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Why Your Central Air Is Not Working

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Updated February 4, 2023

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If you are new to the world of indoor cooling maintenance, you may wonder what is wrong with your central air conditioner if it begins to show signs of struggle. Even the best air conditioners, after all, are susceptible to repair issues. So what is a central AC system, what are some common central AC issues, and how to deal with them? Keep reading to find out, no matter what kind of air conditioner you have:

Dirty or Clogged Filters
- Wondering what does filter reset mean on an air conditioner? It likely means you have to change out a dirty or clogged air filter, even if you have learned what size conditioner filter you need. A dirty filter must be cleaned or replaced every one to three months, even if you have learned the definition of an AC condenser. Follow the instructions on how to handle this task. While reading these instructions, bone up on the definition of P1 with an air conditioner and other factoids.
Debris Surrounding Compressor
- If your outside unit becomes entangled with large items of debris, such as leaves and mounds of dirt, it will likely reduce the efficacy of your central AC. Take a walk outside to check out the outdoor unit every month or so, removing any debris from the compressor and condenser. You can also take this time to give both units a quick cleaning with a microfiber cloth or a related cleaning tool.
Various Leaks
- There are plenty of opportunities for leaks to spring up throughout your HVAC system, from refrigerant lines to ducts and more. Hire a professional inspector to give your whole system a once-over to look for these leaks. Once diagnosed, the repairs are rather simple, involving a patch job and some time.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Central air conditioning units are prone to many repair and maintenance issues that can impact the efficacy of the appliance.
If your air filters become dirty and clogged, it will drastically reduce efficiency, so clean or replace a dirty air filter as necessary.
Hire a professional inspector to go through your ductwork and take a look at your refrigerant levels for refrigerant leaks. An HVAC professional will have all the tools and expertise to properly maintain or repair your unit.

If you are wondering what is the coldest temperature for an air conditioner and if your unit struggles to get there, there may be an issue plaguing the appliance. This is also true if you learned what temperature to set your air conditioner in winter. Some consumers ask what to do when the air conditioner gets too hot, for instance. There are plenty of repair and maintenance issues common to central AC models if you are wondering what to do when your AC is not cooling. These common reasons happen every so often, so if there are issues that arise, there are existing solutions to resolve the issues. By tackling these issues, you’ll save on your energy bills in the long run.

Insider Tip

Even window units and portable air conditioners require the cleaning or replacing of dirty air filters.

STAT: If your AC is in a window that gets direct sunlight in the heat of the day, it will have to work harder to cool your space. (source)

F.A.Q.S

Why is my home’s AC blowing warm air?

Check the thermostat setting. Otherwise, it could be a frozen evaporator coil, as these condenser coils can muck up the entire system when malfunctioning or frozen. Take a look at the refrigerant levels as well.

Why is my central air conditioner not blowing hard?

If your air conditioning unit is not blowing hard, a faulty blower motor is the most likely culprit. This is one of the more common air conditioning problems, and a pro can fix it in no time at all.

Why won’t my home’s AC turn on?

This is likely an electrical problem with most air conditioning systems, so check the circuit breaker. A blown fuse is a likely culprit, but it is sometimes a larger issue.

REFERENCES:

Lawrence Bonk

Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.