It can be quite frustrating when your AC is running but instead of feeling its cool effects you are sweating and wondering what is wrong with the airflow. When your air conditioner is not blowing cool air then you will not be able to feel comfortable in the room. It is an indication that the cooling system of your air conditioner is not working properly. There could be multiple reasons for this such as clogged air filters, freezing of evaporator coils, and problems with the blower motor.
Even though all of these seem like minor issues if they are not corrected then all of these will eventually turn into a bigger problem. These problems can cause poor function of the AC unit causing it to work harder which will lead to various other problems like higher energy bills and damage to your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems leading to costly repairs and replacements. Here, we will talk about some of the most common reasons why your AC is running without air and some quick solutions for maintaining proper airflow.
Common Reasons For AC Running Without Air
When your AC is running without providing you with proper airflow then it is a sign that there is something wrong with your HVAC system. You should never ignore this issue as it leads to discomfort and expensive repairs. Below you will learn about some of the most common reasons why your AC is running without air.
1. Blocked Air Ducts
The air ducts of your air filter can get blocked due to the collection of dust, debris, and other particles. This can reduce the flow of air which will eventually cause your air conditioner to struggle with the airflow. These blockages will restrict movement and will not be able to provide you with clean and cool air in your living space. You can check for blockages near the openings of the vent. You can use a flashlight to examine even deeper areas and observe if there is any sign of excessive dust buildup.
2. Clogged Air Filters
One of the most common causes of poor airflow in your HVAC system is because of dirty or clogged air filters. The air filters in your air conditioner will eventually get dirty by filtering and collecting dust, debris, and even the hair and fur of your pets. All of them get stuck to your air filter causing a blockage in the airflow preventing the air from circulating properly. This makes your AC less effective and forces the system to work harder to provide you with the temperature you desire. It also causes them to consume more energy leading to higher utility bills. If you ignore this problem then it can reduce the lifespan of your AC unit.
3. Blower Motor Issues
The blower motor is an essential part of your HVAC system. It plays an important role in pushing the air from the ducts to make sure that you will have proper cooling in your living area. When there is a malfunction in the blower motor you will start to experience less cooling because of reduced airflow. Some of the most common causes for a blower motor to face issues is because of overheating due to excessive workload, wear and tear from regular use, and fluctuations in electricity can cause damage to the motor. You can easily recognize the problem with the blower motor when your AC starts to make strange noises.
4. Thermostat Problems
It is important to make sure that the thermostat settings are accurate if the thermostat is set incorrectly then it will start to malfunction and can seriously affect the performance of your air conditioner. It can run inefficiently or might completely stop blowing air even when your AC is running. When there are wrong settings like selecting the wrong mode and temperature then it will not be able to keep your house or office cool causing you to feel uncomfortable and warm. Sometimes there can be issues in the wiring which will prevent the thermostat from turning off or on. It can also become the reason to send improper instructions to your HVAC system.
Instant Solutions For AC Airflow
Now that you have learned the common reasons why your air conditioner is not able to provide you with proper airflow. Read on to find out about a few instant solutions that will help you to solve the problem and restore the airflow of your HVAC system. These simple methods will be able to bring back peace and comfort in your living space.
1. Clean Or Replace Air Filters
Dirty air filters cause lots of restriction in the airflow which eventually reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner and can make your HVAC system overheat. To prevent that from happening it is important that you clean or replace the air filters from time to time. However, whether your air filter needs to be cleaned or replaced entirely depends on the type of air filter you have. If you have washable filters then you can easily take them out and wash and clean them so that they can be reused. Whereas if you have disposable filters then you need to replace them. This will help in improving the air quality and reduce the consumption of energy. It is important that you check the air filter every 1 to 3 months, especially during the months when the HVAC system is used maximum.
2. Adjusting Your Thermostat
When you are adjusting or setting your thermostat then it is important that you set them properly. It will make sure that there is no chance of malfunctioning which can become the reason for AC to work without blowing cool air. While setting the temperature of the thermostat you have to ensure that it is set to “Cool” mode and that the temperature should be lower than the temperature of your room. Always remember to double-check the settings to be completely sure that the settings of the thermostat match the particular requirements of your cooling needs. If there is a problem and your thermostat is not responding then you need to try using the manufacturer’s guidelines to identify the issues. Sometimes the reason could be quite simple and require only replacing the old batteries with new ones. It is essential that you have regular maintenance of your thermostat to make sure that it is working correctly.
3. Turn Off The AC To Melt Frozen Coils
When the coils get frozen then it stops the airflow which causes disruption in the cooling of your air conditioner. To deal with this problem you need to turn off your AC and give it some time to melt. The whole takes a few hours to complete so it is vital that you be patient. Once the ice in the coils is melted then you need to examine the coils if there is dirt or any other kind of obstructions that cause the coils to freeze. This will also make sure that the airflow in the coils is completely unobstructed by checking the air filter and air duct. By addressing the major cause of this problem you will be able to avoid it from freezing in the future and will make sure that your HVAC system is running smoothly and efficiently.
4. Remove Debris And Dust From Ducts
Lastly, make sure that your air conditioner is running smoothly and providing you with the cool temperature you desire. You need to remove all kinds of debris and dust from the air ducts. When the air ducts are blocked it can lower the flow of air causing uneven or insufficient cooling to your living space. It is quite easy to see if there is debris or dust inside the air vents. You can use a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush to clean the openings and make the air ducts free from any obstructions. If the problem is not solved then it means it requires a deeper cleaning in which you have to call a licensed professional to clean the air duct. This will make sure that your system is free from any blockages. This will help in increasing the efficiency of your AC system.
Conclusion
You have gained knowledge about some common problems that cause trouble for air conditioning to work properly like blocked air ducts, clogged air filters, issues in the blower motor, and problems in the thermostat. In addition, you also discovered some simple solutions by which you can maintain the airflow such as cleaning or replacing the air filters, adjusting the thermostat, melting the frozen coils by turning off the AC, and removing debris and dust from the air ducts. It is vital that you have regular maintenance to make sure that your AC is working without any issues and prevent future issues.
We at Custom Filters Direct provide our customers with the best quality air filters that are designed specifically according to their unique requirements. We help you to breathe clean, fresh, and healthier air. These trustworthy filters are designed for everywhere whether you are looking for an air filter for your home or office. Our top-quality and reasonable price along with the fast delivery option makes our filters an excellent choice for improving your indoor air quality. If you have any more questions then you can call us at 877-958-5612 or send us an email at info@customfiltersdirect.com. We are happy to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The type of filter you are using, a pleated filter can work for 5 to 6 months while a fiberglass filter needs to be replaced every 30 to 40 days.
- If your home or office is located in a place where the weather is often dry and dusty then you need to clean or replace your air filter every 1 to 2 months.
- When you have pets like cats and dogs in your home then you should consider replacing your air filter every 60 to 70 days.
- The more you use your AC the faster you will need to change your air filter.
- There will be water leakage near the drain pan.
- The AC unit will run constantly but will not be able to cool your home.
- The temperature of the thermostat will not be able to match the indoor temperature.
- Ice will be clearly visible around the evaporator coil on the outdoor refrigerant line.