Colorado Springs Home Not Cooling? Here’s What to Check First
Is your air conditioner running—but your home still feels like a sauna?
You’re not alone. Each summer in Colorado Springs, we get dozens of calls from frustrated homeowners asking, “Why isn’t my AC cooling?”
The good news? Sometimes it’s a simple fix you can handle yourself. Other times, it’s the first sign of a larger issue that requires professional attention.
At Townsend Mechanical, we’ve helped hundreds of local homeowners get their cool air flowing again—fast. If your home isn’t cooling like it should, here’s a list of what to check before calling in the pros.
Start with Your Thermostat
It might sound obvious, but thermostats are often the first culprit.
Ask yourself:
- Is it set to “cool”, not just “fan”?
- Is the temperature set lowerthan the current room temp?
- Are the batteries fresh(if applicable)?
- Is it responding properlyto your settings?
What to try: Turn it off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, make sure no schedules are overriding your manual settings.
Check Your Air Filter
A dirty or clogged air filter is one of the most common reasons homes don’t cool properly. It restricts airflow, making your AC work harder and less efficiently.
Look for signs like:
- Weak airflow from vents
- AC running constantly with little cooling
- More dust than usual in the home
What to try: Pull out the filter and hold it up to a light. If you can’t see light through it, it’s time to replace it. Most homeowners should replace filters every 30–90 days—especially during summer months.
Look for Ice or Water Around the Unit
If your indoor AC unit is frozen over, it won’t be able to cool your home effectively.
Symptoms include:
- Warm air coming from vents
- Water pooling under your indoor unit
- Ice visible on refrigerant lines or coils
What to try: Turn the system off immediately and switch the fan to “ON” to circulate air and begin thawing. After a few hours, replace the air filter and turn the system back on. If it freezes again, call us for help.
Inspect the Outdoor Unit (Condenser)
Your outdoor unit is critical to the cooling process. If it’s clogged, damaged, or not running, your home won’t cool effectively.
Check for:
- Debris like leaves, grass, or dirt blocking airflow
- The fan not spinning
- Hissing or buzzing noises
What to try: Clear the area around the unit. Rinse it off gently with a hose (low pressure). If the fan isn’t spinning or the unit is unusually loud, it may need service.
Check Your Breaker Panel
If your AC unit won’t turn on at all, it may have tripped a breaker—especially after a recent storm or power surge.
What to try:
- Go to your main electrical panel
- Look for the breaker labeled “AC” or “Cooling”
- Flip it fully off, then back on
⚠️ If the breaker keeps tripping, do not continue resetting it—this could signal a dangerous electrical issue.
Check Air Vents and Returns
Sometimes poor airflow has nothing to do with your HVAC unit—it’s simply blocked or closed vents.
Walk through your home and:
- Ensure all supply vents are open
- Check for furniture or curtains blocking vents
- Clean off dusty or dirty vent grilles
- Verify that return ventsare unobstructed
Blocked vents can cause uneven cooling, system strain, and poor overall performance.
Is Your AC Properly Sized for Your Home?
If your AC has never cooled your home well—especially during extreme temperatures—it may be undersized or improperly installed.
Signs your unit might be too small:
- Constantly running but never reaches set temp
- Inconsistent temperatures in different rooms
- High utility bills despite poor performance
What to do: Our team can perform a load calculation to determine if your system is the right size for your square footage, insulation, and window exposure.
Know When to Call a Professional
If you’ve checked everything above and your home still won’t cool properly, the issue might be:
- Low refrigerant levels or a leak
- Failing blower motor or capacitor
- Clogged condensate drain
- Electrical problems
- Compressor failure
These issues require specialized tools and licensed expertise to diagnose and repair safely.
Why Colorado Springs Homeowners Trust Townsend Mechanical
For over 15 years, we’ve been helping families throughout Colorado Springs and surrounding communities stay cool, comfortable, and confident in their HVAC systems.
When you choose Townsend Mechanical, you get:
- Fast, honest service with no pressure
- Licensed, experienced HVAC professionals
- Transparent pricing with no surprise charges
- Emergency AC repair when you need it most
- Local service in Colorado Springs, Monument, Peyton, Falcon, and more
“Our house wasn’t cooling and we had no idea why. Townsend Mechanical came out same-day, diagnosed the issue, and had our AC working within an hour. Truly great people to work with.”
— Laura B., Colorado Springs
Still Not Cooling? Call the Pros.
If your Colorado Springs home isn’t cooling and you’re ready for help, we’ve got you covered.
Call (719) 659 4648 or schedule your service online today.
We’ll get you back to cool, comfortable living—with zero stress and no upselling.
Final Thoughts
A cooling problem doesn’t always mean disaster. By running through this checklist, you may solve the issue yourself—or at least narrow it down.
And when it’s time to call in the experts, trust Townsend Mechanical to restore your comfort quickly and professionally.
