Not Enough Hot Cool Air Coming Through The Vents [AC Troubleshooting]
Few things feel better than that first blast of cold air in your house when the weather finally gets warm. And, few things can be more frustrating than getting a tiny bit of cool air instead — much less than enough to keep you comfortable.
And while it’s always important to fix even a small AC problem quickly, the good news is that you may not have to call — or pay — anyone to do it.
Instead, we’ll walk you through the troubleshooting steps for the most common reasons you’re not getting enough cool air through the vents when your air conditioning is running. You may be surprised to learn that the most common causes have easy, DIY solutions.
Start with these tips. Then, if you’re still having a problem with the cooling in your Radnor, PA home (or anywhere on the Main Line), call John Cipollone, Inc. at (610) 446-7877.
Four Reasons Your AC Doesn’t Have Enough Cool Air Coming Through The Vents
The more most common reasons your AC doesn’t send enough cool air through the vents are:
- Clogged Air Filter
- Wrong Thermostat Setting
- Blocked Or Closed Vents
- Damaged Blower Motor
Clogged Air Filter
An air filter prevents dust and debris from entering your HVAC system through the ductwork. A clogged air filter prevents air from getting through as well. There’s not enough air to come back out through the ductwork and into each room when that happens.
This problem is often accompanied by short-cycling. That’s when the system keeps turning on and off every few minutes.
The thermostat tells the AC to turn on because the house is too hot. But there’s not enough air in the system, so it shuts back off as a fail-safe. But the house is still hot, and the cycle continues.
Read More: Why Does My Air Conditioner Keep Turning On And Off?
How To Fix It
Pull the air filter out of the furnace (your central air is connected to the heater and uses its blower motor and other components). If it’s gray instead of white, it’s full. And, if you can see clumps of dust on it, it’s clogged.
Slide in a new, clean one and note whether the circulation improves. If it did, you solved the problem.
After that, change the filter every month when the system’s running and every three months when it’s not.
Wrong Thermostat Setting
Accidentally switching your thermostat to “Fan Only” can give you the wrong impression that there’s a problem with the AC. This setting circulates the air already in the house without warming or cooling it.
It’s handy for airing out your home without opening the windows. But, when you’re expecting cooling, you’ll get warm air instead of cool.
How To Fix It
Make sure you set your thermostat to “Cool” and not “Fan Only.” And according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the best temperature setting for both comfort and minimal power consumption in the summer is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Blocked Or Closed Vents
It’s obvious that a closed vent will result in less cool air coming into the room. But, it’s not always easy to spot whether it’s open. Or if you’re blocking airflow without realizing it.
How To Fix It
Make sure the small switch on the front of the vent points upwards. That means the vent is open, and air can flow through it.
Or, if you can’t see the vent, you’re not going to get enough cooling for that room.
Each vent requires a foot of open space around it so the air can circulate the way it should. That means not putting a couch over it or a table around it.
Damaged Blower Motor
We’ve talked a lot about circulation so far, and the blower motor is the component that’s responsible for it. This part of your furnace sucks air through the return vents and then pushes it back out once it’s passed over the coil for cooling.
However, if that part is broken or damaged, you’ll hear the system click on but get little or no cool air coming through the vents.
Read More: Four Signs Of A Broken Heater
How To Fix It
Unfortunately, you can’t repair a blower motor yourself — this requires a professional. But, you can rule out other easy fixes and get a better idea of whether this is the problem.
Along with low or no airflow, check for strange sounds from the furnace or a burning or hot smell coming through the vents. Another indication is if your circuit breaker keeps tripping.
Call your HVAC contractor if you notice these other problems and have ruled out the other items we discussed.
Read More: Five Benefits Of A Ductless Mini Split For Heating And Cooling
How A Springtime AC Tune-Up Prevents Cooling Problems
We talked a lot about what to do if your AC is broken. Now, we want to let you know a great way to prevent cooling problems from popping up in the first place. A springtime AC tune-up heads off all sorts of common issues and ensures your system runs smoothly and efficiently all summer.
When you get a tune-up, your HVAC tech inspects dozens of checkpoints, cleans the insides of your furnace and outdoor condenser, and repairs or replaces any worn-out or broken parts.
It’s fast, easy, and costs less than calling for repairs in the middle of the summer.
Read More: Pre-Season Maintenance Call Gets Ahead Of HVAC Problems [Case Study]
Air Conditioner Repair In Radnor, PA And On The Main Line
If you’ve run through these troubleshooting tips and air still having trouble with the cooling in your Radnor, PA home, call John Cipollone, Inc. for air conditioner repair. We’ve served Radnor and other towns on the Main Line since 1953. Click below or call (610) 446-7877 for an appointment.