AC Not Cooling in Columbia, SC
The system runs, but the house never gets cold. This is the single most common HVAC call in a Columbia summer.
What usually causes this
- Low refrigerant, usually from a slow leak rather than a one-time loss
- A dirty air filter or coil starving the system of airflow
- A failing compressor, especially on an older system
- An iced evaporator coil - see our frozen-line page if you can see ice
What to do before someone arrives
- Check and replace the air filter if it hasn't been changed in the last month or two
- Make sure the outdoor unit isn't blocked by leaves, mulch or a fence panel
- If you can see ice anywhere on the system, switch to fan-only and let it thaw before anyone works on it
Questions people ask
Why is my AC running constantly but the house still isn't cool?
In Columbia's summer humidity, a system that's undersized, low on refrigerant, or fighting a dirty coil will run continuously without ever catching up. It's rarely just "the heat" - a healthy system should still hit setpoint on a 95-degree day.
Is it worth calling someone if the air is just a little less cold than usual?
Yes. A slight drop in cooling is often the earliest sign of a refrigerant leak, and catching it early is a cheaper repair than waiting until the system stops cooling altogether.
Send us the details
We pass them straight to a licensed local HVAC contractor who handles ac repair. There is no cost to you.
Also see: AC Repair in Columbia, SC
Tell us what your system is doing
Send us the details and we will pass them to a licensed local HVAC contractor.