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 cool inside. But is your air conditioner taking too long to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which push your air conditioner harder than normal. However, if it’s not especially hot outside and your AC is still having a hard time, your air conditioner might have a problem. Follow these tips to help you diagnose the matter. 

Dirty Air Filter 

A clogged filter is the most likely reason an air conditioning system needs too much time to lower the temperature of the house. The job of a filter is to snare airborne debris that may damage your HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even trap microscopic airborne allergens to increase indoor air quality. 

As time passes, the filter becomes stuffed with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, restricting the flow of air. Besides making an air conditioning system take more time to cool down the house, this problem can also produce higher energy bills, increased 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 uncertain where the air filter can be found, ask a local HVAC technician at your next service visit. 

Improper Thermostat Settings 

Your thermostat needs to be compatible with your air conditioner to work properly. Then, you must set it correctly to reach a nice temperature. Employing 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 by yourself, get in touch with an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for assistance. 

Dirty Evaporator Coil 

Split-system air conditioners have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes the evaporator coil, which soaks up 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 longer to lower the temperature of your house. 

Solution: Call our HVAC experts to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An element of this maintenance includes removing dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling efficiency. 

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit 

The cooling cycle involves moving hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it expels heat into the outdoor air. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching vegetation, the cooling process could be less successful. 

Solution: Gently clean the outdoor unit to remove dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, cut back bushes to a minimum of 12 inches from the unit to enhance airflow. 

Refrigerant Leak 

Refrigerant is an essential tool to effective cooling. Usually, this substance travels in a closed loop back and forth between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak forms and your air conditioner loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of absorbing and releasing heat from your home. 

Solution: Only a licensed technician can mend refrigerant leaks and replenish the system. If you believe your AC is struggling with this problem, call up our HVAC pros for help right away. 

Leaky Ductwork 

Air ducts are the arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak on either the return or supply side could make your air conditioner work harder and longer maintain comfortable temperatures. 

Solution: If you experience irregular temperatures and high amounts of dust around the house, get ahold of Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect your air ducts. Duct sealing or replacement can resolve the problem. 

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents 

Cooled air can only move around your home as long as the supply and return vents are open and free from any obstructions. Shutting too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, contributing to more breakdowns and repair costs. 

Solution: Inspect the vents all through the house, making sure they’re open and unobstructed by furniture, rugs or window treatments. 

Aging or Undersized AC System 

Did you put in your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it gets older, the unit becomes less efficient and can fail to maintain comfortable temperatures. Likewise, have you recently finished a home addition or made other improvements? This could leave you with an undersized air conditioner that won’t always keep up with demand. 

Solution: The only fix for an old or undersized air conditioner is to exchange it. Count on our qualified HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency. 

Schedule AC Repair with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

If your troubleshooting attempts prove ineffective, feel free to bring in the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide fast, reliable services to get your HVAC system back up and running as quickly as possible. You can count on the fact that our technicians adhere to the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term comfort. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or any other HVAC services today.