Why is my AC running but the house won't cool down?

A dirty filter, frozen coil, dirty outdoor coil, low refrigerant or ducts leaking into the attic are the usual causes. On the hottest afternoons a system may also simply be too small for the house.

Is water around the indoor unit an emergency?

Turn the AC off to stop the overflow and dry the area. A clogged drain is often a quick fix, but water in ceilings or walls should be dealt with promptly.

AC Repair · Pensacola, FL

AC Repair in Pensacola, FL

When the AC quits in a Pensacola summer, the house heats up fast and the humidity climbs with it. A few checks can rule out the simple causes while you wait for help.

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Start at the thermostat

Make sure it's set to cool, the setting is below the room temperature and the fan is on auto. Replace the batteries if the display is faint or blank, and give the system five minutes after any change before deciding it isn't working.

Breakers and the disconnect

Check the breaker panel for a tripped AC or air handler breaker, and look at the disconnect box beside the outdoor unit. If a breaker trips again right after you reset it, leave it off and book a repair.

Diagram: the outdoor disconnect box sits on the wall near the condenser. It must be on for the unit to run.

Check the filter

A clogged filter cuts airflow, which can freeze the indoor coil and leave you with almost no cooling. In a long cooling season, many homes need a fresh filter every month or so.

Diagram: the filter slides into the air handler or sits behind a return grille. The arrow points toward the unit.

Ice on the lines

Frost or ice on the copper lines or the indoor unit means the coil is too cold, usually from poor airflow or low refrigerant. Switch the system off, let it thaw for a few hours and replace the filter before trying again.

Water where it shouldn't be

The indoor coil removes a lot of water from humid air. If the drain line clogs, water backs up into the pan, trips a float switch or leaks into a closet or ceiling.

Diagram: condensate drains from the pan through a pipe. A float switch can shut the AC off if the pan fills.

Outdoor unit humming

A unit that hums but won't start, or a fan that doesn't spin, often points to a failed capacitor or contactor. These are common in heat and should be replaced by a technician.

After a storm

Lightning and power surges from summer storms can damage AC controls and capacitors. If the unit stopped after a storm, check the breakers first, then book a repair if it still won't run.

Get it fixed

Tell the technician what the AC is doing, how old it is and anything you've checked. Send a request and an AC technician will get in touch.

Technician repairing an outdoor air conditioner

Frequently asked questions

Why is my AC running but the house won't cool down?: A dirty filter, frozen coil, dirty outdoor coil, low refrigerant or ducts leaking into the attic are the usual causes. On the hottest afternoons a system may also simply be too small for the house.
Is water around the indoor unit an emergency?: Turn the AC off to stop the overflow and dry the area. A clogged drain is often a quick fix, but water in ceilings or walls should be dealt with promptly.

Other air conditioning services

AC ReplacementNew systems sized for heat and humidity.Heat PumpsCooling in summer, efficient heat in winter.Ductless Mini-SplitsCooling for rooms the ducts don't reach.AC MaintenanceSpring checks before the long cooling season.ThermostatsSmart thermostats with humidity control.Ductwork & AirflowAttic duct sealing, repair and balancing.Humidity ControlDehumidifiers and fixes for damp, musty air.

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Repairs, renovations and new projects. Tell us what you need and we'll pass it straight to an AC technician, who will call you to go over the job and give you a quote.

AC repairs, replacements and new projects
Pensacola and the communities around the bay
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