In today’s world, we rely on air conditioners to keep our homes comfortable. It can be frustrating when you pay all this money on energy bills, but your air conditioner still won’t keep your house cool. So, why doesn’t my air conditioner blow cold air?

If your air conditioner doesn’t blow cold air, it’s likely because of a dirty air filter or refrigerant leak. Your air conditioner will also fail to circulate cold air if your ductwork is clogged, or if the compressor fails. This can also happen if the vents are obstructed or if the condenser unit has a blockage due to plant matter, mold, and mildew.

Otherwise, it may simply be that your air conditioner is too old, and you must replace it. Air conditions last roughly 15-20 years, but they can suffer performance issues long before then. Follow along as we explore why your air conditioner doesn’t blow cold air and highlight possible solutions.

Why is My AC Running But Not Blowing Cold Air?

1. Low Refrigerant

Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to produce cold air. The evaporator coil can freeze and stop working when the refrigerant runs low. This will overwork the fan and disrupt the system causing cold air to stop blowing.

Ideally, you should replace the refrigerant in your air conditioner every 2-5 years. However, you may need to replace it sooner if the system suffers a refrigerant leak. Corrosion is the biggest cause of refrigerant leaks.

Luckily, you can fix the problem if you replace the coil or lines that carry the refrigerant. It’s necessary to replace the lines if they are so corroded that patching them won’t be effective.

2. Dirty Air Filter

Filters are essential to air conditioners because they catch dirt, dust, and debris. Without a filter, this debris would circulate throughout your house and create a mess. Air filters eventually become dirty as they catch dust and debris that moves through your ductwork.

Once the filter is too dirty, cold air won’t blow through your vents as it struggles to move past the filter. This will make your HVAC system work harder, and the blockage will strain your air conditioner. You can avoid this problem altogether if you change the filter every 3 months.

3. Condenser Unit Blockage

An air conditioner’s condenser unit is a vital part of any HVAC system. The condenser is susceptible to blockages because it’s outside your home. Because they are outside and naturally humid, the mixture of moisture and weather conditions creates mold and mildew conditions.

Dirt and debris can also cause blockages within an outdoor condenser unit. An HVAC professional can carefully clean the inside and outside of a condenser unit to prevent clogs. It helps to clean the condenser coils and unit once per year to stay ahead of the problem.

4. Leak or Clog in Air Ducts

The ducts in your HVAC system distribute hot and cold air throughout your house. Over time, the ducts can become clogged with dirt, dust, and debris, such as pet hair. Your air conditioner may work, but it won’t blow cold air through your house if the ducts are clogged.

That’s why you must have your air ducts cleaned every 3-5 years or sooner as needed. If your AC doesn’t blow cold air, it could also be because of a leak within the air ducts. Gravity can take a toll on your air ducts, and they may sag.

Gaps can form when this happens and air leaks from the ducts. Even if your AC produces cold air, it won’t come out of your vents as well if the ducts leak. In that case, HVAC professionals can patch the leaky ducts or replace them if need be.

5. Faulty Thermostat

In a perfect world, thermostats would last forever. Sadly, thermostats only typically last 10 years, but they last longer in some cases. Thermostats are often prone to problems as they get older.

For example, your air conditioner may cycle more often but won’t blow cold air when your thermostat malfunctions. If your thermostat can’t properly communicate with the air conditioner, it won’t blow cold air. You can manually override many thermostats, but that’s not possible if there’s a problem with the wiring or if it’s too old.

In some cases, you may simply need to replace your thermostat’s batteries. You must typically replace the batteries in your thermostat once per year.

6. Compressor Problems

Your air conditioner compressor is just as important as the refrigerant within the system. Compressors compress refrigerant and distribute it to produce both hot and cold air. Over time, compressors can fail due to mechanical and electrical problems.

Excessive moisture and debris can also cause a compressor to work inefficiently and even fail. Luckily, this is a fixable problem. However, it’s not always worth it to replace the compressor if it’s over 10 years old as it may not last much longer. In that case, it is typically worth the cost to replace the unit.

7. Obstructed Vents

Much like air ducts, cold air won’t blow throughout your house if the vents are blocked. You can typically find vents on the ground or the walls near doors and windows in your home. Vents have switches that let you open and close them.

It’s easy to shut vents, forget about it, then wonder why cold air won’t blow. You can fix this problem if you simply reopen the vent. Otherwise, your vent may be obstructed by furniture, decorations, and plants.

Pet hair and other debris can also block vents. Inspect your vents to make sure they are open and clean them if they are coated with debris. If that doesn’t work, it’s likely a problem with your air filter or ductwork.

8. Your AC Needs to Be Replaced

It may be time to replace your air conditioner if it’s over 15-20 years old. While some air conditioners can last up to 30 years, this is quite rare. It’s typically not worth the cost to repair an air conditioner that is close to 20 years old.

Instead, you should use that money to invest in a new air conditioner that will last up to 20 years.

So, Why Won’t My AC Blow Cold Air?

Your air conditioner won’t blow cold air if the refrigerant is low or if the air filter is clogged. This can also happen if there is a blockage in your outdoor condenser unit. Clean your air ducts every 3-5 years to prevent clogs and replace your air filter every 90 days or as needed.

Ready to reclaim the cool comfort you deserve? Don't let a malfunctioning AC leave you sweating it out any longer. Contact Rich's Heating And Cooling LLC today at (732) 433-0068 to schedule a comprehensive inspection and diagnosis of your air conditioning system. Our expert technicians will swiftly uncover the root cause of your AC's woes and provide tailored solutions to restore optimal cooling performance. Don't endure another day of sweltering heat – trust Rich's Heating And Cooling LLC to keep you cool and comfortable year-round