AC Running but Not Cooling? 7 Checks Before You Call in Dallas

AC Running but Not Cooling? 7 Checks Before You Call

1. Thermostat. Make sure it's set to Cool, not Fan or Heat, and below room temperature. Set the fan to Auto. Replace the batteries if the screen is blank.
2. Air filter. A clogged filter chokes airflow and can freeze the coil. ENERGY STAR says to check it monthly in summer and change it at least every three months.
3. Breakers. The indoor and outdoor units often have separate breakers. Reset a tripped one once. If it trips again, stop and call.
4. Vents. Open all supply vents and move furniture, rugs and curtains away from them and the return grille.
5. Outdoor unit. Clear grass, leaves and anything stacked against it. Check that the fan on top spins while the system runs.
6. Ice. Look for frost on the copper lines or the indoor coil. If you see ice, go to the next section.
7. Drain line. A clogged condensate drain can trip a float switch that shuts the system off. Water in the drain pan is the sign.

When It's a Repair Job

If the seven checks don't bring cold air back, these are the usual culprits:

• Capacitor. The outdoor fan hums but won't spin. Carrier warns that capacitors hold a high voltage charge even with the power off, so never touch one.
• Contactor. The outdoor unit won't start at all, even with the breaker on.
• Refrigerant leak. The coil keeps freezing, or the air is only slightly cool. On an older system that uses R-22, the EPA notes no new R-22 has been made or imported into the US since January 1, 2020.
• Fan motor. The indoor or outdoor fan runs slowly, makes noise or stops.

Our air conditioning repair and HVAC repair pages explain each of these fixes.

Why Texas Heat Breaks ACs

Dallas summers keep air conditioners running for hours without a break. The area logged 55 days of 100 degrees or more in 2023, according to the National Weather Service. Heat wears out capacitors and fan motors faster. A system that struggles in June often fails in August.