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Tag: Thermostat settings

Why Is Your AC Unit Fan Not Spinning?

When you turn down your thermostat, you expect your air conditioner to kick on and immediately provide that cool relief you need during Tucson’s intense summer heat. When you hear it cycle on but the fan doesn’t spin, you’re left with a hot house and high energy bills. If you’re asking, “Why is my AC unit fan not spinning?” you’ve come to the right place.

At Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling, we offer expert AC repair services for every common unit malfunction in Tucson. Below, we explain the common reasons why your system’s fan won’t turn on and what you can do to troubleshoot this frustrating issue.

Common Reasons Why Your AC Fan Isn’t Spinning

Most standard central air conditioners have two fans: one that operates inside to blow cool air into your home and one in the outdoor unit that removes hot air from the system. If either fan malfunctions, the system will not be able to cool your home effectively.

Air conditioners contain a complex system of capacitors and motors that spin these fans. When a fan malfunctions, it’s likely due to an issue with one of these components or a power concern. Here are the most common culprits:

Power or Electrical Issues

Air conditioners often overheat during our intense, brutal summers. This can cause your circuit breaker to trip, shutting down power to the system’s motors and stopping the fans from spinning. We recommend resetting your breaker to see if that restores your cooling.

You may also need to check your thermostat settings. Occasionally, the fan may not spin if you’ve set your thermostat incorrectly. It should be set to “ON” or “AUTO” and below the current room temperature.

Capacitor Failure

If you’re still asking, “Why is my AC unit fan not spinning?” after trying the above troubleshooting steps, you’re likely dealing with a blown capacitor. The capacitor powers the fan’s motor and the entire air conditioner. It can fail over time, requiring a professional replacement from a licensed technician.

A Contactor Switch Malfunction

The contactor switch controls the flow of electricity to the air conditioner, directly sending voltage to the fan’s motor when the unit cycles on. If this switch breaks down, the fan will not receive power from the capacitor, and it will not spin. Contactor malfunctions require expert repairs or replacements.

Fan Motor Burnout

Fan motors themselves can occasionally burn out from excessive use, which is common here in Arizona. Routine maintenance prevents the motor’s bearings from breaking down. If the motor burns out, it must be replaced entirely.

Dirty Filters

Many air conditioner problems arise from clogged filters. Dirty filters restrict airflow to the unit, causing ice to build up on refrigerant lines. This strains the unit’s fans and motors, which may cause them to break down.

Restore Your Home’s Cool Airflow by Calling Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling Today!

Whether you’re wondering why your AC unit fan isn’t spinning or dealing with an unusually loud AC, we can help. Schedule expert air conditioner repairs today by calling Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling at (520) 207-0334.

5 Reasons Why Your AC Is Blowing Warm Air

If your AC struggles to keep your house cool, check the air blowing from the vents. A malfunction may have affected the unit’s cooling ability, causing it to blow warm air and preventing it from effectively cooling your space.

Your next question may be: “Why is my AC blowing warm air?” Several issues can lead to this effect. Explore a few potential reasons, then contact Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling for an inspection and AC repair.

1. Low Refrigerant in the Unit

Your HVAC system uses refrigerant to cool the air entering the system. When your system has low refrigerant, it may not be able to cool the air effectively, leading to warm air blowing from the vents. You might also notice other symptoms of low refrigerant:

  • Hissing or bubbling noises when the AC is running
  • Water pooling around the air handler
  • Ice building on the evaporator coil

The most common cause of low refrigerant is a leak. A professional will need to assess the problem and recharge the system.

2. Dirty or Clogged Air Filters

A dirty air filter can also impact your unit’s ability to disperse cool air throughout your home. Air must pass through the filter before it reaches the air ducts. When the filter is overly dirty or clogged, the system must work harder, impeding its cooling ability.

The fix for this issue is simple: replace the air filter. Then set a reminder to change the filters every one to three months, depending on usage.

3. Frozen Evaporator Coils

Low refrigerant and dirty air filters can both lead to another problem that causes your AC to blow warm air: frozen evaporator coils. These coils absorb heat from the air and use refrigerant to cool it before recirculating it throughout your home. They may freeze when they receive poor airflow or when the refrigerant pressure drops too low, such as what happens during a leak.

An HVAC professional will inspect your evaporator coils and the system as a whole, then mitigate the issue that caused them to freeze.

4. Incorrect Thermostat Setting

Sometimes, air conditioner problems arise due to incorrect thermostat settings. Check your thermostat to ensure that you have the “cool” setting on, rather than “warm” or “fan.” This prompts the AC to turn on rather than the HVAC system simply circulating room-temperature or warm air throughout your home.

Also, ensure that you have the temperature set to your preferences.

5. Tripped Breaker or Loss of Power

Another common cause of an AC blowing warm air is a loss of power to the unit. Check that any switches near the HVAC unit are on and that the breaker switch powering the outdoor unit has not tripped. These electrical issues could lead your HVAC system to circulate air without actually engaging the AC unit.

When in Doubt, Call Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling

If you’re asking, “Why is my AC blowing warm air?” our professionals can give you a specific answer. Call Eazy Breezy Heating & Cooling at 520-207-0334 to request a repair or schedule summer HVAC maintenance to prevent future malfunctions.