When it’s sizzling outside, you depend on your AC system to keep things comfortable 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 normal. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your air conditioning is still struggling, your air conditioner might have a problem. Try these tips to help you troubleshoot the issue.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most common reason an air conditioner needs too much time to cool the house. The purpose of a filter is to catch airborne contaminants that could cause problems for your HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even capture tiny airborne particles to improve indoor air quality.
Eventually, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, restricting the flow of air. Besides making an air conditioning system take a long time to cool down the house, this situation can also lead to higher energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter every month and replace it if it looks dirty. Don't wait longer than three months to change the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re not sure where an air filter is located, ask your HVAC technician at your next service visit.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat has to be compatible with your air conditioner to run effectively. Then, you have to set it correctly to sustain a nice temperature. Installing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat produces the best results.
Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, need help learning about programmable options, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, contact an HVAC technician at McKinley Heating Service Experts for support.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners need an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air via the refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to absorb heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is dirty, making it take more time to cool down the house.
Solution: Call 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 enhance cooling efficiency.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
Your AC system's cooling cycle involves transporting heated refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat to the exterior. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching yard waste, the cooling process could be less efficient.
Solution: Lightly clean 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 boost ventilation.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the secret to a cool home. Normally, this substance flows in a closed loop back and forth between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your cooling loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and releasing heat from your home.
Solution: Only a licensed technician can correct 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 in either the return or supply side can make your air conditioner run harder and longer to keep your home cool.
Solution: If you experience inconsistent temperatures and excessive dust inside the house, get in touch with McKinley Heating Service Experts to examine your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can resolve the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Cooled air can only circulate throughout your home if the supply and return vents are open and unobstructed. Shutting too many vents can even mess with the system’s balance, resulting in additional breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Inspect the vents in every room, making sure they’re open and not blocked by furniture, carpeting or window treatments.
Old or Undersized Air Conditioning System
Did you put in your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the unit becomes less effective and could be unable to maintain steady cooling. Likewise, have you recently built a home addition or made other changes? This may result in an undersized air conditioner that will struggle to keep up with demand.
Solution: The only option for an old or undersized air conditioner is to replace it. Depend on our licensed HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with McKinley Heating Service Experts
If your troubleshooting still proves ineffective, it’s time to call in the HVAC experts at McKinley Heating Service Experts. We deliver fast, reliable services to get your HVAC system back up and running as soon as possible. You can rest easy knowing our technicians follow the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term comfort. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or any other HVAC services today.