When it’s scorching outside, you rely on your AC system to keep things cool inside. But is your air conditioning taking too long to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which push your cooling harder than usual. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your air conditioner is still having a hard time, your HVAC system could have a problem. Try these tips to help you diagnose the matter.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most frequent reason an air conditioner takes too long to cool down the house. The job of a filter is to snare airborne debris that might damage sensitive HVAC equipment. More effective filters even catch tiny airborne allergens to enhance indoor air quality.
Eventually, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, limiting the flow of air. Besides making an air conditioner take a long time to cool down the house, this situation can also result in higher energy bills, additional wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter each month and exchange it if it seems dirty. Don't wait over three months to change the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re not sure where an air filter is, ask an HVAC technician at your next service appointment.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat must be compatible with your air conditioner to work effectively. Then, you must set it correctly to maintain a comfortable temperature. Using a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat produces the best results.
Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, need help learning about programmable features, or may not feel comfortable programming a thermostat by yourself, call an HVAC technician at Pardee Service Experts for assistance.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners come with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, which soaks up heat from the air with the refrigerant. It’s challenging for the refrigerant to hold onto heat properly if the evaporator coil is grimy, making it take more time to cool down the house.
Solution: Get in touch with our HVAC experts to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An element of this visit involves cleaning out dust and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling efficiency.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
A cooling cycle requires transporting heated refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it expels heat into the outdoor air. That said, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching vegetation, the cooling process can be less successful.
Solution: Gently hose down the outdoor unit to get rid of dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, trim back bushes to a minimum of 12 inches from the unit to increase airflow.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the secret to air conditioning. Typically, this substance moves 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 releasing heat from your home.
Solution: Only a licensed technician can repair refrigerant leaks and replenish the system. If you suspect this problem, call our HVAC professionals for help at once.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are the arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side could make your air conditioner run harder and longer maintain comfortable temperatures.
Solution: If you experience uneven temperatures and an excessive amount of dust around the house, contact Pardee Service Experts to examine your ductwork. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Conditioned air can only circulate around your home as long as the air vents are open and clear. Closing too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, contributing to additional breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Take a look at the vents all through the house, seeing to it that they’re open and unobstructed by furniture, rugs or window treatments.
Aging or Poorly Sized AC System
Did you set up your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it gets older, the system becomes less effective and might be unable to maintain comfortable temperatures. Likewise, have you recently finished a home extension or made other changes? This can result in 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 swap it out. Count on our licensed HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with Pardee Service Experts
If your troubleshooting still proves ineffective, it’s time to bring in the HVAC specialists at Pardee Service Experts. We deliver fast, reliable support to get your HVAC system back up and running right away. You can count on the fact that our technicians follow the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.