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AC Not Cooling? 7 Things to Check Before You Call for Repair

By Bens Air Conditioning  |  Serving all of Maryland

Few things are more frustrating than an air conditioner that hums along all afternoon while the house stays hot. If your AC is not cooling or not blowing cold air, the cause is often one of a handful of common issues. Some you can check in five minutes; others need a technician.

1. Check the thermostat

Make sure it's set to "cool" and the fan is on "auto," not "on." A fan set to "on" runs constantly and blows room-temperature air between cooling cycles, which feels like the AC is not working.

2. Replace the air filter

A clogged filter is the number one cause of weak cooling and frozen evaporator coils. If the filter is gray and dusty, replace it and give the system a few hours.

3. Look at the outdoor unit

Is the condenser fan spinning? Is the unit buried in leaves, grass clippings or cottonwood fluff? A dirty coil can't shed heat, and a fan that isn't turning usually means a failed capacitor or motor, one of the most common AC repairs we make.

4. Check for ice

Ice on the copper lines or the indoor coil means airflow or refrigerant problems. Turn the system off and let it thaw for a few hours, then call. Running a frozen AC can destroy the compressor.

5. Check the breaker and disconnect

An AC that trips the breaker repeatedly has an electrical fault. Reset it once; if it trips again, leave it off and call.

6. Listen for the compressor

A loud hum or click from the outdoor unit with no fan movement often points to a bad start capacitor or a compressor that is struggling to start. This is a same-day fix in most cases.

7. Note the age of the system

If your AC is over 12-15 years old and uses R-22 refrigerant, a major repair may not be worth it. Read our guide on whether to repair or replace.

When to call for AC repair

If the filter is clean, the thermostat is right and the system still isn't cooling, call (855) 459-5498. We provide 24/7 emergency AC repair throughout Maryland and quote a flat price before any work begins. Find your local service page for same-day availability.

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