What Kind of Contractor Do I Need When the AC Is Not Cooling?
When the air conditioning runs but the house will not cool, it is usually HVAC — a refrigerant, airflow, or compressor issue — but a surprising number of "AC not cooling" calls turn out to be electrical, or even a simple thermostat or filter. Starting with the cheap, common causes before assuming the worst saves money.
Safety first
Before calling anyone, it is safe to check the simple things: a tripped breaker, the thermostat setting, and a dirty air filter (a clogged filter is a very common cause and an easy DIY swap). Leave refrigerant and internal repairs to an HVAC pro.
The 2 trades this job usually needs
A single problem often spans several trades. Here is who does what, and why.
Diagnose and repair the cooling system — low refrigerant, a frozen coil, a failing compressor, a dirty coil, or airflow problems.
Cooling-system faults are HVAC’s core scope.
Check the circuit, disconnect, and connections if the unit is not getting power or keeps tripping.
An AC that will not start at all is sometimes an electrical supply issue, not the unit itself.
Not sure this matches your situation?
Describe what is happening in your own words and get a trade-by-trade breakdown for your exact problem — free, no account required. You can then reach out to any qualified pro.
Describe my problem →Common questions
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
Common causes are a clogged air filter, low refrigerant, a frozen evaporator coil, a dirty outdoor coil, or a failing compressor. Some are cheap fixes; others are major. An HVAC tech can tell which, but checking the filter and thermostat first is free.
Should I check anything myself before calling?
Yes — confirm the thermostat is set to cool and below room temperature, check that the breaker for the AC has not tripped, and replace a dirty air filter. A clogged filter alone can stop an AC from cooling.
Is low refrigerant a simple fix?
Refrigerant does not get "used up" — if it is low, there is usually a leak. A tech needs to find and fix the leak, then recharge it. Just adding refrigerant without fixing the leak is a temporary patch.
Why is my AC freezing up?
A frozen coil usually comes from restricted airflow (a dirty filter or coil) or low refrigerant. Running a frozen unit can damage the compressor, so it is worth diagnosing rather than pushing through.