Is your central air conditioner not cooling properly? Start with the furnace main control board, although this is an uncommon failure. If the condensing unit contactor is not receiving 24 volts or the furnace blower motor is not getting power, the control board may be defective. Next, check for an airflow problem, which is a common reason a central air conditioner is not blowing cold air. A clogged air filter or blower wheel can restrict airflow, cause the evaporator coil to freeze, and leave your home AC not cooling. Replace the air filter as recommended and make sure registers are open and unobstructed. A faulty contactor can also keep voltage from reaching the condensing unit, while a failed dual run capacitor can cause the fan motor to run noisily, overheat, or stop. If airflow is good, the coils are clean, and the blower, fan, and compressor run but the air conditioner is still not cooling, a refrigerant leak or restriction in the sealed system is likely. A relay board can also prevent the blower motor from receiving power. You can handle basic airflow checks, but 240V components and any refrigerant or sealed-system repair require a qualified HVAC technician with EPA 608 certification. Enter your model number to find the exact replacement part for your central air conditioner.
01 - Central Air Conditioner Main Control Board
If the central air condensing unit contactor is not receiving 24 volts or power is not getting to the furnace blower motor, a possible cause is a defective furnace main control board. While this is not a common problem, if all other potentially faulty components are working properly, the main control board should be replaced.
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Proper air flow is critical for the central air conditioner to work properly. The evaporator needs proper air flow to keep the condensing water from freezing. If the air filter or blower wheel gets clogged, ice can start forming on the evaporator coils, eventually freezing them up and preventing proper air flow. It is recommended to replace the air filter at least every 6 months or sooner depending on the conditions. Refer to owner's manual for guidance. Avoid covering registers with furniture, rugs, or other items that will restrict the air flow.
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03 - Central Air Conditioner Contactor
The furnace control board sends a low voltage signal to the contactor. When the contactor receives the signal from the control board, it closes the circuit, sending voltage to the condensing unit components. If the contactor is defective, it will not provide voltage to the condensing unit. To determine if the contactor is at fault, use a multimeter to test the contactor for continuity. If the contactor does not have continuity, replace it.
If the dual run capacitor is defective, the fan motor might be noisy, overheat, or not run at all. To determine if the dual run capacitor has failed, inspect the capacitor. If the dual run capacitor is bulging or leaking, replace it.
If the unit has good air flow, the evaporator and condensing unit coils are clean, the fan and compressor are running, and the furnace blower is on, but there is still not enough cooling, it is likely there is a leak or restriction in the sealed system. Since diagnosing and repairing a sealed system takes specialized tools and knowledge, a qualified service technician should diagnosis and repair the unit.
Highly Likely
06 - Central Air Conditioner Relay Board
A relay board is often used to control components of an a central air condidtioner. If the blower motor is not receiving power, the relay board is likely the cause. A defective relay board will need to be replaced.