Whether your home's air conditioning system is not blowing any cold air or is simply not blowing enough cold air to maintain a comfortable temperature, this is an issue to remedy as quickly as possible. Thankfully, this can often be resolved rather quickly with just a bit of troubleshooting. However, in some cases, you will find that the services of an HVAC contractor will ultimately be required in order to get your cooling system back up and running properly. Completing the three troubleshooting steps below can help you to determine if these professional AC repairs are necessary in your specific case. 

Step 1: Make Sure Your Air Filter Is Clean

A soiled air filter can easily interfere with your cooling system's ability to draw in enough air from around your home. Since the amount of cool air your system is able to produce is directly related to how much warm air it is able to take in, this reduction in airflow can be the cause of your system's inability to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Simply hold your current air filter an arm's length in front of you. If you are not able to see through the filter, it is in need of replacement. 

Step 2: Make Sure Your Outside Condenser Is Free From Debris

Just as a dirty air filter inside your home can restrict airflow, so can a clogged outdoor condenser. To eliminate any debris that may be clogging your condenser, begin by manually pulling any long grass or weeds that have grown around the unit. This should always be done by hand since lawn maintenance equipment can cause damage to your condenser. 

Next, you will want to use a standard garden hose to wash down the unit. Do not use a power washer or a powerful hose attachment to complete this task as the high water pressure can also damage your unit. All you need to get the job done is a basic stream of water that is allowed to flow over the unit. This will wash away any dust and dirt that could be preventing proper airflow.

Step 3: Make Sure Your Cooling Coils Have Not Frozen Over

While you may think that frozen cooling coils would make the air coming from your AC unit even colder, the truth is that this relatively common problem can actually prevent air from flowing through your cooling system as a result of ice buildup. The safest and most efficient way to defrost these coils is to turn off your air conditioner and allow the coils to naturally defrost. This process can take several hours if the ice buildup on your coils is significant. 

Call In A Professional

If you have completed all three steps above and are still experiencing issues with your air conditioning system, you will need to turn to an HVAC contractor for help in finding and repairing the underlying issue. To help save time and narrow down the potential causes of your current AC problems, be sure to inform your repair contractor of all the troubleshooting steps you have taken and what if any changes these troubleshooting efforts had on the performance of your air conditioner. 

For more information on air conditioning repair contact a local HVAC contractor.