Why is the air conditioner not cooling?
The usual reasons an air conditioner stops cooling are a dusty filter or low refrigerant from a leak. Cleaning the filter every month, and servicing the unit every six months, fixes most of these and extends the life of the unit.
Written by: Ajeer team
3 minute read
Common reasons an air conditioner stops cooling
The air conditioner is one of the most important appliances in a Saudi summer. When it stops blowing cold air, the room heats up quickly. Many of the causes are common, and some of them are simple to deal with.
1. Filters blocked with dust
Dust on the indoor filters is the first thing that stops cold air. When the filters clog, less air crosses the evaporator coil, cooling drops, and water can freeze on the coil.
2. A refrigerant leak
Refrigerant carries heat out of the room. A small leak at a copper pipe or a joint lowers the charge over time, until the unit blows warm air only.
3. A compressor fault
The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system. If it fails, or its electrical supply fails, you hear the fan and get no real cooling.
When do you need a technician?
Washing a dusty filter can be done at home. These signs mean you should book a technician:
- • A rattle or a hum from the outdoor unit when it tries to start.
- • Water leaking steadily from the indoor unit into the room.
- • A smell of burning, damp, or mould as soon as the unit starts.
- • The unit runs for hours with no real drop in room temperature.
Keep reading
For the practical filter steps, read how to clean an air conditioner from the inside. If cooling is weak and the bill is high together, read why the summer electricity bill rises. The visit price is shown before you confirm, in how to estimate a maintenance cost.
How often should air-conditioner filters be cleaned?
Clean the air filters once a month through summer and long running hours, so dust does not stay on them and the airflow stays cold.
What does an air-conditioner refrigerant recharge cost?
The cost depends on the type of unit (split or window) and its size, and on finding and repairing a leak before the gas is refilled. The exact price is in the Ajeer app when you book.
Can I clean the outdoor unit myself?
You can brush off light surface dust. Washing the outdoor unit with a pressure hose is better left to a technician, so the electrical circuit and the aluminium fins are not damaged.
How do I know the air conditioner needs a service?
Weak airflow, ice on the evaporator, or a compressor that keeps starting and stopping without cooling the room.
Related articles
Keep reading our experts' tips for cheaper, simpler home care
Air conditioningHow do you clean an air conditioner from the inside?
Cleaning an air conditioner from the inside starts with the filter: take it out, wash it with water, and let it dry. Do not pour water into the unit, and do not charge the refrigerant yourself.
TipsHow do you estimate a maintenance cost before the technician arrives?
The maintenance cost is the price shown in the Ajeer app before you confirm. That is the price at the door unless you agree to extra work. The golden warranty covers the same fault for 30 days.
Air conditioningWhy does the summer electricity bill rise?
In most Saudi homes the air conditioner causes the summer jump in the bill. This guide covers what uses the electricity, what you can check yourself, and when to book an AC technician.
