Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling the House?

If your air conditioner stops working properly and is no longer cooling your home, it is critical to call the professionals as soon as possible.

Most of the time, our technicians at Ambient Edge can fix the problem quickly and eliminate any further concerns for you. If you need help right now, know that we offer 24/7 AC repair in Las Vegas, NV, emergency service to help you.

Common Causes of an Air Conditioner Not Cooling a Home

Air conditioning is crucial in and around Las Vegas to control interior temperatures and get you through those mid-summer days.

Unfortunately, several things can go wrong with an AC unit that can diminish its cooling power. It is not an uncommon repair to need, but it should also not be something you put off taking care of as soon as possible.

The best way to find out what is wrong with your air conditioner is to set up a consultation with our technician. The cause and potential solution of your air conditioning malfunction will vary depending on precisely what you’re experiencing. For example, you may notice:

• Your AC comes on, but the air coming out of the vents is warm or even hot
• Your AC will not come on at all
• Your AC is creating cool air, but your home is still too warm 

What Should I Do if My AC Is On, But the Air Isn’t Cool?

If you check to make sure your system is getting power, there are several steps to take to find out what is causing the issue.

When you hear the AC running, put your hand next to one of your HVAC registers. Cool air, not warm or hot air, should blow through the vents.

In this situation, the first thing to do is to ensure that the thermostat hasn’t been accidentally changed to “heat” or “fan” instead of AC. If your thermostat is on the wrong setting, changing it back to “cool” should fix the problem.

Unfortunately, however, getting to the bottom of your AC issues isn’t always so simple, and here is a list of other things you should do:

1. Change your air filter. A dirty filter restricts airflow and makes it more difficult for your AC unit to cool your home. If this is the problem, you should notice an improvement immediately after installing a clean filter.
2. Go outside and look at the compressor unit. Most people think the  piece of machinery outside as the AC unit. Visually inspect the compressor to see if bushes, vines, or debris are blocking or obstructing it. When air intake is blocked, your AC may not be able to produce cool air. 
3. Inspect the unit for dust or debris. Look for dust or dirt on the housing, compressor, or evaporator coils, which are the thin metal ridges inside the unit. 
4. Clean according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. According to your user manual, you can gently clean your AC components using gentle cleaning solvents. Dilute the solution and use a brush to gently work any stubborn dirt off the coils. The air conditioner must be turned off and disconnected from its power source before you begin cleaning.

Still Not Getting Results You Need with Cool Air

If you follow these steps and still don’t get cold air, the problem is probably with the unit itself. The most common causes are either low refrigerant or a failing or burnt-out compressor unit. Both issues may cause a reduction in performance over time and eventually complete AC failure. 

The sooner you request service for your air conditioner, the better. Most of the time, this will not improve on its own without professional help. We do not advise you to use anyone but a licensed technician to handle this repair.

Fortunately, these are also relatively standard repairs. Contact a licensed air conditioning professional if you’re in need of a more advanced home air conditioning repair service. They should be able to confirm the cause of the problem and replace the part or recharge the refrigerant, often the same day you call.

What Should I Do if My AC Won’t Come On?

In some situations, you may not have any air coming from your vents at all. You may also notice that the system does not even react to you when you try to adjust it. If your AC fails to come on, start with a few simple steps:

1. Make sure the thermostat is set to “cool” and the temperature is set lower than your current room temperature.
2. Replace the batteries on your thermostat.
3. Check the circuit breaker box and look for any circuits that have been tripped. A tripped circuit means your AC isn’t getting power. Reset the switch, then try your AC again.
4. Check for AC freezing. Some older units might not be able to handle the heat. If you see ice on your AC, switch to the “fan” setting on your thermostat. Wait a few hours, and this should start to defrost the unit. Once it is defrosted, try to turn it back on and see if you get cool air. Also, check and clean your air filter to improve airflow and reduce the potential for AC freeze.

If none of these steps get your AC working again, the problem is likely a faulty component that needs to be replaced. Call a professional, and they should be able to help you diagnose your problem. Our team can help provide the best solution for repairing your air conditioner in these situations.

What if My AC Is Working, But My House Is Still Warm?

Some AC problems don’t fall into either category above. For example, your air conditioner may be running and producing some cooler air.

Unfortunately, though, even after you’ve gone through all the standard troubleshooting steps, your air conditioner may not be cooling the house.

You may even notice only one room in your house is not cooling. In this case, start by checking your registers to make sure they’re open and allowing for free air movement. If they are unobstructed, your problem could be: 

• Leaking vents: The metal tubing behind your walls and ceilings that funnel the cool air throughout your home needs to be airtight to prevent energy losses. If warm air is getting in where it shouldn’t be because of a compromised vent, your system may be unable to cool your house sufficiently.
• A system that is too small: Your air conditioner should be powerful enough to keep the inside of your house about 20 to 25 degrees cooler than the outside temperatures. If it cannot do this, it may be too small for the size of your home.

Air Conditioner Repair Checklist: Follow These Steps if Your AC Is Not Working

When your air conditioner stops working to cool your home, take action right away to ensure it is capable of functioning at its best.

At any point, you can contact Ambient Edge for help, and our team will come out to help you get your system back up and running in no time. There are several key things we recommend in these situations:

• Is the system getting power? If the air conditioner has power going to it, and you checked the breaker to make sure of it, that means a true problem exists. If the breaker is flipped, flip it back in place and let us know if it flips again.
• When did you change the filters? The air filters are a very common problem with air conditioners that work but do not generate cool air. If you need help changing them or knowing which type of filters to use, reach out to us for help.
• Did the thermostat adjust? Often, the thermostat is another common problem, especially if you have a programmable thermostat that may need to be updated or replaced. If it is getting power and operational, this is likely not the problem.
• Is the condenser dirty? Walk outside to find the large condenser unit. We do not encourage you to open it up, but if the exterior is caked with material and air flow is limited, that could be a concern.

These are some of the initial steps to take before you give Ambient Edge a call. By doing this, not only do you have the answers to the questions we are likely to ask you when you call, but you may just solve many of the problems yourself.

We recommend having our team out for a call to make sure your system is operating the best possible so you receive our satisfaction guarantee.

Do I Need a Professional to Fix My AC Issues?

It is always a good idea to try and get your AC working on your own before calling a professional. If the issue can be resolved as quickly as changing the filter or replacing your thermostat batteries, you can avoid the expense of a service call by performing these tasks yourself. Most of the time, these are still tasks that are best left to our professionals to ensure they are done properly.

However, sometimes, there are more complicated issues that require the assistance of an HVAC technician. A service visit from one of Ambient Edge’s highly trained technicians can help diagnose the specific reason why your AC is not cooling your home sufficiently. You can count on our team to offer solutions that are best suited to your specific needs.

We can perform the most necessary repairs on the spot to restore your cool air quickly. Or, if your system is too small or worn out to keep up, we will discuss the pros and cons of replacing your AC with a more efficient model.

Trust in our experience to ensure you get exactly what you need from your air conditioner repair.

Consider the Importance of Setting Up Routine Maintenance

Many people know how to change an air filter on an air conditioner throughout the warm months, but there are other benefits to having our team out to handle routine maintenance for your air conditioner as well.

Specifically, we can provide an overall inspection of the system, pinpoint any concerns, including damage to electrical connections, condenser problems, thermostat failures, and other concerns, and fix them before your air conditioner stops working. In the long term, our routine maintenance services save you time and money, so be sure to review our FAQs for more information.

Why Trust Our Team with Your Air Conditioner Repair

An air conditioner that doesn’t cool your house isn’t much of an air conditioner. So, let the experts at Ambient Edge help you today! We offer fast repair calls, NATE-certified technicians, flat-rate estimates, and the best service in Las Vegas.

We also have 24/7 emergency repairs available. In the high heat in the Las Vegas area, an emergency occurs when your air conditioner stops working. We do not want you to put off getting the help you need, so give our team a call now.

Most importantly, our air conditioner repair technicians will never overcharge you or frustrate you with the services you do not need.

You can expect us to provide fast, reliable services to you every time you give us a call. That includes competitive pricing on all of the services we offer and our We Care program.

Ask Us for a Quote When You Call Us

We do not hide the cost of any of the services you need. When your air conditioner stops working, contact our team right away over the phone for an instant quote. That way, you know exactly what to expect when you have our team out.

Get Your Las Vegas Air Conditioning Unit Fixed Today

Ambient Edge is a reliable, trusted, local company that knows how to get your air conditioner working properly again. If your air conditioner is not cooling your house properly, let our team offer solutions for you.

Don’t settle for a less experienced company – call or fill out the online form to contact us and speak with one of our service experts today.