When it’s scorching 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 common on sweltering days, which strain your cooling harder than average. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your air conditioning is still struggling, your HVAC system may have a problem. Follow these tips to help you troubleshoot the issue.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most common reason an AC system takes too long to cool down the house. The purpose of a filter is to catch airborne pollutants that could cause problems for sensitive HVAC equipment. More effective filters even trap microscopic airborne allergens to increase indoor air quality.
As time passes, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, limiting the flow of air. Besides making the AC unit take more time to cool down the house, this issue can also lead to higher energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter once a month and exchange it if it appears dirty. Try not to wait over three months to exchange the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re not sure where the air filter is located, check with an HVAC technician at your next service visit.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat has to be compatible with your air conditioner to run properly. Then, you have to set it correctly to sustain a comfortable temperature. Implementing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat provides the best results.
Solution: If you want to upgrade your thermostat, want help learning about programmable options, or may not feel comfortable programming a thermostat by yourself, call an HVAC technician at Freschi Service Experts for assistance.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners possess an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, which soaks up heat from the air via the refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to hold onto heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is dirty, making it take more time to lower the temperature of your house.
Solution: Contact our HVAC specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An element of this call consists of removing dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to improve cooling performance.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
The cooling cycle requires sending warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat away from your home. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching plants, the cooling cycle may be less effective.
Solution: Carefully hose down the outdoor unit to eliminate dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, prune back bushes to around 12 inches from the unit to boost airflow.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is an essential tool to air conditioning. Normally, this substance flows in a closed loop back and forth between 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 mend refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you think you're dealing with this problem, call up our HVAC pros for help right away.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are the highways of your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side can make your air conditioner work harder and longer to cool your home.
Solution: If you are dealing with inconsistent temperatures and an excessive amount of dust throughout the house, contact Freschi Service Experts to take a look at your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Cool air can only circulate through your home as long as the air vents are open and clear. Shutting too many vents can even disrupt the system’s balance, leading to more breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Check the vents in each room, ensuring they’re open and unobstructed by furniture, rugs or curtains.
Outdated or Inadequately Sized Air Conditioning System
Did you put in your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it gets older, the AC becomes less efficient and can struggle to maintain a comfortable home. Furthermore, have you recently built a home extension or made other improvements? This may lead to an undersized air conditioner that can’t keep up with demand.
Solution: The only fix for an aging or undersized air conditioner is to exchange it. Depend on our qualified HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with Freschi Service Experts
If your troubleshooting attempts prove ineffective, don't hesitate to contact the HVAC pros at Freschi Service Experts. We provide fast, efficient service to get your cooling back up and running as quickly as possible. You can count on the fact that our technicians adhere to the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.