During a South-West summer, when it feels like the heat never lets up, the last thing you want is for your air conditioner to stop blowing cold air. You flip the on switch, expecting a rush of cool relief, but instead, you’re met with warm or even room-temperature air. Frustrating, right?
Whether your air conditioner is running but not cooling, or it simply refuses to push out cold air at all, there are a few common reasons this happens. In this guide, we’ll break down the most likely causes, what you can safely check yourself, and when it’s time to call in a professional to get your home comfortable again.
2. Dirty air filters
Dirty air filters can block airflow through your air conditioning system, making it harder for cool air to circulate properly. When the filter is clogged with dust and debris, the evaporator coil can freeze up, reducing the system’s ability to cool the air, so even though the unit is running, you’ll feel little to no cold air coming out.
The good news is that a dirty air filter is one of the easiest air conditioner issues to fix. Simply turning off the AC unit, removing the old filter, and replacing it with a clean one can quickly restore proper airflow and cooling. Regularly changing or cleaning your filters can prevent the problem from happening again and help your system run more efficiently.
Want to learn more about how you can clean your AC filters? We’ve put together the perfect guide for you!
2. Low Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant levels can stop your air conditioner from blowing cold air because there isn’t enough coolant to absorb and transfer heat effectively. This often leads to warm air from the vents, longer cooling times. In Australia, only ARCtick-licensed technicians can handle refrigerant gas under national refrigeration and air conditioning regulations.
While refrigerant issues require a licensed technician to fix, identifying the problem early can save you from bigger, more expensive air conditioning repairs down the line, and restore your system’s cooling performance once the leak is repaired and the refrigerant is topped up.
3. Thermostat Issues or Incorrect Settings
Thermostat issues can also prevent your air conditioner from blowing cold air. If the thermostat isn’t calibrated correctly or has dead batteries, it may not signal the system to cool properly. Sometimes, it might be set to the wrong mode or temperature.
Other times, the issue lies in the thermostat itself. A unit that’s out of calibration, has dead batteries, or is installed in a poor location (like near a sunny window or drafty door) can give inaccurate temperature readings. This leads your air conditioning unit to run inconsistently or blow out warm air even when the room feels hot.
4. Blocked or Dirty Condenser Coils
If your outdoor condenser coils are covered in dirt, dust, or leaves, they can’t release heat efficiently, meaning your air conditioner may struggle to cool the air. When heat can’t escape, the system has to work much harder, often resulting in warm or weak airflow inside your home.
Fortunately, cleaning the air conditioner condenser coils is usually a simple maintenance task. Turn off the power, gently remove any debris around the outdoor unit, and use a soft brush or hose to clean the coils. Regular maintenance can prevent overheating and keep your air conditioner blowing cool air and performing at its best.
5. Electrical Issues
Electrical problems can prevent your air conditioner from blowing cold air by stopping key components, like the compressor, fan, or thermostat, from functioning properly. Common issues include blown fuses, tripped breakers, or faulty wiring. Without consistent power, your air conditioner may run intermittently, produce weak airflow, or fail to get cool air blowing at all.
While some minor issues, like a tripped breaker, can be fixed easily, most electrical problems require a licensed technician. Getting them checked promptly can prevent further damage and restore your air conditioner’s full cooling performance safely.
6. Circuit Issues
Circuit issues can prevent your air conditioner from receiving the power it needs to operate, resulting in warm air or no airflow at all. Common causes include tripped breakers, blown fuses, or overloaded circuits. Even if your air conditioner seems fine, an interrupted power supply can stop it from running properly.
Many air conditioner circuit problems are easy to fix. You can start by checking your home’s breaker panel and resetting any tripped breakers. However, if the issue keeps recurring, it’s best to call a licensed electrician or air conditioning technician to inspect the wiring and ensure your air conditioner is safely connected to the correct circuit.
7. Your Room is Too Big For the Air Conditioner Unit
If your air conditioner isn’t powerful enough for the size of the room, it will struggle to keep cold air blowing. An undersized unit runs continuously, trying to reach the set temperature but never quite getting there, leaving you with warm or uneven airflow. This not only reduces comfort but can also increase energy costs and wear out the system faster.
Unfortunately, this isn’t something you can fix with a quick DIY tweak. The best solution is to upgrade to an appropriately sized unit or add a secondary system for larger spaces. A professional air conditioning installer can assess your room size, insulation, and layout to recommend the right air conditioner size for consistent comfort.
Still Can’t Figure out why Your Air Conditioner is Not Blowing Cold Air?
If your air conditioner is blowing warm air, don’t panic, most of the time, it’s caused by simple issues like a dirty filter, incorrect thermostat settings, or blocked vents. However, if you’ve checked the basics and your system still isn’t cooling properly, it could be a sign of a bigger problem, in which our friendly team at Busselton Air Conditioning & Refrigeration is here to help you! We service Busselton and the South-West, offering reliable repairs, maintenance, and new installations to keep your home cool all summer. Get in contact with our friendly team online today.