Why Is My AC Not Cooling In Fort Collins? Four Potential Culprits

person using a mini split AC

There is truly nothing more frustrating than turning on your central air conditioning on a hot Fort Collins afternoon, only to feel warm air blowing from the vents. If your system is actively running but completely failing to cool your living spaces down, do not panic. Before you assume you need a total replacement, know that one of these four common HVAC culprits is most likely to blame.

dirty air filter

A Severely Clogged Air Filter

This is the most common and easiest issue to fix. A severely dirty air filter essentially suffocates your HVAC system. It severely restricts cold airflow into your home and can even cause the internal evaporator coils to freeze over entirely. Changing this filter regularly restores proper airflow and prevents massive strain on your expensive AC equipment.

professional HVAC gauge manifold with red and blue dials and hoses

Low Refrigerant From a Leak

Refrigerant is the vital chemical that absorbs heat from your indoor air. AC units do not simply “consume” or burn off refrigerant over time. If your levels are low, you absolutely have a leak somewhere. A system with a refrigerant leak will continuously blow lukewarm air and requires professional sealing and recharging to function correctly again.

metal fins on an outdoor AC unit heavily coated in white fluffy cottonwood seeds

Dirty Outdoor Condenser Coils

The outdoor unit of your AC is fully responsible for releasing absorbed indoor heat outside. In Northern Colorado, spring cottonwood seeds, thick dirt, and lawn clippings easily coat these exterior coils. When covered in this thick grime, the AC cannot successfully release heat, causing the entire system to blow uncomfortably warm air back indoors. Regular professional cleaning prevents this issue.

thermostat

Thermostat Miscommunication Issues

Sometimes the AC unit itself is perfectly fine, but the electronic brain controlling it is broken. Faulty wiring issues, dead internal batteries, or hidden internal malfunctions in your thermostat can easily cause it to misread the indoor temperature entirely. This failure to communicate prevents the thermostat from properly signaling the AC to begin its cooling cycle.

AC-Safety-Tips-for-Extreme-Heat graphic

Restore Your Home’s Comfort Today

You do not have to suffer in a hot, uncomfortable house this summer. If your AC isn’t doing its job, the licensed, experienced technicians at Polar Bear Plumbing Heating & Air are ready to quickly diagnose and fix the problem right now. Call us today to restore your cooling!

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