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What to Do If AC Is Not Cooling

Your air conditioner is a big part of keeping your home comfortable, but it can be an afterthought until you actually need it. When those warm temperatures kick in, you want your AC unit to promptly kick in, as well. Sometimes that’s not the case, and the air conditioner either doesn’t cool your home or is blowing cold air. Because of Colorado’s climate, you never know when you’ll have to switch between heating and air conditioning in Denver.

There could be a few reasons for this, and some of them could be simple fixes you can take care of in your home. However, if you’re uncomfortable doing anything with your air conditioner, make sure to call a professional technician to check things out. Here are some of the reasons why your air conditioner might not be cooling properly.

Check Simple Solutions First

There are a few things that could be happening if your AC isn’t blowing cold air, and the best way to troubleshoot is to start simple. Check your thermostat and make sure it is set properly – ensuring that it is set to use the AC and not just the fan. You can also reboot or reset the unit to make sure the fresh signals are getting through.

If you can’t remember the last time you replaced the air filter inside of the system, that could be the culprit. Those filters get clogged with dust and dirt, and that can affect the flow of air from the unit throughout your home. A clogged filter can cause your system to overwork, trying to meet the demands set by your thermostat. Leaving a clogged filter in place too long can even cause your system to freeze up.

Inspect Coils & Compressors

Dirty coils can also cause your system not to cool. The condenser coils are generally located outside the compressor unit, and the evaporator coils are enclosed near the indoor blower unit. If either of these sets of coils gets dirty, the amount of cold air coming from the unit can be diminished. You can clean they by removing the protective metal enclosures. Make sure to use a non-rinse cleaner for the evaporator coils, and there are specific condenser coil cleaners to use for those specific coils, as well. Always make sure to read the instructions properly when attempting this on your own.

If there is anything piled around or up against the compressor unit, it can lead to the unit pulling an insufficient amount of air. This component is usually on the back of the outdoor unit, and can get covered by things such as leaves or weeds. Clearing that area can help with the performance. Make sure the power is off before attempting to clean the coils or compressors.

Don’t be afraid to call a professional if any of these things seem too daunting, or if you can’t pinpoint what is causing the issue. For more information or help figuring out why your air conditioner isn’t cooling, call the experts at Go Green Heating & Air Conditioning today.

How Do You Clean an Air Conditioner?

The comfort of your home is a vital part of daily life. During those long heat spells of late summer and early fall, the last thing you want is your air conditioner not working up to par – or not working at all. Not every malfunctioning air conditioner is in need of replacement or expensive repairs. If an A/C unit is working overtime to keep your house at a comfortable level, cleaning it might get it back working correctly again.

Clean Your A/C Unit’s Outside

The outside of your air conditioner takes a beating from the elements, meaning dirt and other debris can pile up quick. Start by shutting off the power and then remove the fan unit and grill on the top. Once that’s removed, you’ll be able to see all the debris inside. Follow that up by cleaning the coils and fins. This can be done with a pre-made cleaning solution found at a hardware or home improvement store.

Follow that by straightening the air conditioners fins – since they’re a vital piece to your efficiency that keeps costs down. A fin tool can be purchased at the same home improvement store where you bought the cleaning solution. Once those are back in place, clean around the unit and make sure its level before returning the fan and grill.

Head Inside to Complete the Cleaning

The power to the unit should still be off, so open up the unit and clean the evaporator coils. Those simply need to have the dust from the coils brushed away, and this might require a mask depending on the amount f dust. You can get a specific cleaning spray for this task at the same store as previously mentioned, and make sure to get those hard to reach areas.

Once finished with the evaporator coils, clean out the drain pan. Soap and water are usually sufficient, but for really dirty jobs, using some bleach with the water won’t hurt. If that soap and water takes some time to drain, you might need to clear the A/C unit’s drain. Put the panel back on seal it with new HVAC tape – but make sure to leave the label visible.

Preventative Maintenance is Important

Making sure your air conditioner is running clean and efficient can help you save money and keep your space comfortable year round. The best way to stay away from serious breakdowns is to catch those issues before they happen. Replace your filters, and make sure you have the right size. While you’re at it, check the lines to the condenser unit to make sure that there aren’t any fraying or splits in the cables or cords. Just doing these quick things every once in a while can go a long way in getting in front of major issues.

Your air conditioner is a complex appliance, and it’s important that you do not attempt repairs on your own if you’re unsure of the process. If you still have any questions or need help cleaning your A/C unit, contact the experts in Denver air conditioning repair at Go Green Heating & Air Conditioning today.

How do I calculate what size air conditioner I need?

Finding the right size air conditioner for your home is important for many reasons. This not only ensures that your home is at the perfect temperature all summer long, but it can also save money on your utility bills. Before you invest in a new air conditioner, or call for Denver air conditioner repair, read up on some of the best tips for calculating what size AC unit you need for your home.

Why choosing the right size AC matters

Choosing the wrong size air conditioner can negatively impact your home (and your bank account!). An AC unit that’s too big often results in more upkeep than you have time for and can cost a lot upfront. Smaller units may save your wallet from the get-go, but they’ll do a poor job of cooling your space and cost you more in energy efficiency. A unit that’s not sized correctly to your home won’t run at the capacity that it’s supposed to, causing excess breakdowns and maintenance issues in the long-term. This is why it’s so important to size an AC unit correctly.

How to calculate size

Calculating an air conditioning unit’s size is rather easy once you know the equation. To find the perfect size air conditioner for your home, you’ll need to find the overall BTU needed. Per professional sizing guides, air conditioners require around 20 to 25 BTU of cooling capacity per each square foot of living space.

First, find the square footage of your home. Square footage is found by multiplying the overall length and width of an area. For example, if the room or area is 12 feet wide by 15 feet long, 12 x 15 = 180 sq. ft. Then, multiply the square footage by 25 BTU (the recommended cooling capacity per square foot) to find the overall BTU cooling capacity needed. For this sized space, that would be an air conditioner with a BTU of 4500.

Although this number may seem high, experts recommend 20 to 25 BTU per square foot so that AC units continue to function at high-efficiency no matter fluctuating temperatures or levels of humidity.

Where to find the best air conditioner for your home

When it comes to air conditioner repair and replacement, you can rely on a professional to help you choose the best high-efficiency air conditioner for your home. Go Green Heating & Air Conditioning can ensure that your central air conditioning system is properly sized and functioning at full-capacity. This process checks for air leaks and insulation, system efficiency, and energy ratings.

Keep your home comfortable all year long, all while investing in a more energy-efficient air conditioning system, by contacting Go Green Heating & Air Conditioning.

How to Test Air Conditioner Efficiency

Air conditioners are a household essential. Find out how well yours works.

Your home’s air conditioner is a valuable tool. Chances are that you can’t imagine your home without it. When the warm summer air comes rolling in, you might find yourself wondering how well your air conditioner works. Is it an efficient system—or is there something that you can do to make it more efficient? Let’s explore this in more detail.

Testing Air Conditioner Efficiency

The efficiency of your air conditioner really comes down to how well it works. Air conditioner efficiency can change depending on our systems, our homes, and our personal choices. There are many factors at play here, so we will discuss a few of the more common ones.

Consider Areas Where You’re Losing Cold Air

The first consideration when determining the efficiency of your system comes down to the efficiency of your home. Factors like your windows and level of insulation can play a huge role here. Do you have windows that leak cold air? Is there a large gap under your door? How old is your home’s insulation? Consider these factors to determine the overall efficiency.

Keep a Clean Air Filter

Your filter can tell you a lot about the efficiency of your system. If your filter is filthy and clogged, your system’s efficiency will automatically drop. Be sure to look at just how clean your filter is—and clean or replace it if necessary. A dirty filter is an indicator of an inefficient system.

Clean Your Vents

Your home’s vents are another feature that can influence how efficient your system is. If you notice that your vents all look dirty and messy, you will know that your system isn’t efficient. When you see a lot of debris clogging up your vents, it is time to call in a team to get them cleaned so that cold air can easily be distributed throughout the home.

Look at How Cold Your Home is

The general temperature of your home can tell you how efficient your system is. When you feel like your home isn’t getting as cold as it used to, or if your home seems like it is hardly cooler than the outside air, this can tell you a lot about its efficiency. A home that isn’t getting cold like it should needs some work. It might be your system, or it might mean you need to make some of these other changes.

The Takeaway

An efficient air conditioner is one that will be able to effortlessly cool your home in summer—but there is more at play here than just the system. For the help with heating and air conditioning Denver residents need, we are here to help. You can have an efficient system that will keep your home cool all summer long—and during those hot fall days too!

What Causes an AC Compressor to Stop Working

Your AC compressor is an important part of your system—find out what can break it.

Your AC compressor is a valuable part of your air conditioner. Without it, the system truly cannot run. For this reason, there are times when you will find yourself looking to get your AC compressor back on track—but this means being able to find out what is wrong with it. In this article, we are going to explore a few reasons why your AC compressor might stop working.

Disrupting an AC Compressor

AC compressors are very important. In many cases, they will begin to fade before they will outright quit—but that isn’t always the case. Knowing how to spot the signs, like a system that blows warm air or visibly seems to be malfunctioning, can be helpful. Of course, in order to fix it, you have to be able to spot the problem. Let’s explore a few of the more common disruptions.

Problems with the Lines

Your air conditioning compressor has quite a few lines in it—and these lines can lead you right to trouble. Suction lines, in particular, are a point of concern. When they become blocked with debris, you will find that the AC compressor may outright fail. However, with some systems, the problem comes down to the lines being the wrong size to support AC efforts.

Electrical Issues

Electricity runs the modern world, and your air conditioning compressor is no different. If your system is experiencing electrical problems, you will find that your AC compressor is also going to struggle. This can lead to it failing in the long run.

A Lack of Lubricant

Lubrication plays a vital role in most mechanical systems. You will find that this is also the case with your AC compressor. If you don’t have the right amount of oil lubricant, you might just run into trouble. Worse, a lack of lubricant can damage any system and force you to need replacement parts.

Dirt or Contaminants

Nothing breaks a machine down quite like dirt or contaminants. When your system is dirty, it will always be less efficient. Over time, this lack of efficiency can turn into an outright failure. With any system, you always want to keep everything clean in order to keep it running smoothly. If you’re not sure how to do this, it is always a good idea to call in the professionals.

The Takeaway

When your AC compressor goes out, you might want to handle it yourself—but it’s okay if you don’t want to. We offer dedicated Denver air conditioner repair to restore your system and make sure that it is working exactly how it should. While we work, we always look for other signs of future problems, and we are happy to help with any of your needs. To get your air conditioner back online, contact us today to get started!