JOB Heating & Air Conditioning Saskatoon is eager to provide the best possible customer experience. Their aim is to be a professional resource for our clients before, during, and after the sale! Their team takes pride in service knowledge of modern equipment and training. They are recognized by peers and offer sales, service, training & installations for residential, and commercial Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing systems in Saskatoon and the surrounding area. JOB Heating & Air are Trusted Saskatoon Furnace and Air Conditioning Experts.
Why Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling
An A/C unit that’s not cooling your home is a big problem. After all, that’s its one job.
When your A/C doesn’t perform as it should, it can be frustrating, time-consuming, and very hot.
There are several reasons your air conditioner may be failing to perform. The experts at JOB are going to walk through each one – and how best to fix it.
1. Your Thermostat Isn’t Cooperating
Your first stop is your thermostat. You should make sure that your thermostat is not only set to ‘ON’ but that it is set to ‘COOL’. Test that it’s working by setting the thermostat several degrees cooler than the stated temperature. You want to feel that chill!
If you can hear the air conditioner running, but minutes later still don’t feel any cool air coming through the vents, there could be something wrong with your thermostat and its electrical wiring. Fixing that problem is best left to a professional. You should also make sure all your windows and doors are sealed shut and your supply and return vents are open and unblocked. Little things like this are easy to forget about but super easy to fix.
2. A Breaker Has Been Tripped
This tip is only for those homeowners whose air conditioners are not running. Your A/C runs on electricity. No electricity going to your air conditioner means no cool air, making your home a summer paradise. It’s time to travel to the location of your breaker panel and do a check. The breakers for your air conditioner should be clearly labelled. Flip them off and on again, and see if this makes a difference.
3. Your Air Filter Is Clogged
Just because your air filter is located in your furnace’s blower doesn’t mean your air conditioner doesn’t use it. Your furnace’s air handler is what pushes the cooled air through the filter, through your ductwork, and into your home.
Therefore, if your air filter becomes clogged with dirt and debris, it’ll act like a cork in a bottle: little to nothing is getting past it. Jeff at JOB recommends checking your filter once a month and changing it at least every three months—more often if you have hairy pets, allergies, or a lot of people living in your home. Air filters can be found at local hardware and home stores. Make sure you replace your current filter with one the same size.
4. Your Outdoor Unit is Coated in Dirt and Debris
Sensing a theme here? Dirt is no friend to an air conditioner. Your air conditioner condenser is located outside your home and exposed to the elements when used. After a while, all that wind and rain is bound to blow dirt and debris into it. If there’s too much dirt, your condenser can’t perform the heat exchange process efficiently. There are things you can do to help with this particular problem.
For example, tidying up the landscaping around your condenser will help keep branches, bushes, and other vegetation from adding to the debris buildup. Jeff at JOB recommends keeping about 46 centimetres of space clear on all sides of your condenser. You should also wash your condenser regularly with water and soap. Gently wipe away dirt from the condenser fins, being very careful that they don’t break. In the offseason, ensure your condenser has a cover and is secured tightly.
5. Houston, We Have a Mechanical Problem
While annual maintenance is an excellent way to reduce the risk of mechanical breakdowns, they can still happen. Whether it’s a broken fan motor or compressor, a mechanical problem could be the reason your A/C is not cooling properly. If you suspect a mechanical problem, you should call JOB right away.
6. The Refrigerant in Your Air Conditioner is Leaking
Air conditioners use continuously circulating refrigerant to cool air. Usually, the refrigerant level never changes, and your air conditioner is perfectly fine. If you spring a leak, that refrigerant level drops – and so does the amount of cool air you get. Refrigerant leaks can be identified by ice buildup, hissing noises, or a noticeable decrease in cooling efficiency. If you have a refrigerant leak, turn off your air conditioner and call us immediately. This is a problem that should only be handled by experienced professionals.
7. Your AC Wasn’t Properly Installed
Unfortunately, this is seen constantly with air conditioners and furnaces. An improperly installed air conditioner won’t efficiently provide the cool air you need. This is something you’ll notice after you get a new air conditioner. They can give you a second opinion and do what they can to fix any potential problems. The size of your air conditioner is also essential. If it’s too big or too small, you won’t be able to cool your home efficiently. Before buying an air conditioner, meet with a qualified home specialist who can evaluate and make recommendations.
8. Your Air Conditioner is Over the Hill
There comes a day when even the best air conditioner in the world gets too old. Generally, after 15 years, you want to start paying close attention to your air conditioner's performance. If it gets to a point where you’re spending hundreds of dollars a year to keep it going, or your A/C is not cooling your home at all, it’s time for a replacement. The experts at JOB can perform an in-home consultation and walk you through the latest models, making recommendations for your home and needs.