When it’s hot outside, you count on your air conditioner to keep things comfortable inside. But is your AC taking forever to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which push your AC system harder than average. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your air conditioner is still having a hard time, your air conditioning might have a problem. Follow these tips to help you resolve the issue.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most common reason an air conditioner takes too long to lower the temperature of the house. The purpose of a filter is to capture airborne contaminants that may cause problems for your HVAC equipment. More effective filters even trap tiny airborne particles to improve indoor air quality.
As time passes, the filter becomes stuffed with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing airflow. Besides making your air conditioning system take more time to cool down the house, this situation can also lead to more expensive energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter every month and change it if it looks dirty. Try not to wait more than three months to replace the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re not sure where the air filter is located, ask your HVAC technician at your next service visit.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat needs to be compatible with your cooling to function properly. Then, you must set it correctly to reach a nice temperature. Installing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.
Solution: If you want to upgrade your thermostat, require help learning about programmable options, or don’t feel comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, call an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners possess an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, which takes in heat from the air with the refrigerant. It’s more difficult for the refrigerant to absorb heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is dirty, making it take longer to cool your house.
Solution: Contact our HVAC experts to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this visit involves removing debris and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling efficiency.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
A cooling cycle will require transporting warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat to the exterior. However, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching yard waste, the cooling process could be less effective.
Solution: Carefully hose down the outdoor unit to remove dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, cut back bushes to a minimum of 12 inches from the unit to boost ventilation.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the key to air conditioning. Usually, this substance moves in a closed loop among the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your cooling loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.
Solution: Only a licensed technician can mend refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you think you're dealing with this problem, call up our HVAC pros for help straight away.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are the arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak on either the return or supply side can make your air conditioner perform harder and longer to cool your home.
Solution: If you notice inconsistent temperatures and high amounts of dust throughout the house, get in touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect your ductwork. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Cooled air can only circulate throughout your home when the vents are open and free from any obstructions. Shutting too many vents can even disrupt the system’s balance, contributing to additional breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Take a look at the vents in each room, making sure they’re open and unblocked by furniture, rugs or drapes.
Old or Poorly Sized AC System
Did you install your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the AC becomes less efficient and can be unable to maintain steady cooling. Additionally, have you recently built a home add-on or made other alterations? This can result in an undersized air conditioner that won't always keep up with demand.
Solution: The only solution for an aging or undersized air conditioner is to exchange it. Trust our trained HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
If your troubleshooting attempts prove ineffective, it’s time to call in the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide fast, efficient services to get your AC back up and running right away. You can count on the fact that our technicians practice the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term peace of mind. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or other HVAC services today.