The AC is on, fan blowing, but the air is warm-ish and the house won't cool down. Help, it's a heatwave!
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
Concerns & risks
The AC is running nonstop, but the house is still warm.
An overworked AC can freeze up or break completely.
Causes & evidence
Dirty filters, a dirty outdoor coil or frozen indoor coil cut cooling power.
What to do
- Replace the air filter if it's gray or dusty.
- Check the thermostat is on COOL and the fan on AUTO.
- Outdoor unit: turn power off and hose dirt off the fins gently; clear plants around it.
- Ice on the pipes? Turn the AC off, fan ON, let it thaw a few hours.
Common mistakes: A dirty filter is the most common mistake. If the indoor coil is frozen, turn the system off and let it thaw. Don't keep running it. Refrigerant work needs a licensed tech. Before calling for service, check that the thermostat is set to cool, the outdoor unit is running and its coil isn't packed with leaves or cottonwood. Keep a couple of feet clear around it. Gently rinsing the outdoor coil (power off) can help, but leave refrigerant to the pros.
Speed Man tip: Still warm after this? Low refrigerant or a failed capacitor needs a licensed HVAC tech.
Wrap-up: Start with the filter and thermostat settings. Clean the outdoor unit and clear space around it. Ice or warm air after checks = HVAC tech.
⚡ Speed Summary
- Start with the filter and thermostat settings.
- Clean the outdoor unit and clear space around it.
- Ice or warm air after checks = HVAC tech.
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