Why Is My AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Causes and How to Stay Ahead of the Next Breakdown

When the Air Isn’t Cold — and the Panic Sets In

It’s 87 degrees outside, your AC is running, but the air coming out of the vents? Barely cool.

If your air conditioner isn’t keeping up, you’re not alone — this is one of the most common homeowner issues every summer. But the real question isn’t just what’s wrong now... it’s how do I stop this from happening again?

Let’s start with the usual suspects.

✅ 5 Common Reasons Your AC Isn’t Cooling Properly

1. Dirty Air Filter
   Clogged filters block airflow, overwork the system, and reduce efficiency. If it’s been more than 30–60 days since your last change, this is your first move.

2. Frozen Evaporator Coil
   Low airflow or refrigerant issues can cause ice buildup inside the system, restricting cooling. Turn it off and let it thaw.

3. Blocked Condenser Unit
   Check the outside unit for grass, leaves, or debris. A clogged condenser can’t properly release heat — meaning your system can’t cool the air inside.

4. Low Refrigerant
   This typically signals a leak. If the air starts cool and fades fast, call a technician — this isn’t a DIY fix.

5. Faulty Thermostat or Electrical Issues
   Sometimes the system is fine — it’s just not getting the right signal to turn on or off. Check batteries and settings first.

💡 Fix the Problem — Then Track the Pattern

The worst part of AC issues isn’t the fix. It’s having to fix the same thing again next summer — because you didn’t know when the last tune-up was, or forgot to change the filter, or couldn’t find the warranty info.

That’s where HomeLedger comes in:

✅ Log every AC service, tune-up, and repair
✅ Track filter change dates
✅ Store HVAC warranties and technician invoices
✅ Get seasonal reminders before the next heat wave hits

👉 Don’t wait until your system fails again.

Start using HomeLedger to keep your AC — and every major system — running smoothly, year after year.