Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Working?

There are several reasons why your air conditioner may not be working properly. It’s important that you’re aware of some common air conditioner problems and how to fix them. 7E Integrated Services is dedicated to ensuring that you’re equipped to handle any air conditioner malfunction. Let’s take a look at some reasons why you may be asking, ‘why is my air conditioner not working?’

Blowing cold air

We recommend double-checking your thermostat before getting concerned. Make sure that your system is set to ‘auto’ rather than ‘on.’ This prevents your air conditioner from continually running and producing cold as well as hot cycles. Alternatively, your thermostat could be running low on power – meaning that it doesn’t detect any temperature input changes you make.

If your air conditioner is on the thermal setting and is still blowing cold air, then it could simply mean that your system needs time to warm up. This is especially the case if you’ve only recently heightened the temperature.



If the problem persists after some time, it’s likely that you have a more serious problem – such as a frozen heat pump or a malfunctioning flame sensor. In these instances, it’s best to call the professionals.

Blowing hot air

There are numerous reasons why your air conditioner may be spouting hot air when on a cold setting. First, be sure to check your outdoor unit. This unit is responsible for cooling air down before it enters your home and, if it doesn’t have power or is malfunctioning, it fails to do so.

Sometimes, your air conditioner fails to cool air when one component of the system is malfunctioning or requires servicing. For instance, your refrigerant levels may be low which indicates a leak somewhere in the system. Additionally, your evaporator coils may be dirty which undermines your air conditioner’s functionality. A malfunctioning system will require a repair or maintenance service.

An air conditioner that blows hot air also signals that you could be experiencing an electrical problem. For example, your fuse panel or circuit panel could be failing to provide power to the outdoor unit. If this is the case, call a professional straight away.

Turning on or off

An air conditioner that constantly turns on or off is most likely short cycling. This means that the cooling cycle terminates swiftly before turning on again and repeating the premature cycle. Short cycling occurs when components of your air conditioner are broken, dirty, or failing due to electrical or mechanical faults.

Some reasons for a short cycling air conditioner include:

• Your thermostat is failing to sense the correct temperature and is communicating misinformation to the system.
• Your air conditioner is too large for your home which means it cools your home too quickly and shuts off more frequently.
• The compressor is overheating or malfunctioning and keeps shutting off the system frequently to cool down between cycles.

The most common reason why air conditioners turn on or off is due to clogged air filters. This restricts airflow from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, which can cause short cycling.

Can I fix any of these problems myself?

There are some problems that can easily be fixed, or prevented, without professional assistance. For example, making sure to frequently change your air filters or check your thermostat batteries are examples of preventative maintenance that allow your air conditioner to perform optimally. However, we highly recommend hiring our professionals at 7E Integrated Services when it comes to a malfunctioning air conditioner. That’s because we can identify the problem straight away and ensure no other damage occurs.

How often should my air conditioner be serviced?

It’s important that you get your air conditioner serviced regularly to prevent problems from escalating. For example, if one component of your air conditioner is malfunctioning, it won’t be long before other parts overcompensate to allow your system to function and shut down altogether.

We recommend getting your air conditioner serviced twice annually – once in autumn and once in spring – or every six months. However, commercial air conditioners usually need servicing only once a year.

For air conditioner repairs or maintenance services, please call 7E Integrated Services on 0421 517 243. We service Maitland and surrounding areas.