5 Weird Reasons Why You AC Doesn’t Work (And What to Do About It)

Nothing’s worse than coming home to a hot house in the middle of summer. Problems with your air conditioning are one of the most annoying and unwelcome home issues to run into.

On top of standard malfunctions, there are some weird and surprising reasons your AC doesn’t work. Here are a few of them.

You Have Closed Air Vents

Many people think that closing air vents in unused rooms helps you save money and keep your used rooms cooler.

It makes sense, as you’d think the cold air that would be used for that room should pass over the vent and funnel into another.

But this practice is actually bad for your AC system.

The system is designed for a certain amount of air flow. Closing a vent changes that ideal air flow. Over time, this can cause your evaporator coil to freeze and make your unit work harder, causing more energy usage.

You Change Temperatures Often

Machines operate much more efficiently when running at a consistent level.

Think about cars and gas mileage. Stop-and-go traffic burns more gasoline than going a steady 70 MPH on an interstate. Slowing down and accelerating back up to speed over and over uses more energy.

AC units are the same way. If you fluctuate between low and high temperatures frequently, it uses more energy and puts more strain on the unit.

For the best results, keep your AC within a small range.

Critters Have Damaged Your Unit

Outside AC units are vulnerable to a variety of threats. Among these threats are animals such as mice, snakes, and even your own pets.

Small creatures can craw inside the tiny crevices in the machinery. They can damage fan blades or cause clogging in valves and tubes.

If your own furry family members have a habit of lifting their leg around the unit, the acidity of their urine can also corrode and damage the coils and fins.

Your Air Filter is Dirty

The purpose of a central AC filter is to trap dirt and other air pollutants to make sure your home is circulating clean air.

All those dirty substances build up over time. As they collect, air flow through the filter becomes restricted. This means cool air has a more difficult time getting to your rooms.

Changing your air filter every few months is a standard household chore. Make sure you don’t forget to do it and then go read more on basic AC maintenance and upkeep.

You Set the Thermostat Wrong

The final reason your AC doesn’t work is easily the silliest.

Sometimes a “broken AC” is nothing more than a misclick of a button on a thermostat.

If your air conditioning is putting out hot air instead of cold, make sure it’s set to COOL instead of HEAT.

It’s a simple mistake that we’ve all made at one point or another, but double-checking before you call the repairman can save you a bit of embarrassment.

Is the Way Your AC Doesn’t Work Weird?

Sometimes the machines in our home decide not to work for weird reasons. Do you have a weird or funny story about why your AC doesn’t work? If so, share it with us!

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