When it’s hot outside, you rely on your AC system to keep things balmy inside. But is your AC taking forever to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which strain your AC system harder than usual. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your air conditioning is still struggling, your cooling equipment may have a problem. Use these tips to help you troubleshoot the problem.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most likely reason an air conditioner takes too long to cool down the house. The purpose of a filter is to catch airborne contaminants that could harm delicate HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even capture microscopic airborne particles to improve indoor air quality.
As time passes, the filter becomes clogged with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, limiting the flow of air. Besides making an AC unit take a long time to cool down the house, this problem can also result in larger energy bills, additional wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter every month and exchange it if it appears dirty. Don't wait over three months to exchange the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re unsure where your air filter can be found, talk to your HVAC technician at your next service visit.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat must be compatible with your AC system to function effectively. Then, you must set it correctly to maintain a nice temperature. Implementing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.
Solution: If you want to update your thermostat, want help learning about programmable features, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, get in touch with an HVAC technician at A-PLUS Service Experts for assistance.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners come with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air via the refrigerant. It’s challenging for the refrigerant to hold onto heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is dirty, making it take more time to cool down the house.
Solution: Call our HVAC specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An element of this maintenance includes clearing away dust and grime from the evaporator coil to improve cooling efficiency.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
The cooling cycle will require sending heated refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat into the outdoor air. That said, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching vegetation, the cooling process might be less effective.
Solution: Lightly hose off the outdoor unit to get rid of dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, cut back bushes to at least 12 inches from the unit to enhance airflow.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the key to effective cooling. Normally, this substance travels in a closed loop among the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your AC loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of absorbing and releasing heat from your home.
Solution: Only a licensed technician can fix refrigerant leaks and refresh the system. If you believe your AC is struggling with this problem, get in touch with our HVAC pros for help straight away.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are vital to your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side might make your air conditioner work harder and longer to cool your home.
Solution: If you experience irregular temperatures and excessive dust throughout the house, get ahold of A-PLUS Service Experts to inspect your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can resolve the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Cooled air can only move around your home if the air vents are open and clear. Shutting too many vents can even mess with the system’s balance, contributing to increased breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Take a look at the vents in each room, ensuring they’re open and unblocked by furniture, rugs or drapes.
Aging or Poorly Sized Air Conditioning System
Did you put in your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it gets older, the AC becomes less effective and could be unable to maintain a comfortable home. Furthermore, have you recently built a home addition or made other improvements? This could leave you with an undersized air conditioner that won't always keep up with demand.
Solution: The only option for an old or undersized air conditioner is to replace it. Count on our licensed HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with A-PLUS Service Experts
If your troubleshooting efforts prove ineffective, don't hesitate to call in the HVAC specialists at A-PLUS Service Experts. We supply fast, reliable support to get your cooling back up and running right away. Rest assured that our technicians practice the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or other HVAC services today.