As a Sacramento homeowner, you rely on your air conditioning system to keep your family comfortable during the summer. When the AC isn’t working right, it’s one of the most frustrating household issues. There are many possible reasons why your air conditioning system isn’t cooling. Here are the 11 most common issues that cause an AC system to not cool your home.

1. Outdoor Air Coming Inside

You expect some of the warm air from outside to come into your home when you open the doors and windows, but what if you always keep your doors and windows closed? One of the least obvious reasons that a residential AC system doesn’t cool properly is those tiny little cracks in the door and window frames. Even that small little space at the bottom of your exterior doors allows warm air to come inside. You can reduce the amount of warm air that comes into your home during the summer by sealing the frames of the doors and windows. You can find special caulk for the job at your local hardware or home improvement store.

2. Bad Fan Motor

The fan of your AC system is what moves the air that is cooled and then redistributed through the vents. You can determine if your fan motor is potentially keeping your home from cooling down by checking the amount of air coming out of the vents. You should feel a good, steady stream of air. If you feel little to no airflow, the fan motor may be the issue. Call Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating, & Air to schedule a repair appointment with one of our expert technicians.

3. Clogged or Dirty Filters

The filters of your AC system trap small airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander. Like any type of filter, the longer the filter is in your HVAC system, the more particles accumulate in the fibers. If your home is not being cooled down enough by your air conditioner, check the filters. If they are even slightly discolored, replace them, and see if that fixes the problem. At a minimum, you should change your filters every six months. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on the packaging to see if the filter needs to be replaced more often. There are circumstances in which we recommend changing the filters more often, such as for households who have smokers, several pets, children, the elderly or a person with a chronic health condition.

4. Blocked Vents

If your vents are blocked or closed, your AC system will not cool your home as efficiently. Check to make sure that the vents are not blocked from the inside. Sometimes debris can get inside the ducts and block the vent openings. If you close vents in your home to reduce energy costs or fix a cold spot, you are making your AC work harder to cool your home less. A better way to address cold spots is to install a zone system or a separate thermostat for the part of your home that feels too cold.

5. AC Unit Is Too Small

If you have built an addition to your home or remodeled, your current air conditioner may no longer be able to do the job of keeping your family comfortable during the summer. In fact, if the AC unit is too small and you keep running it longer, you risk damaging the unit. The experts at Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating, & Air can help you find a new cooling system that’s a better fit for your home and budget.

6. Compressor Problems

The compressor of your air conditioner is essential for proper cooling. It works by circulating refrigerant through a series of coils. When air passes over the coils, it is cooled through the heat exchange process. When the compressor stops working properly, your entire cooling system is unable to work. Having a broken compressor does not necessarily mean that the entire unit needs to be replaced, Sometimes, only a small part needs to be replaced, such as a capacitor. In these cases, we recommend that Sacramento homeowners contact us to schedule a time for one of our technicians to troubleshoot the problem.

7. Residual Heat From Appliances

Have you noticed that your AC doesn’t work as well at the same time of day as when you cook, do laundry, or use the dishwasher? This is not a coincidence. Large appliances generate residual heat that disperses throughout your home, and your AC system may not be able to maintain the desired temperature. We recommend that, on the hottest days of the summer, you avoid or minimize the amount of use for these types of appliances.

8. Low Refrigerant Level

Most modern AC systems are designed to prevent the refrigerant from escaping the coils. As such, the refrigerant typically does not need to be checked, but accidents do happen. Review the documentation from the manufacturer to learn how to check the refrigerant level, or you can call us to schedule a time with one of our technicians.

9. Broken Thermostat

Perhaps your thermostat is broken, and this is why it does not feel comfortable inside your home. Even if the thermostat triggers the AC on and off, it doesn’t mean that the thermostat is reading the interior temperature correctly. It may be turning off the AC prematurely. Replacing a thermostat is a quick, simple job that you can do on your own. Alternatively, we are happy to help.

10. Heat Exchange from Windows

When sunlight comes through your windows, it warms the air in the immediate area. If you have plenty of natural light in your home, this may be why it feels like your AC isn’t working. You can test this by closing the blinds and curtains during the day. If your home feels cooler and more comfortable, sunlight is the issue. You may want to keep the blinds and curtains closed when direct sunlight comes into a room, and then open them once you only have indirect sunlight.

11. Worn-Out Equipment

Unfortunately, sometimes AC units fail because they are worn out or beyond their expected lifetime. HVAC equipment tends to last about 15 to 25 years with good routine maintenance. If your AC has not been maintained properly, it may have a shorter lifespan. When you’re ready to replace your AC unit, call Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating, & Air to learn about your options for a new AC unit.

Expert AC Repairs for Homes

If your AC system is not working as well as you would like, call the professionals at Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating, & Air. We can help you decide if you need a service appointment with one of our technicians or if it’s time to update your HVAC equipment near Loomis, CA. We offer installation, repairs, and maintenance for your cooling, heating, and plumbing systems.