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

When it’s sizzling outside, you rely on your air conditioner to keep things balmy inside. But is your air conditioner taking forever to cool down the house? This is typical on sweltering days, which strain your cooling harder than usual. However, if it’s not especially hot outside and your air conditioner is still having a tough time, your HVAC system could have a problem. Use these tips to help you resolve the matter.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most frequent reason an AC system needs too much time to cool the house. The purpose of a filter is to capture airborne particles that can harm your HVAC equipment. More effective filters even catch very small airborne contaminants to enhance indoor air quality.

Eventually, the filter becomes clogged with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, restricting airflow. Besides making an AC unit take a long time to cool down the house, this issue can also result in more expensive energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating.

Solution: Check your air filter every month and exchange it if it looks dirty. Don’t wait over three months to replace the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re not sure where your air filter is located, ask an HVAC technician at your next service appointment.

Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat has to be compatible with your air conditioner to function properly. Then, you need to set it correctly to maintain a comfortable temperature. Employing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.

Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, want help learning about programmable settings, or may not feel comfortable programming a thermostat on your own, contact an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for support.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Split-system air conditioners possess an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air via the refrigerant. It’s challenging for the refrigerant to hold onto heat properly if the evaporator coil is grimy, making it take longer to lower the temperature of your house.

Solution: Call our HVAC specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An element of this call consists of removing dust and grime from the evaporator coil to boost cooling efficiency.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

Your AC system’s cooling cycle requires transporting hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it expels heat into the outdoor air. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching yard waste, the cooling process could be less effective.

Solution: Lightly hose off the outdoor unit to eliminate dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, cut back bushes to at least 12 inches from the unit to improve ventilation.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is vital to air conditioning. Normally, this substance travels in a closed loop among the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak occurs and your cooling loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and releasing heat from your home.

Solution: Only a trained technician can fix refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you believe your AC is struggling with this problem, call our HVAC professionals for help at once.

Leaky Ductwork

Air ducts are vital to your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side could make your air conditioner perform harder and longer to keep your home cool.

Solution: If you notice irregular temperatures and an excessive amount of dust throughout the house, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to take a look at your air ducts. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Cooled air can only move throughout your home if the supply and return vents are open and unobstructed. Closing too many vents can even mess with the system’s balance, contributing to additional breakdowns and repair costs.

Solution: Inspect the vents in every room, seeing to it that they’re open and not blocked by furniture, rugs or drapes.

Old or Inadequately Sized AC System

Did you install your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the system becomes less effective and can fail to maintain comfortable temperatures. Furthermore, have you recently finished a home extension or made other alterations? This can lead to an undersized air conditioner that may be unable to keep up with demand.

Solution: The only solution for an aging or undersized air conditioner is to swap it out. Count 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 specialists at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We provide fast, effective services to get your cooling back up and running right away. You can count on the fact that our technicians stick to the highest standards of support to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to arrange air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.