When it’s hot outside, you rely on your AC system to keep things cool inside. But is your air conditioning taking too long to cool down the house? This is typical on sweltering days, which strain your air conditioner harder than average. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your air conditioning is still having a hard time, your air conditioner could have a problem. Try these tips to help you resolve the issue.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most common reason an AC system needs more time to cool down the house. The job of a filter is to capture airborne debris that can damage delicate HVAC equipment. More efficient filters even trap very small airborne allergens to improve indoor air quality.
Eventually, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, restricting airflow. Besides making the AC unit take longer to cool down the house, this situation can also produce larger energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter once a month and change it if it looks dirty. Try not to wait more than three months to exchange the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re unsure where your air filter can be found, check with your HVAC technician at your next service appointment.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat must be compatible with your air conditioner to function effectively. Then, you must set it correctly to maintain a cozy temperature. Employing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat provides the best results.
Solution: If you want to upgrade your thermostat, want help learning about programmable features, or don’t feel comfortable programming a thermostat on your own, get in touch with an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners come with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, which absorbs heat from the air using refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to absorb heat effectively if the evaporator coil is dirty, making it take more time to lower the temperature of your house.
Solution: Contact our HVAC specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An element of this maintenance involves clearing away dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to boost cooling performance.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
A cooling cycle will require moving warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat into the outdoor air. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or surrounded by encroaching plants, the cooling cycle could be less effective.
Solution: Gently hose off the outdoor unit to remove dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, cut back bushes to at least 12 inches from the unit to enhance circulation.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the secret to effective cooling. Normally, this substance flows in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak forms and your AC loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.
Solution: Only a qualified technician can correct refrigerant leaks and replenish the system. If you suspect this problem, call up our HVAC experts for help straight away.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are the highways of your HVAC system. A leak from either the return or supply side might make your air conditioner run harder and longer to cool your home.
Solution: If you experience uneven temperatures and excessive dust around the house, get in touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to examine your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Conditioned air can only circulate through your home if the vents are open and unobstructed. Shutting too many vents can even disrupt the system’s balance, resulting in additional breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Take a look at the vents in each room, ensuring they’re open and not blocked by furniture, rugs or window treatments.
Outdated or Inadequately Sized Air Conditioner
Did you install your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the unit becomes less efficient and can fail to maintain comfortable temperatures. Furthermore, have you recently built a home addition or made other modifications? This can lead to an undersized air conditioner that can’t keep up with demand.
Solution: The only option for an old or undersized air conditioner is to replace it. Depend on our certified 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, feel free to bring in the HVAC experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We supply fast, effective services to get your AC back up and running right away. Rest assured that our technicians practice the highest standards of support to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to arrange air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.