’t be too quick with presuming the worst. If the problem isn’t in the thermostat settings, it might just be another simple mishap – a circuit breaker tripping.
Breakers trip all the time, especially when there’s too much electricity flowing through it. Typically, every aircon unit is connected to two circuit breakers – one for each of the panels. The problem is that if the outside breaker trips, the condenser coil won’t work, thus leaving your system unable to cool the air in your home.
You can try to fix the issue by resetting the breaker. If it happens again, don’t try to repeat the procedure because it may cause unwanted damage to your aircon. A wiser solution would be to call an expert. He’ll examine the faulty circuit breaker safely and deal with the problem using proper equipment.
Helpful read: Professional Vs DIY Aircon Servicing
Your Air Filter Needs Replacement/Cleaning
Contrary to popular belief, getting an air conditioning system installed in your home doesn’t mean you’ve added yet another appliance or smart gadget. Aircon units require proper care and most of all, regular maintenance.
With this being said, you should check the air filter every now and then. Or at least once a month, to be precise. Leaving your air filter dirty will eventually start impeding the airflow significantly. As a result, you won’t be able to feel the cold air.
To deal with this, you don’t need any special knowledge of air conditioning. Simply, replace your dirty filter for a fresh one. If it’s washable, just clean it. Getting in the habit of repeating the procedure each month will save you a lot of headaches.
Ultimately, it will ensure your air conditioner works at peak level and blows cold air when needed.
Helpful read: Factors That Can Affect Your Aircon Efficiency
There’s a Refrigerant Leak
Perhaps, the refrigerant gas, or the coolant, is the “ingredient” that makes air conditioners blow cold air. Because it’s an essential part of the cooling process, it might be the very reason why your aircon isn’t blowing cold air. Here’s why:
Since the refrigerant cycles between the indoor and the outdoor panels, a leak can reduce its level somewhere in the circuit. As a result, your aircon will be left without enough coolant to absorb the heat, thus making it unable to blow cold air.
You can easily identify the problem by checking whether there’s an ice buildup inside the air conditioner. You might also hear an unusual hissing noise while your appliance is working. Another indication might be when your aircon unit is blowing cold air, but it takes too long to cool the room.
In such cases, you should call a professional aircon technician to troubleshoot your aircon unit. Because refrigerant gas is hazardous, you shouldn’t try to fix it yourself. Instead, you should always rely on qualified specialists to top up your aircon refrigerant gas.
Check for Any Ductwork Leaks
Along with the refrigerant leak, there’s another type of leak that may also impede your aircon from working properly. Because air travels through a series of air ducts before getting to your room, poor sealing and loose insulation can cause air leakage.
This, in turn, will reduce your air conditioner’s efficiency. If the problem persists for long enough, the leak may start expanding. This will not only leave you with no cool air at all but it will also put extra load on the aircon.
To prevent this issue from causing permanent damage to your aircon, you should schedule an inspection by an aircon technician. Of course, the timely action will cost you a small amount of money, but it will save you a lot more in the long run. Moreover, it will bring back the cold air into your room.
Helpful read: Common Misconceptions About Aircon System And Their Servicing
Dirty Aircon Condenser Coils
The condenser coil is yet another important part of the air conditioner that requires regular maintenance. Since it’s located in the outdoor unit, it’s prone to accumulating dirt and debris. As you may think, this doesn’t usually end well for the aircon unit.
Your air conditioner will have to work much harder to compensate for the loss of power. Over time, it can start overheating and shutting off until it breaks down totally.
Unlike gas topping up, you can try and solve this problem on your own by gently washing the inside of the outer panel with soap and water. Just be careful not to bend or break the fragile aluminium parts.
For better results, it’s best to call a professional to check and fix the issue. If you have some extra bucks, you can buy a weatherproof cover to protect your aircon when it’s not in use.
In more severe case, you may require an aircon chemical wash service or aircon chemical overhaul service.
Your Aircon Doesn’t Fit Your Room Size
Sometimes, the problem may be rooted in one seemingly insignificant mistake. If you didn’t do your research or you just ignored the retailer’s recommendations, you might have bought the wrong aircon for your room size.
As surprising it may sound, improperly sizing is one of the common reasons why your aircon isn’t blowing cold air. If your air conditioning system BTU capacity is too small for your room, it may blow cold air, but it just won’t be enough.
And the only way to deal with this problem is to replace your conditioner with a machine that will fit your room size. In short, get a professional aircon installer when you are buying a new aircon unit for your place!
If Your Aircon Is Still Not Cold, It Might Be Time For A Maintenance
Signs You Need Aircon Maintenance
Unusual Loud Noise
The air conditioning units consist of multiple moving parts like shafts, motors, pulleys and fans which will make noise during the operation. However, if you hear a loud noise, this is a severe problem.
For instance, the system produces a hissing sound if there is a leakage in its ducts, which means a high chance of evaporator coil freezing. Buzzing sound is a symbol of problems in the electrical unit of the air conditioner and banging noise means a loose or an almost broken part.
Warm Or No Air
The aircon system is there to cool down and maintain your place. A blow of warm air from its outlet is a clear sign of a potential defect or setting error.
So start with the thermostat setting. Set the thermostat to the cooling mode with a temperature slightly higher than the current temperature of your place and then check the blow from its vent.
If the air flowing is still warm, then contact the repairing company immediately. This issue is related to failing compressor, restricted airflow and low refrigerant levels, each of which is very dangerous. These factors can shut the whole cooling system and even burn the motor.
Such cases may be solved using a chemical wash or aircon overhaul service.
Helpful read: Wonder Why Your Aircon isn’t Blowing Cold Air? Here’s Why
Excess Moisture
By using an air conditioner, you are basically lowering the temperature of the air. So condensation of water is always there.
But the cooling unit has a specific system to drain out the excess water and maintain normal humidity inside your place. If it’s failing to do so, there are high chances of blockage in the drainage or a dirt deposit in the evaporation chamber.
To deal with the scenario, you can either try to clean the system or call a professional for help, such as troubleshooting.
Helpful read: Is There Water Coming Out Your Aircon? Find Out Why
Constant Running
This sign is quite challenging to detect in the initial stage, especially in an all-year-long hot summer season like Singapore. However, you will notice it once your electricity bill starts to rise and cooling start to decreases.
At this point, look around the air conditioner for effecting factors like a window with direct sunlight, restricted airflow of the room or cooling setting.
If none of these is wrong, check the condenser units filter for dirt deposit and bend fins. You can also check the thermostat by switching the temperature.
If none of these works, let the professionals handle the situations.
Helpful Read: Aircon Services And Their Prices
Disturbing Noise From The Compressor Unit
The compressor unit is the heart of an air conditioning system, and even a minor fault in it is very dangerous. If this part is making a weird noise, take immediate action.
Turn off the unit and open its cover, you will see a filter and motorized fan in it, disassemble them both. Have a keen look at the fans and try to find if it is broken or unbalanced due to something. If there’s nothing wrong with the fan try to look for foreign bodies in the compressor housing.
Most of the time plant leaves and other small particles stick with the walls and fans creating vibration and hence the noise. If there is nothing wrong with any of the exposed components, then the sealed compressor is the culprit. You cannot repair or check it by yourself, calling an aircon repair company is the only rescue.
Odors
A foul smell indicates the presence of mold and other bacteria in the air conditioner. Although this is not a performance issue, it does have a very adverse effect on air standards. The microbes will start to reproduce in the system component, which will contribute to the blockages in the evaporator and condenser. The bacteria can also enter your body through the air and affect your health.
Usually, routine aircon cleaning and maintenance are enough to eliminate any cause of this problem. However, it does depend on the climate of your place, so keep a check on it.
Helpful read: Factors That Can Affect Your Aircon Efficiency
Failing Thermostat
The thermostat is responsible for regulating the cooling level of the room and turns the air-conditioning on/off according to it. So if you feel that the air conditioner is not turning off even after the optimal temperature, it may be an error in this part.
Another sign of failing thermostat is the rise and fall of temperature. Someday the room will get freezing cold, and on other times it will stay hot. Luckily, this part doesn’t always need replacement or professional supervision, at least not if the error is due to its power source.
You should change its battery and reset it before coming to a final decision. However, if both these methods fail then replacement and reprogramming are the only option.
Personally, even if you doubt about any of these defects consider calling a reputable aircon repair firm in Singapore. A little trouble for a false alarm is way better than spending a few days without a cooling unit.
Why Is My Aircon Not Blowing Cold Air?
To conclude, an aircon not blowing cold air is no doubt a huge inconvenience for everyone that has to struggle through the sweltering summer heat. Whether the cause is simple as a dirty air filter and wrong thermostat settings or more complicated, taking some precautions may reduce the chance of experiencing such an issue.
Therefore, always trust your local aircon company and don’t be afraid to ask for professional help. Things such as condenser coils, refrigerant gas, compressors, and wiring are no joke and they should be handled by well-trained technicians.
Helpful Read: Common Aircon Problems, Their Causes, And Repair Options