Once the weather warms up for the season and you finally turn on your home's central air conditioner, you may have noticed that it is not blowing out as much cool air as it did previously. If the unit itself seems to be running smoothly with no apparent issues, such as unusual noises, strange odors, or rapid short-cycling, there are a couple of other possible reasons why the system is having problems keeping your house cool.
1. Refrigerant Line Is Leaking, Resulting in a Low Level
One possible reason why your air conditioner is no longer blowing out cold air is that the refrigerant level is low. When the refrigerant level is too low, not enough will run through the compressor lines to allow for cooling of air that comes into contact with them.
However, a low level will require more than simply filling up the unit with more refrigerant. Since the liquid runs through a closed system that includes the compressor and the refrigerant lines, it is not used up and does not evaporate over time.
If the level is low, this means that there is a leak somewhere within the system. If you suspect that this may be the case, you will need a professional to check out the lines to see if they need replacing as well as to replenish the refrigerant level.
2. Expansion Valve Within the System Is Faulty
If the refrigerant level is normal and no leaks are found, there is another possible cause of the system's lack of cooling ability that also has to do with the refrigerant. It is possible that the expansion valve within the system is faulty.
In its normal state, refrigerant is liquid, and if it remains a liquid, it is unable to cool the air flowing through the system. It needs a catalyst to turn it into a mist to release its cooling properties.
When working properly, the expansion valve lowers the pressure around the liquid to turn it into the mist. However, if the part is failing, it may not be able to lower the pressure enough to serve as the catalyst for the refrigerant.
Whether the AC system's issue with cooling your home is caused by low refrigerant levels or a faulty expansion valve, neither of these problems should be addressed by you, as they need to be handled with someone with the training and license to handle refrigerant and the parts that regulate it. Contact an HVAC contractor who offers air conditioning repair services in your area to have them verify the cause of the system's cooling problem so that they can fix it.
