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What Should I Do If My Air Conditioner Is Running but Not Cooling?

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If you notice that your air conditioner is running but has stopped cooling the air, you should start investigating the possible causes.

Having an HVAC malfunction during the summer can be really uncomfortable. If you notice that your air conditioner is running but has stopped cooling the air, you should start investigating the possible causes. This symptom can be attributed to a list of issues that may or may not require professional attention. 

Here is what to start looking for and what to do when your unit stops cooling. 

Thomas came over promptly I spoke with him about my concerns with my unit. Immediately got to work trouble shooting and resolved my issues. A+
Response from the owner:Thank you, James, for your kind words and for recognizing Thomas's promptness and dedication in resolving your concerns; we appreciate your feedback!
We have called Thomas Hoffmann many times and they are very prompt and very professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Vicki, for your kind words about Thomas Hoffmann's promptness and professionalism; we truly appreciate your feedback!
Super friendly, helpful, and quick to make the fix.
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Not a customer, but witnessed one of their technicians have an episode of road rage in Clayton. I would be concerned about letting them into my house/business.
We really trust Thomas Hoffman AC and Heating. Nick Hoffman has serviced our units several times now and he is professional, knowledgeable and very easy to work with. He comes on time, so we don’t have to schedule a long waiting period. We would highly recommend this company.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Greg, for your kind words and for trusting us with your AC and heating needs; we’re glad to hear that Nick has provided you with such great service.
We’ve been looking for a locally owned small HVAC dealer for a few years. And we found it with Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating. We love their service technicians. They come on time, they know what they are doing, they don’t upsell you on every appointment and they like working for Thomas Hoffmann. A happy employee makes for a happy customer.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mary, for sharing your wonderful experience with us; we're glad to hear you appreciate our technicians and their commitment to great service!
I called on a Monday morning as air conditioning was blowing warm air. They were able to come to my house very early afternoon and fixed the problem. Would highly recommend and will use them again.
Response from the owner:Becky thank you so much for your great review. We appreciate your business and your kind words.
quick to arrive and fast service
Response from the owner:Thank you, Connie, for your kind words about our quick arrival and fast service; we appreciate your feedback!
Very good, pleased with service.
Response from the owner:Thank you! We're glad to hear you were pleased with our service and appreciate your kind words.
Excellent service from Nick!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Margaret! We appreciate your kind words and will make sure to pass along your praise to Nick for his excellent service.
I am very pleased with the service provided.
, especially the quick response to my request . The technician came in themorning and had my cooling system repaired within an hour. Thank you !
Response from the owner:We're delighted we could promptly assist you on a Sunday morning and fix your cooling system efficiently. Thank you!
Here on time, worked fast. Always pleasant and great answering questions. Zach always does a great job.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Debra, for your kind words; we're glad to hear Zach made a positive impression and that you had a great experience with our team!
great job
Response from the owner:Thank you, Joe! We appreciate your kind words and the support from everyone involved.
Extremely quick response for appointment and did quick fix for our furnace and heat is working great !
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're glad to hear our team was able to respond quickly and get your furnace working great. We appreciate your feedback!
They were timely, polite, professional and they saved us from too much sweating. In a field full of pompous and arrogant technicians, these guys take the time to explain what is wrong and how they are correcting it. Other folks just assume you are incompetent but these folks take the time to educate. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We truly appreciate your feedback and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience.
Great service and arrived on time when promised.
Response from the owner:Thank you Wray, for your kind words! We're glad to hear you had a great experience and that everything was on time.
I would like to have a receipt for my payment which I did not receive. On a positive note he was very punctual very early actually he did his job and was very professional and I'm hoping and praying this took care of the issue thank you and I would not hesitate at this time to use your services
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your feedback and for highlighting the punctuality and professionalism of our team; we appreciate your support and will ensure you receive your receipt promptly.
Our experience with them was fantastic all the way through! Not only were they able to get to our business that day but the customer service from the phone call to the on-site service was professional and quick. We'll definitely be using Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Michelle, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear about your fantastic experience and appreciate your kind words about our team's professionalism. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Zachary was here on the dot at 8:00am. Thank for making me the first stop as promised. Very friendly too.
Response from the owner:Thank you for recognizing our professionalism and friendliness!
Competence and knowledge have been my experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Beth, for sharing your experience; it means a lot to us!
I couldn’t be happier with the service from Thomas Hoffmann Air-Conditioning! From the moment I called, the team was professional, responsive, and truly knowledgeable. Thomas personally made sure everything was handled with great attention to detail. The installation was smooth, efficient, and the quality of the work exceeded my expectations. It’s rare to find a company that is both skilled and genuinely cares about their customers. I highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann Air-Conditioning to anyone looking for honest, reliable, and top-notch service. They’ve definitely earned a loyal customer!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Rick, for your kind words and for recognizing our team's hard work; we're grateful for your support and thrilled to have earned your loyalty!
Amazing service from Thomas Hoffmann! They made space in their schedule to come out the next day to fix our air conditioner. They were on time, honest and fixed the problem on the spot. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ashley! We appreciate your kind words about our team's service – it's great to hear we could help you so quickly.
Excellent Service!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Lynda, for your kind words about our service; we truly appreciate your support!
Fast efficient service. Both of the gentlemen that came to my home were very help and informative not to mention polite. It’s difficult to get service advisers to appear at your home when scheduled most times they’re late or don’t show up at all. Not an issue with this team on time, clear diagnosis, quick repair. I would definitely use Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning again. I recommend them highly.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Anna, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that our team provided you with timely and helpful service, and we appreciate your high recommendation.
Tom was great. Super quick and easy! Serviced my unit in under 24 hours.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Olivia! We appreciate your kind words about Tom and are glad to hear your unit was serviced so quickly.
I have complete trust in Thomas Hoffman AC . I have had multiple
technicians who are always polite and knowledgeable.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your trust in our team, Henry! We appreciate your kind words about our technicians.
The OG brother, Thomas Hoffmann, his son Nick, who and the entire team are fantastic! They have my highest respect and recommendation!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jane! We truly appreciate your kind words about Thomas, Nick, and the entire team; your support means a lot to us!
Fast response and great quality work.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about our fast response and quality work; we truly appreciate your support!
Very quick and efficient
Response from the owner:Thank you, for your kind words; we appreciate your recognition of our quick and efficient service!
He got my ac up in running in no time.
Response from the owner:Thank you, T! We're glad to hear that everything is running smoothly and appreciate your recognition of our team's effort.
Giovanni was amazing. Explained everything in detail.and really made sure my unit is operating at its best. Very happy with them.
Response from the owner:Thank you, William! We're glad to hear Giovanni provided such detailed service and ensured your unit is running smoothly.
Came out immediately after a time slot opened and fixed the AC issue.
Response from the owner:Thank you, James, for your kind words! We're glad we could address your AC issue promptly.
Outstanding in every respect.
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Zachary was very knowledgeable and informative! Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Beth! We're so glad you found Zachary knowledgeable and informative—we appreciate your recommendation!
First visit for my maintenance program. Arrived on time. Very polite to talk to. They discussed what they did and everything was good. They were professional. I would recommend this company to everyone.
Response from the owner:We're delighted to hear about your positive first visit experience with us! Thank you for recommending our services.
They were quick and did an exce
llent job on a very hot day. Thank you
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating, Tom!
Very knowledgeable. Very professional. Tom was very thorough and finally confirmed the issues in the system that no one else bothered to check.
Response from the owner:Thank you, David, for your kind words; it's great to hear that Tom's thoroughness made a difference in addressing the issues in the system. We look forward to working with you in the future!
Excellent Service. Thank you Zackery
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Buzz! It was a pleasure assisting you.
I’ve been using “THOMAS Hoffmann Airconditioning and Heating” for years now. We have a 30 +\- year old system that works perfectly for us. Although we’ve not had to use it yet, it is comforting to know they offer a 24 hour on call service. I really appreciate that the technicians don’t try to upsell us on anything. They’re a very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous, local-family owned and operated business. I’ve also found their pricing to be very fair and by”fair” I don’t mean “cheap” but reasonable… especially for the quality of service provided by THOMAS Hoffmann HVAC. I love supporting smaller family owned business and this one is top-notch! Thank you guys!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your continued support and kind words, Mari! We truly appreciate your loyalty and are glad to hear about your positive experiences with our services. We look forward to continuing to provide you with top-notch service in the future.
Great customer service & experience for our HVAC System! They installed two UV lights and a dehumidifier. On time, great service, the new items work great - Great HVAC Service in St. Louis! Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Brandon, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that you had a great experience with your installations Your satisfaction is our priority!
Thank you Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning for doing a great of repairing our HVAC system that was damaged during a power outage. You installed our new HVAC system late last year and promptly responded to our call for repair after a power surge impacted our subdivision.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Don, for your kind words! We're glad to hear that Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning was able to assist you so quickly after the power surge and that you're satisfied with your new HVAC system. Your support means a lot to us!
Always great service!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Chris! We appreciate your kind words about our service and are glad to hear you had a great experience.

Create the Proper Conditions for a Diagnosis

Before you can identify the possible causes of your HVAC malfunction, make sure you create good conditions for testing it. 

  • First of all, close all your windows to prevent hot air from coming inside. 
  • Check the current room temperature and set your thermostat to a cooler value, it may simply not be set correctly.
  • If you are using other air processing appliances like humidifiers or air purifiers, turn them off.
  • Check the vents and make sure they are not obstructed.

Once you have created these conditions, it’s time to find the culprit through elimination. It’s possible that after taking these steps, you may notice that your system is actually working correctly. If not, here is a list of the most common causes for an HVAC unit that is running but not cooling. Get in touch with an HVAC technician who can help identify and resolve any issues with your air conditioner.

Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant is the substance used in air conditioning units and refrigerators to cool the air or fluid that circulates through them. If your HVAC system has refrigerant leaks, it will simply not be able to cool the air, but it will still circulate it. Some units can self-diagnose low refrigerant, but without such a feature, only an HVAC professional can measure the level of the refrigerant. 

Clogged HVAC Interior

Air not cooling can be a sign of improper maintenance of the HVAC unit. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for routine maintenance and clean the air filters, coil, condenser, evaporator, etc. Clear any debris or vegetation around the outdoor unit and make sure the unit is not flooded with water. 

Insufficient Airflow

Another cause for the HVAC not cooling down your house is that the cool air never gets to the interior. Fortunately, this means that the unit itself works perfectly, but you need to investigate the airflow before the problem worsens. Check the cold air returns to see if there is any suction (try using a paper tissue to check the movement of the air). All the vents in your house should let the air flow properly.

Thermostat Malfunction

Your HVAC unit may be working perfectly, but the thermostat is having some sort of issue. Make sure it works properly by checking the display if it’s blank you might want to try replacing the batteries or calling an HVAC expert to check the wiring. 

Electrical Malfunction

Most issues that HVAC repair teams deal with are caused by electrical malfunctions. If you notice that your HVAC unit has stopped cooling the air, check the electric panel to see if any of the breakers were tripped. They should be labeled for easy identification. Try flipping them in the off position and see if that solves your problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling?

This could be due to a variety of issues such as low refrigerant levels, clogged filters, or electrical problems. It’s best to have a professional HVAC technician diagnose and resolve these issues, as they have the tools and expertise to handle refrigerants and electrical systems safely.

What does it mean if your air conditioner is running but not cooling?

Often, this indicates that something is preventing the system from functioning efficiently. Possible reasons include a malfunctioning thermostat, blocked vents, or internal obstructions. A professional can conduct a thorough check to identify and fix the underlying problem.

What to do if your air conditioner is running but not cooling?

It’s advisable to ensure that the thermostat is set correctly and that there are no obvious blockages affecting air flow. Beyond these basic checks, contacting a qualified HVAC professional is the safest way to handle issues like refrigerant leaks or system recalibration.

How can I fix my air conditioner that runs but doesn’t cool?

Handling HVAC issues involves dealing with complex components that might require handling hazardous materials or electrical systems. Therefore, while routine maintenance like cleaning accessible filters and ensuring clear surroundings can generally be done safely, any deeper issues should be addressed by professionals.

What are common reasons for an air conditioner to stop cooling but still run?

Common reasons can include issues with the thermostat settings, blockages in the air circulation paths, or mechanical failures within the unit. An HVAC technician can offer the best solutions after a professional assessment, ensuring that any repairs or adjustments are done safely and effectively.

If you notice that your air conditioner is running but not cooling your home, give our team a call today and we’ll get to the bottom of your issue!

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At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and maintain your business or home’s HVAC system.

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