Thermostat settings
It may be on HEAT or on a schedule that's raising the temperature. A fan set to ON can also make air feel warmer between cycles.
Heating & cooling problem
AC running but not cooling the house?
If the air conditioner is on but the house isn't getting cooler, the cause can be as simple as a setting or a filter, or something only a licensed tech can fix, like refrigerant. Start with the easy ones.
Still stuck? Show a licensed heating and cooling tech on video · $34 for 15 minutes
What's likely going on
These are typical causes, not a diagnosis. A pro looking at yours can tell you which it is.
A dirty filter
Low airflow makes the AC cool poorly, and can even let the indoor coil freeze over.
A crowded outdoor unit
The outdoor unit has to shed heat. Leaves, grass clippings, cottonwood fluff or plants pressed against it can reduce how well it cools.
A frozen coil
Ice on the copper lines or the indoor unit points to an airflow or refrigerant problem. It has to thaw before it will cool again.
Refrigerant or a failed part
A refrigerant leak, a failed capacitor or a compressor problem all need a licensed tech.
Safe things to check yourself
- Check the thermostatSet it to COOL, a few degrees below room temperature, with the fan on AUTO. Replace its batteries if it uses them.
- Check the filterSlide out the furnace filter. If it's clogged, put in a clean one of the same size.
- Check the outdoor unit runsIs the fan on top spinning? If not, check the panel (door only) for a tripped breaker and make sure the shut-off box beside the unit hasn't been switched off.
- Clear around itRemove leaves, debris and plants from around the outdoor unit so air can move freely. Don't open its panels.
- Look for iceCheck the copper line at the outdoor unit and around the indoor coil. If you see ice, switch cooling off and run just the fan to thaw it.
- Check the ventsMake sure supply vents are open and not blocked by furniture or rugs.
Stop and leave it to a licensed tech
- You smell burning, or the outdoor unit is buzzing loudly, smoking or sparking. Switch it off at the thermostat and call a pro.
- The breaker for the AC trips again after one reset.
- Ice comes back after it has thawed.
- You see oily residue on the lines or fittings, which can point to a refrigerant leak.
Refrigerant work and electrical repairs inside the AC unit need a licensed tech on site. Don't open the outdoor unit's panels.
Show a licensed heating and cooling tech on video
Point your phone at it and a licensed heating and cooling tech tells you what's likely going on, what's safe to try next and whether it needs someone on site. $34 for 15 minutes or $59 for 30, and you only pay when a pro connects. Hollr is launching across Canada, so join the waitlist for your invite.
Questions
Advice only: Hollr pros diagnose and guide over video, and refer anything that needs hands on site. Live electrical panels and gas lines are never walked through on a call. Hollr checks every heating and cooling tech's licence with the provincial body that issues it. How we check.
Why is my AC running but the house isn't cooling down?
Common causes are a thermostat setting, a clogged filter, an outdoor unit that's dirty or crowded, or a frozen coil. If those all check out, low refrigerant or a failed part is likely, and that needs a licensed tech.
Should I turn off an AC that has frozen up?
Yes. Switch cooling off and run the fan to help it thaw, then check the filter. If it freezes again, call a tech. It often points to an airflow or refrigerant problem.
Can I add refrigerant myself?
No. Handling refrigerant is regulated and needs a certified tech. Low refrigerant also usually means there's a leak that needs finding and fixing.
Can an HVAC tech help over video?
Yes, for diagnosis. On a Hollr call, a licensed tech can look at your thermostat, filter and outdoor unit with you, and tell you whether it needs a visit and what to ask for.