When it’s sizzling outside, you count on your cooling to keep things comfortable inside. But is your AC taking too long to cool down the house? This is typical on sweltering days, which strain your air conditioner harder than normal. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your cooling is still having a hard time, your air conditioning may have a problem. Follow these tips to help you troubleshoot the matter.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most frequent reason an air conditioner takes too long to cool the house. The job of a filter is to capture airborne contaminants that can harm sensitive HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even trap tiny airborne particles to enhance indoor air quality.
As time passes, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, restricting airflow. Besides making the air conditioner take longer to cool down the house, this problem can also produce larger energy bills, additional wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter every month and replace it if it looks dirty. Try not to wait longer than three months to replace the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re not sure where your air filter is located, ask a local HVAC technician at your next service visit.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat must be compatible with your AC system to function properly. Then, you have to set it correctly to reach a cozy temperature. Using a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat produces the best results.
Solution: If you want to upgrade your thermostat, want help learning about programmable settings, or may not feel comfortable programming a thermostat by yourself, call an HVAC technician at Eveready Service Experts 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 using refrigerant. It’s more difficult for the refrigerant to absorb heat effectively if the evaporator coil is grimy, making it take more time to cool down the house.
Solution: Get in touch with our HVAC specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. Part of this maintenance includes removing dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling efficiency.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
A cooling cycle requires moving hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it expels heat away from your home. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or surrounded by encroaching vegetation, the cooling cycle can be less successful.
Solution: Gently clean the outdoor unit to get rid of dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, trim back bushes to around 12 inches from the unit to increase circulation.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the key to a cool home. Typically, this substance moves in a closed loop among the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak forms and your air conditioner loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and releasing heat from your home.
Solution: Only a trained technician can correct refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you suspect this problem, call up our HVAC pros for help right away.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are the arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak on either the return or supply side can make your air conditioner work harder and longer maintain comfortable temperatures.
Solution: If you notice irregular temperatures and an excessive amount of dust throughout the house, call Eveready Service Experts to examine your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can fix the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Cool air can only circulate around your home when the supply and return vents are open and clear. Shutting too many vents can even disrupt the system’s balance, contributing to more breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Take a look at the vents in each room, seeing to it that they’re open and not blocked by furniture, rugs or window treatments.
Old or Poorly Sized AC System
Did you install your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the AC becomes less efficient and could struggle to maintain steady cooling. Additionally, have you recently built a home extension or made other improvements? This might lead to an undersized air conditioner that will struggle to keep up with demand.
Solution: The only solution for an old or undersized air conditioner is to exchange it. Trust our certified HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with Eveready Service Experts
If your troubleshooting attempts prove ineffective, feel free to call in the HVAC pros at Eveready Service Experts . We supply fast, efficient support to get your HVAC system back up and running as quickly as possible. Rest assured that our technicians follow the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to arrange air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.