Spotting Common Home Cooling Problems

Why is your AC giving you trouble?

There’s nothing like a summer day in eastern Pennsylvania, made all the more enjoyable by ultimately retreating to the crisp, coolness of your air-conditioned home. But, if your home’s air conditioning system conks out, you’ll lose your escape from the sweltering heat. Nobody wants that – least of all, the energy experts at Oehlert Bros.! The good news is that if this happens to you, we’ll make it easy to feel comfortable in your home again, no matter how hot it is outside.

Top reasons your AC is not cooling

If your AC is running but the air isn’t cooling, it means the blower works – always good news – but the cooling function does not. Unfortunately, there are several potential culprits, including:

• Thermostat is acting up: Your thermostat tells your HVAC system your preferred temperature, but when communication breaks down, your cooling equipment doesn’t know what to do! The problem could be anything from loose wiring, to old batteries, to a stuck thermometer or a failed sensor. We recommend changing your thermostat’s battery as the first step in troubleshooting, since a low battery may not control your home’s HVAC system.
• Neglected maintenance: Not checking your air conditioning system annually means slow refrigerant leaks won’t be spotted, leading to insufficient cooling or even no cooling. If you’re overdue for annual maintenance, reach out to our experts. A lot of things can go wrong to knock out your AC system. Help prevent them with a Premium Cooling service plan from Oehlert Bros.!
• Due for a refrigerant refresh?: AC systems use coolant to reduce temperatures, and this needs to be replaced occasionally. Environmental regulations require that the common refrigerant R-22, or freon, has been phased out, and only recycled or recaptured R-22 is available now. If your AC is working overtime to get your home to your preferred temperature, it may be time to renew your refrigerant or, if you have a decades-old system, upgrade your equipment to one that uses modern coolant.
• A wiring or electrical problem: Like all electrical systems, your AC needs to be plugged in securely, and the wiring should not be fraying, tangled, or loose.
• Eek, a leak!: A leak along your system lines allows coolant to escape. You may notice freezing along the lines leading to or from your coils, hear a hissing noise coming from the hose, or notice that your energy bills are unusually high.
• An obstructed air filter: If you haven’t changed your air conditioner’s air filter in a while, it can become clogged. That restricts air flow, meaning your system won’t be able to keep up. Also, dirt and dust can get on moving parts, which can cause damage. You should be changing your air conditioning filter every one to three months. It’s closer to one month if you have people in your home with allergies or respiratory issues, or pets. For more of the cold air you’d like flowing freely in your living space, start with changing your air filter. It’s easy and you can do it yourself!
• AC compressor going bad: Unfortunately, an air conditioner that blows lukewarm air or makes a racket can be a hallmark of a faulty compressor.

Oehlert Brothers energy experts have your back

If your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly or has simply seen better days, we’ve got your back. Thousands of our neighbors rely on Oehlert Brothers – the Energy Experts – for reliable fuel delivery, equipment installations, outstanding service, maintenance and repairs, and much more. Choose Oehlert Brothers today and join our family of satisfied customers who know all about the Oehlert difference.