A Maryland Homeowners’ Guide to Why Your AC Unit Isn’t Cooling Properly
Maryland summers can be brutal. The last thing you need on a hot day is for your home air conditioner to stop working—or worse, not cooling properly or start blowing warm air. If you’ve walked into your home expecting cool relief and instead felt a wave of heat, you’re definitely not alone.
Fixed Right & Guaranteed gets a lot of calls like this in the summer. We’ll help you understand why this happens and what you can do about it (before you melt) so you may not have to call a local AC contractor to fix this issue.
Is Your AC Blowing Warm Air?
If your AC is running but the air coming out of the vents feels warm—or just not as cool as it should be—there’s usually a fixable reason behind it.
Here are some common culprits:
1. Your Thermostat Might Be the Issue (Seriously)
We know, it sounds basic. But you’d be surprised how often the thermostat setting is the root of the problem. Maybe it got switched to “heat” by accident. Or maybe someone bumped the temperature up. Double-check:
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Is it set to “cool”?
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Is the fan set to “auto” instead of “on”? (The “on” setting runs the fan even when the system isn’t actively cooling.)
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Is the temperature set lower than the current room temp?
Still no cold air? Keep reading.
2. Clogged Air Filters Can Choke Your System
Air filters that are full of dust and debris can block airflow and cause the AC system to overheat or freeze up. If it’s been more than 1–2 months since you last changed the filter, it’s worth taking a look.
👉 Pro tip: Set a reminder on your phone to check or replace your filter once a month during the summer.
3. Low Refrigerant = No Cool Air
Your AC needs refrigerant to pull heat out of your home and cool the air. If there’s a leak or the levels are low, your system can’t do its job properly.
Signs of low refrigerant include:
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Warm or slightly cool air from the vents
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Ice on the outdoor unit or refrigerant lines
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A hissing or bubbling noise near the AC
⚠️ If you suspect this is the problem, call the pros at Fixed Right & Guaranteed. Refrigerant issues aren’t a DIY fix.
4. Dirty Condenser Coils Outside
That outdoor unit of yours? It needs to breathe. If it’s covered in dirt, grass clippings, or leaves, it can’t release heat effectively—which means your system can’t cool properly.
✅ You can rinse off the outside unit with a hose (just turn off the power first). If it’s really dirty, you might need a professional cleaning.
5. Electrical or Capacitor Problems
Sometimes the issue isn’t with the cooling parts—it’s with the power getting to them. A faulty capacitor, broken contactor, or tripped breaker can stop your AC from cooling without shutting down the entire system.
If your indoor fan is running but the outdoor unit isn’t, this could be your issue.
6. Leaky Ductwork
In older homes, or even newer ones with poorly sealed ductwork, cool air can escape before it reaches your living space. That’s like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in the bottom.
You might notice:
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Inconsistent cooling from room to room
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Higher-than-normal energy bills
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Weak airflow
7. Your AC Might Just Be Old
If your system is 10–15 years old and it’s not cooling like it used to, it could be on its way out. Older units lose efficiency over time, and parts can wear out. Sometimes, the best fix is a full replacement—especially if you’re facing costly repairs.
A Broken Air Conditioner in the Summer is No Joke
When your AC is blowing warm air in the middle of a Maryland heatwave, it’s more than uncomfortable—it’s stressful. But most of the time, there’s a reason, and it can be fixed.
A few quick things you can do on your own:
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Check the thermostat settings
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Swap out the air filter
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Take a peek at the outdoor unit
If you’ve done all that and it’s still not cooling, it’s time to call in the pros at Fixed Right & Guarantted.
Need Fast AC Help In and Around Owings, MD?
We know how urgent it feels when your AC isn’t working. Our local HVAC team is here to help, whether it’s a quick repair, a refrigerant refill, or a whole new unit. We’re based right here in Owings, MD, so we know exactly what your system’s up against during the summer months.
We’re Home of The No Breakdown Guarantee!
Don’t sweat it—literally. Give us a call at 410-414-3278 and get cool air flowing again in Southern Maryland or contact us online with any questions.
