Why Does the AC Take So Long to Cool Down the House?

When it’s sizzling outside, you count on your AC system to keep things balmy inside. But is your air conditioning taking too long to cool down the house? This is familiar on sweltering days, which strain your cooling harder than usual. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your air conditioner is still having a hard time, your HVAC system may have a problem. Try these tips to help you diagnose the matter.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most common reason an air conditioning system takes too long to cool down the house. The purpose of a filter is to catch airborne contaminants that might damage your HVAC equipment. More effective filters even catch microscopic airborne particles to enhance indoor air quality.

As time passes, the filter becomes clogged with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing airflow. Besides making an AC unit take a long time to cool down the house, this issue can also produce more expensive energy bills, additional wear and tear, and overheating.

Solution: Check your air filter each month and replace it if it seems dirty. Don’t wait more than three months to exchange 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 appointment.

Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat must be compatible with your air conditioner to work correctly. Then, you need to set it correctly to maintain a comfortable temperature. Implementing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat provides the best results.

Solution: If you want to upgrade your thermostat, require help learning about programmable settings, or don’t feel comfortable programming a thermostat on your own, get in touch with an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for support.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Split-system air conditioners have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air with the refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to soak up heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is filthy, making it take longer to cool your house.

Solution: Call our HVAC experts to clean and tune up your air conditioner. Part of this visit consists of cleaning out dust and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling performance.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

A cooling cycle requires transporting warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat away from your home. However, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching yard waste, the cooling cycle might be less efficient.

Solution: Gently hose down the outdoor unit to eliminate dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, cut back bushes to a minimum of 12 inches from the unit to improve ventilation.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is vital to a cool home. Usually, this substance flows in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak occurs and your cooling loses refrigerant, it becomes more difficult to handle the cycle of absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.

Solution: Only a trained technician can mend refrigerant leaks and replenish the system. If you believe your AC is struggling with this problem, get in touch with our HVAC professionals for help in no time.

Leaky Ductwork

Air ducts are the arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side might make your air conditioner perform harder and longer to cool your home.

Solution: If you notice uneven temperatures and an excessive amount of dust throughout the house, call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect your air ducts. Duct sealing or replacement can fix the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Conditioned air can only flow around your home as long as the air vents are open and clear. Closing too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, resulting in more breakdowns and repair costs.

Solution: Inspect the vents in every room, ensuring they’re open and unblocked by furniture, rugs or window treatments.

Aging or Poorly Sized Air Conditioner

Did you put in your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As time passes, the system becomes less efficient and can struggle to maintain steady cooling. Additionally, have you recently finished a home add-on or made other alterations? This might lead to an undersized air conditioner that can’t keep up with demand.

Solution: The only option for an outdated or undersized air conditioner is to replace it. Depend on our qualified HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.

Schedule AC Repair with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

If your troubleshooting attempts prove ineffective, don’t hesitate to contact the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We provide fast, effective services to get your cooling back up and running as quickly as possible. Rest assured that our technicians practice the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term peace of mind. Contact us to arrange air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.