When it’s sizzling outside, you trust your AC system to keep things cool inside. But is your air conditioning taking a long time to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which strain your AC system harder than usual. However, if it’s not especially hot outside and your air conditioning is still having a hard time, your cooling equipment could have a problem. Follow these tips to help you diagnose the problem.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most likely reason an air conditioning system needs too much time to lower the temperature of the house. The job of a filter is to catch airborne pollutants that might harm delicate HVAC equipment. More efficient filters even trap tiny airborne contaminants to increase indoor air quality.
Eventually, the filter becomes stuffed with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, limiting airflow. Besides making an air conditioner take a long time to cool down the house, this problem can also lead to more expensive energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter each month and change it if it appears dirty. Don't wait longer than three months to change the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re not sure where the air filter is located, check with a local HVAC technician at your next service visit.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat has to be compatible with your cooling to run effectively. Then, you must set it correctly to reach a cozy temperature. Employing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat provides the best results.
Solution: If you want to upgrade your thermostat, want help learning about programmable settings, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat by yourself, call an HVAC technician at Stevenson Service Experts for support.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air using refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to absorb heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is filthy, making it take more time to cool down the house.
Solution: Call our HVAC experts to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this maintenance involves clearing away dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to boost cooling efficiency.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
Your AC system's cooling cycle requires sending hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it expels heat to the exterior. However, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching vegetation, the cooling process might be less successful.
Solution: Gently hose off the outdoor unit to remove dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, cut back bushes to at least 12 inches from the unit to improve circulation.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is vital to air conditioning. Normally, this substance flows in a closed loop among the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak forms and your AC loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.
Solution: Only a trained technician can repair refrigerant leaks and replenish the system. If you suspect this problem, call our HVAC professionals for help right away.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are vital to your HVAC system. A leak from either the return or supply side might make your air conditioner run harder and longer maintain comfortable temperatures.
Solution: If you are dealing with irregular temperatures and excessive dust inside the house, get in touch with Stevenson Service Experts to inspect your air ducts. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Conditioned air can only move around your home if the vents are open and unobstructed. Closing too many vents can even disrupt the system’s balance, contributing to increased breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Take a look at the vents all through the house, ensuring they’re open and unobstructed by furniture, carpeting or curtains.
Aging or Undersized Air Conditioner
Did you put in your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the AC becomes less efficient and can struggle to maintain steady cooling. Furthermore, have you recently finished a home add-on or made other changes? This may leave you with 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 replace it. Count on our trained HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with Stevenson Service Experts
If your troubleshooting efforts prove ineffective, don't hesitate to bring in the HVAC pros at Stevenson Service Experts. We provide fast, reliable support to get your cooling back up and running as quickly as possible. Rest assured that our technicians practice the highest standards of support to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.