In the event that your air conditioner is not cooling like it used to, what can you do to get it to become colder and functioning properly again?
So, you have an air conditioner in your home that has always worked well and delivered the best in cooling for you and your family. Should you suddenly realise that your unit is no longer giving off the amount of cool air as it did before, finding out the reasons as to why this is the case will help you to determine the problem.
It will also help you figure out what you need to do to fix it, making your air conditioner colder.
What are the possible reasons for an air conditioner not cooling enough?
As previously mentioned, you have noticed that your air conditioner is no longer as cool as it used to be. There could be a number of reasons for this, especially if you have the right size unit for your room and have never had this happen.
If your air conditioning unit has stopped blowing the cool air that it used to, it could be because the thermostat of your unit is experiencing some faults, especially if the temperature has not been set properly and it is struggling to read it.
There could also be an obstruction on the outside unit of your air conditioner, so ensure that nothing is blocking the unit. The fan of the air conditioner could be set on the wrong setting, which is why the air may not be as cool as it should be.
One of the most common reasons could be that the air filter of the air conditioner is dirty and needs to be cleaned. When any components of an air conditioner have dirt, dust or mould developing on them, it can lead to your air conditioner experiencing difficulties when it comes to its functioning and contributing to a reduction in cooling capacity.
If the refrigerant of an air conditioner is leaking, then this could also be a factor contributing to a decline in cool air. A drainage issue could also be to blame, should the drain be obstructed in any way while ducts that are leaking can also be the culprit.
How can you make your air conditioner colder?
Once you have identified the potential issues that could be causing your air conditioner to give off less cool air, then you can go about trying to fix the problem. This can be achieved by simply cleaning your air filter.
Clean the front grille of the unit too. When the grille accumulates dirt, it can disturb the amount of free airflow. Ensure that you also clean the evaporator coil of the unit, as dirt and debris can build up, given that it is located at the back of the air filter. Use a vacuum to collect all the dust from the coil or an old toothbrush to gently brush off the dirt.
Cleaning the condenser will also help to get the air conditioner to produce cooler air. Since the condenser is built in the outside unit, which is exposed to many different elements such as dust, pollen, rain and other stuff, this can lead to accumulated build-up of dirt on the condenser, making it difficult for your unit to blow cold air.
Ensure that the coil fins of the unit are straightened because should the coil fins be bent, this will definitely be hindering the amount of air that flows from the unit. Be sure to clean the external grates of the unit, as this will hinder the air conditioner from venting properly. Misting the outside unit with water will also help.
Could it mean you need a new unit if cold air is no longer coming out?
There are times when you can do all that you can to try to get your air conditioner to produce cold air again, but with all that said, this might simply be a call for a brand new one altogether. Look out for increased electricity bills in order to determine if your air conditioner needs to be replaced.
If the bills come back high, and it is not cold, then this will be a sign. If your unit is producing funny noises, some of these could be a sign that your unit is wearing out.
So, should your air conditioner no longer be cooling your space as well as it used to, look into the possible reasons why this could be and resolve to see how you can fix it.