AC Repair Archives - Quality Heating Blog of Brookfield, WI

Why Is My AC Running But Not Cooling?

June 1, 2022 By Anthony Bodden

In our hot and humid Wisconsin summers, air conditioning is a necessity. You become particularly aware of that when your air conditioning isn’t working properly. And when your AC is actually running but not cooling your house, it’s more than uncomfortable. It’s expensive. Unless you enjoy paying for nothing, you’ll be highly motivated to figure out why your air conditioning is running but not doing its job. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common reasons and what you can do about them.

Air Conditioning Components

Before we delve into possible problems and solutions, it’s important to know a little about how your air conditioning system works. You probably know that an outdoor unit sits somewhere outside your house; that’s the condenser unit (either AC or heat pump). But there’s a lot more to it. Split-system air conditioners have a lot of moving parts, including an indoor air handler unit (furnace or fan coil), an evaporator coil, air filter, thermostat and copper tubing (refrigerant lines) that connect the indoor and outdoor units. When your AC isn’t cooling the house, something could be amiss in any of these places.

Thermostat

The easiest item to check is your thermostat. If you notice your home is simply not cooling, especially if there are zones in your home, look at thermostat settings. Be sure it is set to cool. That sounds obvious, but most systems have a separate fan setting and it might be that your fan is running, but the system is not set to cool. It could be that the AC is off, or even set to “heat” rather than “cool.” If that’s the case, just switch it to “cool” and wait a few minutes; if cold air starts blowing, then the problem is solved!

Air Filter

Another factor that can cause your Air Conditioning to struggle to cool your home is a dirty air filter. There’s probably an air filter located in or around the indoor air handler unit. The filter catches dirt, dust and other airborne particles as they enter the air handler unit. It keeps the components inside the system cleaner and operating more efficiently and can help keep the air in your home cleaner as well. A dirty air filter can block airflow and reduce cooling to your home. In extreme cases, it can cause the system to shut down completely. You can deal with this issue yourself. Find your system’s air filter. Be sure to turn the system off completely before doing anything else. Then, remove the filter. If it’s dirty, simply clean it. Cleaning methods differ depending on the system. Typically, you can vacuum the dust and dirt off with the bristle attachment of your vacuum cleaner; then if your air filter is designed to get wet, soak it in a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar. Let it dry completely and reinstall (being careful to put it back in the same way).

Outdoor Unit

The exterior of the condenser unit features a large outdoor coil, which wraps most of the way around the outside of the unit. The coil includes a series of thin metal “fins” which are spaced very tightly together. If your air conditioner is running, but not lowering temperatures inside, one issue could be a blocked or clogged condenser coil. When operating correctly, the condenser fan draws air into the outdoor unit through the condenser coil to pull heat energy out of your home. Dirt, grass and other airborne debris can accumulate between the fins, clogging the coil. A dirty coil can lead to reduced energy efficiency, lack of cool air from the registers, or in extreme cases, complete system shutdown or damage to the compressor from overuse. All of this means that your outdoor unit should have clearance all around it. No bushes or other debris should touch your AC. You can clean the coil by carefully vacuuming it with the brush attachment of your vacuum or rinsing it gently with a hose.

Other Issues

All of the above are issues that you can deal with yourself. If you have done all of these and your AC is still not cooling your home, it’s time to call the experts at Quality Heating. It could be that you have a damaged heat pump, or that the evaporator coil is frozen, or even that you have a refrigerant leak. Finally, it might just be that your air conditioning system is not designed to adequately cool your home. You wouldn’t think that would be the case, but here at Quality Heating, we’ve seen it. Whatever the problem, we can diagnose it and fix it.

Maintaining Your AC

March 1, 2022 By Anthony Bodden

Air conditioning is so welcome in our hot and humid Wisconsin summers. In order to keep your AC system working efficiently and at its peak, there are some simple maintenance tasks you can perform. Proper maintenance will lower your electricity bills and keep you and your family comfortable. In this post, we’ll share what maintenance is most important and why.

Filters – Why They’re Important

Air conditioners and furnaces take in all sorts of dust and dirt that naturally floats in the air. As such, to reduce the amount of residue they take in, they’re equipped with HVAC filters. These filters trap all kinds of residue, but the filters can become completely blocked in the process. These filters need to be changed on a regular basis. You should change your HVAC filter at least every 3 months; if you have cats or dogs in your home, you should do it once a month. If you have a media filter, they should be replaced every 9 to 12 months; this filter is located inside your ductwork next to your furnace or air handler.

Filters – Where They Are

Your HVAC filter could be located in your return air vents or it could be located within your furnace. If you’re not sure, look up videos online for your particular AC or HVAC system. If you aren’t clear exactly what system you have, your HVAC technician would be happy to show you where they are. Certainly, if you have dealt with Dave’s Appliance, we would have that information for you, or could easily find it out for you.

Filters – How To Replace

Replacing the filter once you locate it is relatively easy. They’re designed to be taken out and replaced, so it should be pretty obvious. If you have any confusion about how to do it, again, there should be online videos guiding through your particular system’s process. Replacement filters are obtainable at many stores; Dave’s Appliance can supply you or point you to the place to go.

Condenser Area – Why It’s Important

Your AC’s condenser is located outside of your home. As such, it’s exposed to falling branches, kicked-up stones and dirt, bushes, and all sorts of overgrowth. In rare cases, overhanging greenery can fall into condensers, causing jams and general mechanical damage. Then there’s the chaos that creatures cause. Squirrels, mice, and even ants and other insects can chew on the electrical wirings or are attracted by the water. It can be hazardous to them and they can damage your outside unit.

Condenser Area – What To Do

You can prevent problems by keeping the area around your condenser clear of plant life and debris, and checking for evidence of chewing. At Dave’s Appliance, we recommend five feet of clearance on each of its sides. Also make sure that any trees or hedges in the vicinity are properly trimmed. Performing this basic outdoor maintenance should make it less attractive to creatures of all kinds.

Condensate Drain – Why It’s Important

When condensate drains are running at full speed during a hot spell, they are constantly removing water in the air; but when they are turned on less often, it means that your condensate drain can start to accumulate algae, mold, and gunk. It builds up faster than you might think, and a clogged drain can be a big problem.

Condensate Drain – What To Do

A simple way to keep your drain clear is to pour a cup of plain vinegar down it periodically. As the summer winds down and you use your AC less often, it might be a good idea to perform this task weekly. It certainly won’t do any harm, and it could save you a lot of hassle. If you’re worried about remembering to do this, contact Dave’s Appliance. We have some longer-lasting solutions to prevent these clogs.

Vent Covers – Why They’re Important

AC systems use a duct system to distribute the air that comes out of vents in the different rooms—on walls, ceilings, or floor. Keep an eye on your vent covers for any build up of mold. Excess humidity leads to mold, and you’ll want to take care of that immediately. Mold can cause those sensitive to it to become quite sick.

Vent Covers – What To Do

Simply cleaning with hot water and detergent should take care of the problem, unless there is a really significant mold build up. If so, use a cleaner designed specifically for mold issues.

Getting Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer

July 12, 2021 By SunAnt

We’ve already had a couple of hot spells here in Wisconsin, and it’s just the beginning of the summer. You’re going to need your air conditioner at peak performance, and in order for that to happen, you should be proactive and get your air conditioner ready for the season. The way to do that depends on what kind of air conditioner you have, but no matter the type, some initial inspection and maintenance can ensure that you’ll be cool and comfortable this summer. In this post, we’ll look at central air conditioners, window air conditioners, and portable air conditioners.

Central Air Conditioners

If you have central AC, you are set to enjoy cool comfort wherever you are in your house. These units are the best to have for all around cooling, and they can also be extremely energy efficient, if they are maintained properly. Because they are connected throughout your home (either through ductwork or through tubing), they are more complex, and getting them ready for the summer is more complicated too. Here are the steps you should take:

Remove covers – You put a weather-proof cover on your outdoor air conditioner unit, and other elements, and though it may seem silly to include this as a first step, it is not unheard of that people start the AC without removing all the covers. This includes condenser covers, coil blankets, or lids. Removing all covers before turning the AC on avoids major repairs or replacements.
Inspect panels – If the panel covering the electrical connections is missing, call for one of the qualified technicians from Quality Heating to inspect your unit. Don’t simply get a replacement panel. You need an expert to diagnose and repair any damage.
Remove debris – Wash away any debris that has accumulated around the outdoor AC unit. Vegetation may have grown around it (we all know how hard it is to mow around AC units), and stones, leaves, twigs may have gathered there. This kind of debris hinders heat transfer and that lowers the cooling and the energy efficiency of the unit.
Replace damaged insulation – Inspect the two refrigerant lines running from the outdoor unit to the indoor air handler. You should be able to find a small pipe and a larger pipe. If you notice any damage to the larger pipe, it can result in a loss of cooling and a loss of energy efficiency. Again, this is something you may want one of the experts at Quality Heating to deal with since minor damage is sometimes not immediately apparent.
Inspect the indoor unit – The most important thing to do here is to replace your filter. A dirty or clogged filter can lower your unit’s energy efficiency by 5-15%. Replacing the filter is a proactive maintenance task you can perform no matter what kind of air conditioner you have.
Check the coil drain – You should check to make sure the line is in the proper place and has not been moved or broken. Inspect it carefully and test whether it will drain properly and in the appropriate location. You might feel more comfortable having one of the professionals from Quality Heating make this determination.
Clean supply vents grills – The rationale here is the same as replacing the air filter. Dust and debris in the vents and vent grills diminishes your air conditioner’s cooling and energy efficiency. You can vacuum any dust or pet hair inside using the appropriate attachment.
Test it – Finally, you can turn on the AC to make sure there is cool airflow through all the indoor vents. If you notice that the airflow is weak or not particularly cool, you should immediately turn off your system and contact Quality Heating.

Window Air Conditioners/Portable Air Conditioners

The most important thing for window air conditioners is to make sure the window and window frame that you put your air conditioner in is secure and the side panels fit properly. For both window and portable AC units, cleaning the air filter increases cooling capacity and energy efficiency. Also, you should plug your air conditioner into a dedicated outlet and not into a power strip or extension cord to avoid causing a fire.

Repair or Replace My AC?

June 3, 2021 By SunAnt

We’ve already had some stretches of hot weather this year, and the summer has not even begun. If your air conditioner isn’t working, you’ve probably already discovered that the hard way. Maybe you’ve noticed that it isn’t cooling as efficiently as it has in the past, or it’s making unhappy noises. In any event, if you’re wondering whether or not to repair or replace your air conditioner, here are a few simple questions to ask yourself.

How Old Is It?

With all major appliances, it is good to practice the 50% rule: if it has reached over half of its life span, and the repair would cost over half of its new counterpart, it is best to replace it. Air conditioners usually last between 15 and 20 years, according to EnergyStar (a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program). As the unit ages, more and more issues develop, so if your unit is 8 years old or older, you should consider replacement. Of course, age alone should not be the determining factor.

Does It Use Freon?

As of January 1, 2010, the EPA banned the manufacture of air conditioners that use R-22 Freon because its use is compounding the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer. Because of this, Freon costs are increasing significantly. If your air conditioner uses Freon, eventually you’ll need to replace it to make the switch to the new R410A refrigerant. It’s most likely a good time to consider a replacement if your unit is breaking down or has problems associated with needing more Freon.

How Often Is It Breaking Down?

If your unit is breaking down a couple of times during the cooling season, it might make sense to replace it before the break downs become more frequent. Inevitably, it will cease functioning when we’re in a stretch of 90+ degree weather, and if that happens repeatedly, your whole family will be not only hot, but irritated. When your air conditioner needs frequent service calls, the repair costs add up quickly, too.

What’s Its Energy Efficiency?

If your air conditioner is broken, it’s time to consider its energy efficiency. Obviously, if it still uses R-22 Freon, it’s over 11 years old, and you can rest assured that it’s wasting a lot of energy. The new models are incredibly energy efficient. Models today have an Energy Efficiency Ration (EER) of 13 or 14 and a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 19 or 20. If your air conditioning unit has numbers below those, it’s costing you more than it needs to.

How Much For a New One?

Investigate the cost of a new air conditioner; you may be pleasantly surprised. Remember that you need to factor in the savings you will realize with a new unit, both in your electricity bill and repair costs. The experts at Quality Heating can help you explore all your options, and find an air conditioner that works with your budget and your family needs.

A non-functioning or malfunctioning air conditioner can create a lot of problems during our hot and humid Wisconsin summers. When your air conditioner breaks down, you should think about whether it’s worth it to repair it, or whether replacing it would be a better idea. Consider all angles of the problem, and if you’re interested in any advice, the professionals at Quality Heating, your family-owned HVAC specialists serving Southeastern Wisconsin, are happy to help.

Why Is My AC Running But Not Cooling?

Air Conditioning Components

Thermostat

Air Filter

Outdoor Unit

Other Issues

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Reviews

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Maintaining Your AC

Filters – Why They’re Important

Filters – Where They Are

Filters – How To Replace

Condenser Area – Why It’s Important

Condenser Area – What To Do

Condensate Drain – Why It’s Important

Condensate Drain – What To Do

Vent Covers – Why They’re Important

Vent Covers – What To Do

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Reviews

Have Questions?

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Getting Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer

Get In Touch

Reviews

Have Questions?

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Repair or Replace My AC?

How Old Is It?

Does It Use Freon?

How Often Is It Breaking Down?

What’s Its Energy Efficiency?

How Much For a New One?

Get In Touch

Reviews

Have Questions?

Our Location