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Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Cooling? Common Causes & Solutions in Pflugerville

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Summers in Pflugerville are hot and humid. The daily average highest temperature recorded is above 31°C, making air conditioning systems a necessity. Learn from air conditioner repair Pflugerville services common causes and solutions, if your air conditioner is not cooling properly. 

Why My Air Conditioner is not Cooling?

Dirty air filters are the most common reason for your air conditioner not cooling properly. Leaking refrigerant and clogged condenser or evaporator coils are also the reason behind reduced system efficiency. Pflugerville summer storms can cause power surges that damage the electrical components of an AC unit. Moreover, an undersized or oversized air conditioner or a leaky ductwork can also be the reason behind improper cooling of your air conditioner. For most of these reasons, get your AC unit inspected and repaired. 

6 Common Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner is Not Cooling Properly

Here are 6 common reasons why your Pflugerville air conditioner is not cooling properly:

1. Dirty Air Filters 

Dirty air filters are the most common reason for your air conditioner not cooling the house. In Pflugerville, filters clog fast, mostly due to the Cedar Pollen season (from early December through mid-February) of Central Texas, or because of the limestone dust from local soil and construction. So it’s very common for you to experience improper air conditioner cooling. 

The Solution: Air conditioner repair Pflugerville experts suggest changing your dirty air filters once a month (especially during the peak pollen season). Also, depending on the local conditions, they recommend MERV 8-11 filters. For example, a MERV 11 filter can remove up to 95% of airborne particles, and it’s best for seasonal allergies. 

2. Low or Leaking Refrigerant

In Pflugerville’s hot and muggy weather, air conditioners run for long hours to beat the heat, causing damage to your HVAC system over time. Eventually, the refrigerant might leak and decrease in amount below what is required. For instance, in general, a cooling system requires 2-4 pounds per ton of capacity. And if that drops, you will feel the air conditioner is not cooling properly and the room feels warm. 

The Solution: You need an EPA-certified technician to refill the refrigerant and repair the leak. Also, get your system inspected annually by professionals before every summer. Do not run your AC at a low refrigerant level or you might cause damage to your compressor. An AC compressor is the most expensive to replace ($800-$2,380 for central AC). 

3. Dirty Condenser or Evaporator Coils 

In Pflugerville, there are approximately 3,128 public trees with 18% of them being live oak. Heavy debris from the mature oak trees and the high pollen counts can clog the coils or outdoor units, reducing the efficiency of a system. And then, you might feel the air conditioner not cooling but the fan is running. 

The Solution: Every month, inspect your outdoor unit and gently clean it with a garden hose. Remove seeds, leaves, and grass cripplings. Also, during the spring/summer season, clear 2-3 feet around the outdoor unit. Trim back oak branches and vegetation. Moreover, an annual coil cleaning is required by air conditioner repair Pflugerville professionals. 

4. Electrical Problems 

Your air conditioning system has different electrical components (contactors, fuses, relays, and circuit boards). When one of them fails, your air conditioner struggles to cool properly, or it might shut off unexpectedly. This is especially common in Pflugerville during the summer storms. For instance, high-wind thunderstorms in Pflugerville can cause power surges that damage electrical parts. 

The Solution: If you suspect your AC is not cooling properly after a summer storm, get your wiring and electrical components inspected. And it is best if you install a surge protector for your AC unit for Pflugerville summers. 

5. Oversized or Undersized Units 

From 2010 to 2020, Pflugerville’s population increased from 46,936 to 65,191, indicating significant residential growth. Homeowners expanded their living spaces through sunroof additions, garage conversions, and second-story expansions. However, with these modifications, the AC unit is now undersized for the additional square footage. 

Or if you’ve recently installed an AC unit that’s comparatively bigger than your last one with no modifications in your house structure. Then, this can also be the reason behind your AC unit not cooling properly. An oversized AC unit might cause issues like short cycling and poor dehumidification in humid months. 

The Solution: Hire a local HVAC professional for a Manual J load calculation before installing an AC unit or whenever you expand your house. This will determine the correct cooling capacity your home requires. The technician will take into account items like the height and area of your house, the number of windows and exterior doors, the number of occupants, and many other factors. 

6. Ductwork Leaks in Attics 

According to a study, attic temperature can reach from 150 to 160°F during a hot day in Texas. When that happens, the extreme heat degrades duct sealant and insulation faster. With leaky ductwork, you may notice certain rooms feel warmer or cooler than others. Also, when 20-30% of cooled air escapes through leaks, it’ll result in wasted energy and higher utility bills. 

The Solution: Get your ductwork inspected professionally with thermal imaging technology. Use mastic sealant over a leak. It remains flexible and can bear even 200°C of temperature. Also, consider replacing the duct insulation with R-8 insulation, which is designed to withstand Central Texas Attic conditions. 

Hire Grande Air Solutions to Bring Your Comfort Back:

If you suspect your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly in Pflugerville, get your system inspected for the reasons mentioned above. Or see if you can troubleshoot the issue on your own. For instance, you can change the dirty air filters. Also, an annual inspection is mandatory for the smooth working of your AC unit. And monthly maintenance can save you from costly repairs later on. 

Ensure your Pflugerville home stays comfortable throughout the scorching summers and get your system inspected by HVAC professionals like the techs at Grande Air Solution for long-term fixes! Call (512) 677-4424 to schedule a visit!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is my air filter dirty or clogged?

A restricted filter blocks airflow, causing the evaporator coils to freeze and preventing the system from cooling your home effectively.

Are the outdoor condenser coils dirty?

Dirt and debris on the exterior unit prevent heat from escaping, which forces the system to work harder without actually lowering the temperature.

Is the thermostat set correctly?

A simple setting error or a dying battery can prevent the AC from triggering the cooling cycle, even if the fan is running.

Is there a refrigerant leak?

Low refrigerant levels due to a leak will significantly reduce cooling capacity and can eventually lead to a total compressor failure.

Is the outdoor unit losing power?

A tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse can shut down the compressor while the indoor fan continues to blow warm air.

Author
George Arlen
George Arlen, an accomplished author, expertly weaves narratives on business strategies and home improvement tips, engaging readers with practical insights and valuable advice.
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Eddie
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From the get go, Kassidy was excellent in scheduling options and even managed to snag me an earlier time slot than previous discussed. She took the time to reach out and confirm. A major shout out to Jamie and Carlo—talk about pros. They were excellent on providing education and explaining the why behind my duct issues. This was the initial inspection and I’ll make sure to leave details once the work is completed.
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Jose Carlos Rodriguez
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Awesome
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Eric Corum
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Very professional, great communicators, and very thorough.
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Agustin Hernandez
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Todo muy profesional desde que hablé para pedir información la Srita que me atendió muy amable y el técnico que vino a mi casa también muy amable y profesional resolvió todas mis dudas 100% recomendable
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Cindi Taylor
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What an amazing team of people! I came home from vacation and my house was hot. It was hot outside- Austin in the summer hot. I spoke with Petra and she was able to get a technician out within a couple of hours. That in itself is quite a feat given it was after 1:30pm. Jaime Ortega was dispatched and came to check the system. This guy has great customer service skills! He is a is very respectful, polite, communicate well, explains what is going on and is very thorough. He was joined by Carlos, who is also very polite, considerate and knowledgeable. These guys make a really great team. I was told there were several problems and I explained I had been trying to deal with one side of my house not working properly and the other side never getting cool in the summer and warm in the winter. My electric bills over the last 2 months were unsustainable. They went into the attic and traced down all the ductwork, discovered some of it had been installed incorrectly and they formulated a solution. It was also decided by me to replace the entire AC system. By the time this was decided, it was well after 6:30pm. I asked when we would be able to get this to happen and they said - tomorrow! They showed up on time and regretably I did not get the 3rd team member's name- and he deserves a shout out too. They worked for more than 8 hours in that horrible heat- got the system installed and everything cleaned up, packed up, and left the space better than they found it. I really appreciate skilled professionals that respect someone's home and who take the time to talk with me and let me know what is going on, what they are finding and how to take care of my investment. I have chosen for several years to be part of their maintenance membership plan and I have never been disappointed- even when I have an unexpected event - like a system failure while on vacation. I have had the privilege of meeting one of the owners, talking with the administrative staff, and 3 technicians that are really awesome people. These guys care about the quality of work they perform and they work to keep their customers happy. No wonder they have such great reviews! I am very happy with the service I received, the way I was treated and the value they bring to their industry. Keep up the good work! I will certainly tell everyone I know to call you when they need help. Perfect name too- GRANDE AIR SOLUTIONS!!!
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Lourdes Alonso
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A/C stopped working on a Friday night and Isael came out within the hour and got it working. He was really knowledgeable and showed us other areas to keep an eye on. He stayed long enough to make sure the system was lowering the temperature in the house.
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Sascha Rips
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Our A/C went out late in the day on a Friday. Grande Air was able to get us in Friday evening and got our A/C up and running in just a short time. Prices were also very reasonable even though it was a weekend evening. We will definitely use them again for future A/C needs.
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Kiersten Legge
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Jaime was AWESOME!!! Professional and let us know each step he was taking in diagnosis and repair. Love Grande!!!!!
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