A/C is running slightly cool, but not as cool as it usually runs

My A/C in my apartment started blowing less cool air last night. I have it set at 64 and it is currently 68 in the house. I can tell it's blowing slightly cool air from the vents, but nowhere near at cold as it usually blows. Also, it's constantly running; the blower isn't shutting off at all. I have a landlord/manager. However, she's an awful person, and completely terrible to deal with. I try to avoid her as much as possible. Wanted to check to see if this is something I can fix on my own, or if I need to call her. Also, if they call someone out, will the person need to come inside? I don't trust her inside my apartment, and I really don't trust the drunk Kris Kringle-looking character she hired for maintenance for the building to be inside my apartment.

Thanks!

Some specifics:

- This is central A/C.
- It appears to be a two-part unit. There is a portion in the apartment in a utility closet and a portion outside.
- The fan is on Auto and the A/C is turned On.
- I looked at the fuse box, and the condensing unit switches are flipped to "On."
- A fuse did blow in my apartment a few weeks ago, but only to the bedroom. Nothing else was affected and the A/C was still running properly.

 

When was the filter last changed? Normally you will get some reduced airflow if the filter is dirty.

You can check the outside unit for grass, leaves, etc on the coils as well as looking for any oily residue on the insulated lines leading to it. One line should be very warm (cup of hot coffee) and the other should feel cold (a nice cold beer). These are laymans measurements.

Beyond that...you will need a good thermometer like this http://static.katomcdn.com/products/...3517_large.jpg.

 

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Thanks. I've lived here 8 months. I haven't changed the filter, and I don't even know how I would do that. I'm not seeing anywhere within my reach where I could access it.

I just walked outside. The outside unit is not running. The fan blades are not moving, and it's not making any noise. However, something is still on inside blowing air. Any ideas?

 

If the thermostat is calling for cooling and the indoor blower is running but the outside unit isn't running, you need to check to see if the contactor is engaged. The contactor is a relay located inside the outdoor unit. 220VAC is on one side of the contactor, and when the thermostat calls for cooling, it sends 24VAC (control voltage) to the contactor. The 24VAC energizes the contactor (relay) which closes the contacts, sending the 220VAC to the compressor and condenser fan.

Since nothing is running outside, with the thermostat calling for cooling, check to see if you have 24VAC coming into the outside unit. It should come in on relatively small diameter wires that are likely near the copper pipes running to the house. If you have the 24VAC control voltage coming into the outside unit, check to see if you have it at the contactor. If you have the control voltage coming into the outside unit but isn't present at the contactor, you may have a bad time delay relay (optional) or the low pressure switch is open because it's either defective or you're low on refrigerant.