Although the technology was patented in 1906, air conditioners didn’t become common in people’s homes until the 1950s. Today, a large share of Canadian homes relies on air conditioning to get through scorching hot summers. And nothing’s worse than turning on your air conditioner only to find that it’s not properly cooling your home.
The good news is, that some of the most common reasons for an air conditioner not cooling are DIY-level fixable. Find out more about these easy fixes below.
Check the Thermostat Settings
It may seem obvious, but the first thing to check when you have air conditioner problems is your thermostat. It’s always possible that someone changed the settings and the problem is as simple as changing them back.
First, check that the thermostat is on. Then, check that it’s set to ‘cool’ and not to ‘fan’. You might also consider changing out old batteries as a lack of power could be causing the thermostat to malfunction.
Dirty Air Filters
Air filters should be changed every two to three months. During times of heavy use, they may need changing even more often than that. If your air filters are clogged with dirt and debris, air cannot properly flow through your system and cool your home.
It’s easy enough to change an air filter. Just be sure to turn the system off before doing so.
Fine Tuning Your Air Conditioner for Location
When an AC unit is installed, it’s typically fine-tuned to its location. Fine-tuning for location means the air conditioner is set to operate normally as long as the temperature stays within a certain threshold, which changes depending on where you live.
For example, Ontario would have a much higher threshold than Alberta. But if the temperature outside exceeds that threshold, the air conditioner won’t work optimally.
If you find your AC not working on exceptionally hot days but it works fine on others, this could very well be the issue.
Improper Sizing
Did you know that AC units should be sized for your home? The square footage, insulation, construction quality, and local climate are factored into this size to ensure that the unit can properly cool your particular home. But if the sizing is incorrect, your AC may be running but not cooling your home.
Under normal circumstances, you may not notice if your AC is the wrong size. But if temperatures rise, it may become more apparent.
Air Conditioner Problems? Let Us Help
If your air conditioner is running but not cooling, the first thing to do is check the thermostat. After that, you might think about changing your air filters. And if neither of those is the issue, have someone confirm that your unit is fine-tuned to your location and the proper size for your home. We can help with that and more. Contact us for a no-obligation quote today.