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Why is My AC Not Working?

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The Top Reasons Why Your AC is Out and When to Call a St. Louis Heating and Air Company for Assistance

Picture this: it’s the middle of July and St. Louis is having another one of its famous heat waves. It’s so hot and humid you can practically melt a candle on the sidewalk. Then, all of a sudden, you notice it’s noticeably warmer in your home than it should be.

You go to check your residential air conditioning and see the read-out on the thermostat is many degrees higher than what it’s supposed to be. You also notice you can’t hear your AC working.

So, what does this mean? More than likely, your air conditioning service has cut out. St. Louis heating and air issues happen all the time, but they are especially bad during the dog days of summer. The best thing to do is try to get to the bottom of the issue as soon as possible.

You know the effect of losing your AC. Now, we need to determine the potential causes.

#1 – Dirty or Blocked Filters

Filter problems can sneak up on homeowners because they are mostly “out of sight, out of mind,” as the saying goes. A lot of people don’t notice a blocked or dirty filter until they’re having residential air conditioning issues.

Pull your air conditioning filter and check it out. If it’s clogged with filth, then you know it’s high time for you to get a replacement.

#2 – Thermostat Issues

Sometimes residential air conditioning issues are as simple as changing out the batteries of your thermostat. If you notice that the screen on your thermostat is blank or flashing a battery symbol at you, that’s your cue to replace the batteries with a fresh set.

#3 – Clogged Condenser

If your residential air conditioning is running but it’s not blowing out cool air like it normally does, you may have a clogged condenser on your hands. Go outside to where your condenser is located and make sure nothing is blocking it. Sometimes condensers can get clogged up with grass, sticks, and other elements found in the outdoors.

#4 – Evaporator Coil Problems

The evaporator coil is another big part of your residential air conditioning system. This piece of the system is used to absorb humidity and heat while also sending cool air through your HVAC duct system. If your evaporator coil happens to get dirty, it will not be able to perform like normal. This results in rising temperatures within the home.

#5 – Compressor Issues

The compressor is sort of like the main core of your residential air conditioning system. It’s the part responsible for circulating refrigerant under pressure. Your AC unit won’t work without it, so compressor problems are a big deal. There are numerous reasons why a compressor will stop functioning.

The most common include:

  • Low refrigerant charge via cracked lines
  • Condenser coils covered in dirt or debris
  • Damaged or blocked suction lines
  • Electrical issues
  • Contamination in the compressor
  • Insufficient lubricant levels

#6 – Malfunctioning Contactor

The contactor is the part of your HVAC system that supplies voltage to the fan motor and compressor. If the contactor is burnt or otherwise compromised, it becomes impossible for the proper voltage to be supplied to the fan motor and compressor. This results in your air conditioning system not running at all or not running at optimal levels.

#7 – Malfunctioning Capacitor

The capacitor is what powers the motor of your AC unit that runs the compressor and fan motors. It continually sends jolts of electricity to keep the motor running. If the capacitor is compromised, your AC unit will either not run efficiently or it will completely stop working.

Meyer Heating & Air in St. Louis is Here to Help You Get Your Air Conditioning Service Back on Track

Problems with air conditioning in St. Louis are more common than you think. As we’ve laid out here, some of these problems are a quick fix while others will require the attention of professionals who specialize in residential air conditioning and air conditioning maintenance.

Simply contact the team at Meyer Heating & Air for all your residential or commercial HVAC needs. We have you covered the next time you need repair, routine air conditioning maintenance, or the installation of a brand-new Ruud AC unit that will keep your home cool for years.

Call us at (314) 845-1929 or contact us online. We have 24/7 emergency service, so never hesitate to call Meyer Heating & Air – day or night!

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