AC Not Cooling, But Still Running? Quick Fixes to Try in Atlanta
Atlanta in the summer feels like living in a pressure cooker. The high humidity and blistering temperatures are a rough combination, so an AC that isn’t cooling right can make your day feel impossible.
A system that turns on without blowing cool air is even more confusing. Does this problem count as an emergency or is it a minor issue you can fix yourself? With our troubleshooting guide, you’ll have all the warning signs and next steps to get to the root of the problem.
AC NOT COOLING: QUICK SOLUTIONS
Possible Cause | What You May Notice | Who Should Address It? |
|---|---|---|
Incorrect thermostat setting | The fan runs, but the system is not set to cool | Homeowner: Set a lower temperature. |
Dirty filter or blocked airflow | Weak airflow, longer run times, or uneven temperatures | Homeowner: Replace the filter |
Dirty or frozen evaporator coil | Ice, weak airflow, water after thawing, or warm air | Professional |
Blocked outdoor condenser | Leaves or debris around the unit and reduced cooling | Homeowner: Clear loose debris around the outdoor unit |
Low refrigerant or a leak | Poor cooling, ice, hissing, or unusually long cycles | Professional |
Clogged condensate drain | Water near the indoor unit or the system shuts off unexpectedly | Professional if the accessible drain cannot be cleared safely |
Failed electrical or mechanical part | Buzzing, repeated shutdowns, a stopped fan, or no outdoor-unit operation | Professional: Call Allgood at 404-260-0244 |
5 SIMPLE STEPS TO TROUBLESHOOT YOUR SYSTEM
Why is your AC not cooling, but everything else seems to be working just fine? Check out these simple steps to review your system for anything that might be off or malfunctioning.
1. REVIEW YOUR THERMOSTAT SETTINGS
As the saying goes: the simplest answer is usually the right one. Did you accidentally turn your thermostat off or hit the wrong setting? Check your thermostat and make sure your system is set to the ‘Cool’ setting.
A common rule of thumb is to switch your thermostat to five degrees higher or lower to see if it ‘jogs’ your system into place. You should also check and make sure your fan is on the ‘Auto’ setting. A low fan speed might be why you’re barely getting any cool air.
2. INSPECT YOUR AIR FILTER
If you don’t know why your AC isn’t cooling well, common causes often point to a dirty filter blocking your airflow. One of the most overlooked home maintenance tasks is changing out the air filter every few months.
You’d be amazed by how many indoor airborne contaminants clog up your filter over time. If your filter looks gray or brown, it’s filled with gunk and needs to be swapped out. A clogged air filter blocking cool air can gradually make your system freeze or overheat over time.
3. DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR VENTS
Similar to your air filter, vents are also responsible for making sure cool air moves consistently through your home. Check your vents to make sure they’re not closed or too dirty.
If they’re dirty, you can easily fix this issue by taking a dry rag and gently wiping off any dust or cobwebs you see.
4. CHECK YOUR CIRCUIT BREAKER
If you had a maintenance professional over recently, your circuit breaker might have been turned off at some point. Your breaker can also trip if you use too many appliances at once in your house or if your area had a recent power outage.
Check your circuit breaker to make sure the switch for your cooling system is on. If the switch is off, turn off your cooling system first, then turn the breaker back on. Wait for a few minutes, then give your air conditioner another go to see if it’s blowing cool air now.
5. LOOK FOR DEBRIS ON YOUR OUTDOOR UNIT
Your outdoor unit can go through a real transformation during the rainy and windy seasons. If your air conditioner is coated in leaves and debris, that mess will slow down your airflow.
AC still not cooling? You might have a more serious problem. Before you call for HVAC repair, make sure you don’t have a potential electrical or leak problem on your hands.
WHEN TO STOP TROUBLESHOOTING AND CALL A PROFESSIONAL
Warning Sign | What It May Indicate | Recommended Next Step |
|---|---|---|
Breaker trips again | An electrical fault, failing motor, or damaged component | Leave the system off and schedule service. |
Burning smell, smoke, or sparking | Overheated wiring or another electrical hazard | Turn the system off if it is safe to do so and seek immediate help. |
Ice on the indoor coil or refrigerant line | Restricted airflow, a dirty coil, blower trouble, or low refrigerant | Turn off cooling and have the system inspected. |
Water pooling near the system | A blocked condensate drain, frozen coil, or damaged drain pan | Turn the system off if water could reach electrical parts or damage your home. |
Hissing with weak cooling | A possible refrigerant leak | Don’t handle refrigerant components and call a qualified technician. |
Banging, grinding, or shrieking | A loose, worn, or damaged moving part | Turn the system off to reduce the chance of further damage. |
Indoor air blows, but the outdoor unit is not running | A power, capacitor, fan-motor, or compressor problem | Schedule professional diagnosis rather than opening the unit. |
MAJOR SIGNS YOUR AC PROBLEM IS SERIOUS
If you’ve tried a few of the above tasks, but aren’t seeing any changes, you might have a bigger problem on your hands. Check below to see if you have any of these potentially serious warning signs:
Unusual Noises: A healthy air conditioner will have a light hum or a slight rumble when turning on. You shouldn’t hear banging, clanging, whistling, shrieking, or rattling.
Leaks: Your unit should never drip or have strange puddles nearby. This issue can point to ice condensation from poor airflow or a refrigerant leak.
Odd Smells: If your air conditioner smells a bit musty, it usually points to a dirty filter or some dust on your vents. However, burning, rotten egg, or chemical smells are a serious issue that needs immediate help from a technician.
Complete Shutdown: If your AC isn’t cooling, then randomly turns off out of nowhere, you could have damaged internal parts. Some common issues are failing capacitors, melted wiring, and frozen condenser coils.
Regular tune-ups are a reliable way of keeping your system in peak condition. Our technicians can drop by once or twice a year to change out filters, check for leaks, or run tests to reduce the risks of a no-cool scenario on a hot day.
4 MOST COMMON CAUSES OF AC FAILURE
Even if your cooling system hasn’t shut down yet, it’s good to be aware of what can cause this issue. Allgood Home Services provides cooling repair services and air conditioner installations in the event your equipment just can’t keep up with the Atlanta heat anymore.
1. LOW REFRIGERANT
Your AC may not be cooling because it’s out of juice. Refrigerant is a specialized chemical that changes warm air into cool. Over time, it eventually starts running out and needs a refill from an experienced technician.
While most air conditioners can go strong for seven or eight years, you may get a low refrigerant problem ahead of schedule.
2. FROZEN OR DIRTY COILS
Your condenser and evaporator coils work together to help distribute warm air in and out of the house. If your system doesn’t have consistent airflow, you can eventually get frozen evaporator coils that can’t do their job anymore.
Your coils can also get dirty from gradual dust and dirt build-up.
3. CLOGGED DRAIN LINES
Without a functioning drain line, your air conditioner can’t properly expel excess moisture. Considering Atlanta is a very humid city, your system has even more humidity to distribute out of your home.
Since airborne moisture traps dust, dirt, mold spores, and bacteria, gunk can build up in your drain lines and eventually cause a clog.
4. FAULTY COMPONENTS
If your AC isn’t cooling, sometimes there’s nothing else to blame but an old, tired system. Your cooling system could have parts that are getting too rusty, worn-out, or overheating.
HOW ATLANTA HEAT AND HUMIDITY AFFECT YOUR COOLING SYSTEM
Your air conditioner has a lot of temperature changes, airborne contaminants, and humidity to work through. Atlanta’s unique climate means your system has to work far harder than in drier or more temperate climates.
Higher humidity means more moisture gathering up along your coils and in your drip pan, increasing the risk of leaks or mold problems. The extreme temperature swings of the greater Atlanta region also mean your unit will be on for far longer. Over time, all this additional stress adds up to more repairs or more shutdowns.
GET AC REPAIR WITH ALLGOOD HOME SERVICES
AC still not cooling? Professional service is the simplest way of getting to the bottom of your cooling system issues. Allgood Home Services has been serving the Atlanta community for two decades with reliable installation, repair, and maintenance services.
You should call a pro when you can’t fix the problem on your own or are noticing serious warning signs. We can check your system to see if it has any deeper internal problems you can’t tackle, then provide a long-lasting solution. Depending on what you need, we may also recommend regular tune-ups to reduce the risk of a no-cooling scenario in the future.
Sign up with us and get access to our flexible financing options to budget for your next visit. No matter what you need to stay cool, all of our services come backed by our Exceptional Service Guarantee.
Call us today to schedule a visit with one of our experts and get your cooling system working again!