Why Does the AC Take So Long to Cool Down the House?
When it’s hot outside, you count on your AC system to keep things comfortable inside. But is your air conditioner taking a long time to cool down the house? This is typical on sweltering days, which push your air conditioner harder than average. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your air conditioner is still struggling, your air conditioner might have a problem. Follow these tips to help you resolve the issue.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most likely reason an air conditioner needs too much time to cool down the house. The purpose of a filter is to catch airborne contaminants that can damage sensitive HVAC equipment. More effective filters even catch tiny airborne particles to improve indoor air quality.
As time passes, the filter becomes clogged with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing circulation. Besides making the air conditioner take longer to cool down the house, this issue can also result in larger energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter each month and change it if it looks dirty. Try not to wait longer than three months to change the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re uncertain where an air filter can be found, check with a local HVAC technician at your next service appointment.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat must be compatible with your cooling to function correctly. Then, you have to set it correctly to sustain a comfortable temperature. Employing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat produces the best results.
Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, require help learning about programmable settings, or don’t feel comfortable programming a thermostat on your own, contact an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for help.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes the evaporator coil, which takes in heat from the air using refrigerant. It’s more difficult for the refrigerant to soak up heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is filthy, making it take more time to lower the temperature of your house.
Solution: Get in touch with our HVAC experts to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this call includes removing debris and grime from the evaporator coil to improve cooling efficiency.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
A cooling cycle will require moving hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat into the outdoor air. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching plants, the cooling cycle may be less successful.
Solution: Lightly 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 enhance airflow.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the key to a cool home. Usually, this substance flows in a closed loop among the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your air conditioner loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.
Solution: Only a licensed technician can mend refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you think you’re dealing with this problem, call up our HVAC specialists for help straight away.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are the arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak on either the return or supply side might make your air conditioner run harder and longer to keep your home cool.
Solution: If you experience uneven temperatures and high amounts of dust around the house, call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to examine your air ducts. Duct sealing or replacement can fix the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Cool air can only move throughout your home as long as the air vents are open and unobstructed. Closing too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, leading to more breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Inspect the vents in each room, ensuring they’re open and not blocked by furniture, carpets or curtains.
Old or Inadequately Sized Air Conditioning System
Did you put in your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As time passes, the system becomes less efficient and could fail to maintain comfortable temperatures. Additionally, have you recently finished a home extension or made other modifications? This can lead to an undersized air conditioner that will struggle to keep up with demand.
Solution: The only option for an outdated or undersized air conditioner is to swap it out. Trust our trained 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 still proves ineffective, it’s time to call in the HVAC experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We provide fast, reliable service to get your cooling back up and running as quickly as possible. Rest assured that our technicians follow the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term comfort. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.