When it’s sizzling outside, you count on your AC system to keep things comfortable inside. But is your air conditioning taking a long time to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which push your AC system harder than usual. However, if it’s not especially hot outside and your AC is still having a tough time, your air conditioning could have a problem. Use these tips to help you diagnose the issue.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most common reason an AC system needs too much time to lower the temperature of the house. The function of a filter is to catch airborne particles that might damage sensitive HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even trap microscopic airborne particles to improve indoor air quality.
As time passes, the filter becomes stuffed with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, restricting the flow of air. Besides making your air conditioner take a long time to cool down the house, this problem can also result in larger energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter once a month and change it if it seems dirty. Don't wait over three months to replace the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re unsure where the air filter can be found, check with your HVAC technician at your next service visit.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat needs to be compatible with your air conditioner to run properly. Then, you must set it correctly to sustain a comfortable temperature. Installing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.
Solution: If you want to update your thermostat, want help learning about programmable settings, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat by yourself, contact an HVAC technician at Comfortech Service Experts for assistance.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners possess an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes the evaporator coil, which soaks up heat from the air via the refrigerant. It’s challenging for the refrigerant to soak up heat effectively if the evaporator coil is dirty, making it take longer to cool your house.
Solution: Call our HVAC specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this visit includes cleaning out debris and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling performance.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
A cooling cycle involves moving warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat into the outdoor air. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching yard waste, the cooling process could be less effective.
Solution: Gently hose off the outdoor unit to eliminate dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, trim back bushes to a minimum of 12 inches from the unit to boost circulation.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the key to air conditioning. Normally, this substance moves in a closed loop back and forth between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak occurs and your air conditioner loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of 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 experts for help at once.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are the highways of your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side could make your air conditioner run harder and longer maintain comfortable temperatures.
Solution: If you experience uneven temperatures and excessive dust inside the house, contact Comfortech Service Experts to take a look at your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can resolve the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Cool air can only circulate around your home if the supply and return vents are open and clear. Shutting too many vents can even mess with the system’s balance, contributing to more breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Check the vents all through the house, seeing to it that they’re open and not blocked by furniture, carpets or curtains.
Aging or Inadequately Sized Air Conditioner
Did you set up your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the unit becomes less efficient and could fail to maintain a comfortable home. Likewise, have you recently finished a home extension or made other improvements? This might lead to an undersized air conditioner that won't always keep up with demand.
Solution: The only fix for an outdated or undersized air conditioner is to swap it out. Trust our certified HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with Comfortech Service Experts
If your troubleshooting attempts prove ineffective, don't hesitate to contact the HVAC experts at Comfortech Service Experts . We provide fast, reliable support to get your HVAC system back up and running right away. Rest assured that our technicians adhere to the highest standards of support to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or any other HVAC services today.