When it’s hot outside, you rely on your AC system to keep things balmy 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 normal. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your cooling is still having a tough time, your air conditioner 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 AC system needs more time to cool the house. The function of a filter is to catch airborne debris that could harm delicate HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even trap very small airborne allergens to improve indoor air quality.
As time passes, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing the flow of air. Besides making the air conditioning system take longer to cool down the house, this issue can also result in more expensive energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter once a month and exchange it if it seems dirty. Don't wait past three months to exchange the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re not sure where an air filter is, check with your HVAC technician at your next service appointment.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat has to be compatible with your cooling to function correctly. Then, you need to set it correctly to reach a comfortable temperature. Implementing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat provides the best results.
Solution: If you want to update your thermostat, require help learning about programmable settings, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat by yourself, contact an HVAC technician at Stark Services for assistance.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners possess an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which absorbs heat from the air with the refrigerant. It’s more difficult for the refrigerant to hold onto heat effectively if the evaporator coil is filthy, making it take more time to cool your house.
Solution: Get in touch with our HVAC experts to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this maintenance involves clearing away dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling efficiency.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
A cooling cycle requires sending warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat into the outdoor air. However, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching plants, the cooling cycle can be less effective.
Solution: Lightly hose down the outdoor unit to remove dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, trim back bushes to a minimum of 12 inches from the unit to boost ventilation.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is an essential tool to air conditioning. Usually, this substance moves in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak occurs and your AC loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and releasing heat from your home.
Solution: Only a licensed technician can fix refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you believe your AC is struggling with this problem, call our HVAC specialists for help straight away.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are vital to your HVAC system. A leak from either the return or supply side could make your air conditioner run harder and longer to keep your home cool.
Solution: If you notice inconsistent temperatures and excessive dust inside the house, call Stark Services to take a look at your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can fix the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Cool air can only circulate through your home if the supply and return vents are open and clear. Shutting too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, resulting in more breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Take a look at the vents in every room, seeing to it that they’re open and unblocked by furniture, carpeting or window treatments.
Old or Poorly Sized AC System
Did you install your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it gets older, the system becomes less efficient and might be unable to maintain a comfortable home. Likewise, have you recently built a home extension or made other modifications? This may 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. Count on our licensed HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with Stark Services
If your troubleshooting efforts prove ineffective, don't hesitate to contact the HVAC specialists at Stark Services. We supply fast, reliable support to get your cooling back up and running as soon as possible. You can count on the fact that our technicians stick to the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.