Common Summer HVAC Issues and How to Fix Them

Summer’s rising temperatures are no match for a working air conditioner, but interior relief can feel out of reach when your cooling system acts up. Don’t sweat it! Many common AC problems have easy solutions to blow your system cold again.

1. Air Conditioner Not Blowing Cold Air
An AC running non-stop without lowering indoor temperatures typically stems from three issues: 

Clogged Air Filter
A dirty filter blocks airflow, preventing hot air from properly exhausting outside. Slip in a new MERV 8-13 pleated or 4-inch thick filter. Mark calendars for a quick swap every 30-90 days. 

Condenser Coil Fins
Over time, outdoor unit fins become bent, reducing critical heat transfer. Straighten any mashed fins with a fin comb to maintain peak cooling.

Refrigerant Leaks
With age, refrigerant leaks out slowly. Too little refrigerant hampers an AC’s capacity to absorb and remove heat. Have an HVAC professional annually check levels and top off as needed.

2. AC System Freezing Up
Finding a frosty indoor evaporator coil means your AC is freezing up. The main triggers include:

Low Refrigerant
Not enough refrigerant can’t remove excess heat, leading to ice buildup on coils. Schedule professional repairs for any leaks.

Dirty Air Filter
Clogged filters reduce airflow across coils, dropping temperatures too low and causing the freeze.

Immediately turn off a freezing AC system to protect the compressor. Replace air filters, clear condenser coil debris, and call an HVAC technician to recharge refrigerant levels correctly.

3. Water Leaking From AC Unit
Don’t let pooling water around AC equipment put a damper on summer. Pinpoint the source, then take these actions:

Clogged Drain Line
Algae and gunk easily congest narrow drain lines. Try snaking a wire through to dislodge debris. Also, pour 1 cup bleach mixed with 1 gallon water down the line to kill growths.

Overflowing Drain Pan
Quickly remove water from the drain pan under indoor equipment. Adjust the drain line to improve flow or install a wider-diameter pipe. Inspect the pan for cracks that could allow leaks.

4. AC Blowing Hot Air
A running AC pushing hot air instead of cool breezes usually boils down to:

Dirty Air Filter
Clogged filters reduce airflow, preventing heat transfer. Prioritize swapping dirty filters out ASAP.

Frozen Coils
Ice on coils blocks refrigerant flow, halting cool air production. Defrost then addresses low refrigerant levels or airflow issues.

Broken Fan
No indoor blower fan rotation stops cooled air from circulating. Replace faulty fans so cooled air properly exhausts.

5. Refrigerant Leaks
With too little refrigerant, an AC loses cooling power. Identify and seal leaks for optimized performance.

Address hot air problems quickly to avoid compressing issues from operating with inadequate refrigerant levels or airflow.

Easy AC Fixes for a Cool Summer
Don’t let summer HVAC issues leave you steaming. In most cases, a little investigative work and simple maintenance get systems blowing cold again. Tackle clogged drain lines, dirty filters, and bent condenser coils yourself. Rely on a trusted HVAC technician for complex electrical, refrigerant, and airflow repairs. You can chill all summer with vigilant AC care and filter changes every season!