When it’s sizzling outside, you depend on your AC system to keep things balmy 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 usual. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your AC is still having a tough time, your air conditioning could have a problem. Use these tips to help you diagnose the problem.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most likely reason an air conditioning system needs more time to lower the temperature of the house. The job of a filter is to catch airborne pollutants that may harm sensitive HVAC equipment. More effective filters even trap tiny airborne particles to enhance indoor air quality.
Eventually, the filter becomes clogged with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing circulation. Besides making an AC unit take a long time to cool down the house, this situation can also produce more expensive energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter every month and replace it if it appears dirty. Don't wait over three months to change the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re uncertain where the air filter is located, check with an HVAC technician at your next service appointment.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat must be compatible with your AC system to run effectively. Then, you must set it correctly to maintain a comfortable temperature. Employing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.
Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, need help learning about programmable settings, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, contact an HVAC technician at Finch Air Conditioning & Heating for support.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners come with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which soaks up heat from the air using refrigerant. It’s more difficult for the refrigerant to hold onto 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 specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An element of this visit consists of removing dust and grime from the evaporator coil to boost cooling efficiency.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
The cooling cycle involves transporting hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat to the exterior. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching yard waste, the cooling process might be less efficient.
Solution: Gently hose off the outdoor unit to get rid of dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, prune back bushes to around 12 inches from the unit to increase ventilation.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the key to a cool home. Normally, this substance flows in a closed loop among 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 qualified technician can repair refrigerant leaks and replenish the system. If you think you're dealing with this problem, call our HVAC professionals for help right away.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are the highways of your HVAC system. A leak from either the return or supply side can make your air conditioner work harder and longer to keep your home cool.
Solution: If you experience uneven temperatures and excessive dust in the house, get ahold of Finch Air Conditioning & Heating to inspect your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Conditioned air can only move throughout your home as long as the vents are open and clear. Shutting too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, contributing to additional breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Check the vents in every room, ensuring they’re open and unobstructed by furniture, rugs or curtains.
Aging or Undersized AC System
Did you set up your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it gets older, the system becomes less efficient and might struggle to maintain steady cooling. Likewise, have you recently finished a home extension or made other modifications? This might leave you with 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. Count on our trained HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with Finch Air Conditioning & Heating
If your troubleshooting efforts prove ineffective, feel free to contact the HVAC specialists at Finch Air Conditioning & Heating. We provide fast, effective support to get your AC back up and running right away. You can rest easy knowing our technicians adhere to the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to arrange air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.