Why Does the AC Take So Long to Cool Down the House?

When it’s scorching outside, you trust your air conditioner to keep things balmy inside. But is your AC taking too long to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which squeeze your cooling harder than usual. However, if it’s not especially hot outside and your cooling is still struggling, your cooling equipment might have a problem. Use these tips to help you diagnose the problem.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most common reason an AC system needs more time to cool down the house. The function of a filter is to capture airborne pollutants that might damage sensitive HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even catch microscopic airborne particles to improve indoor air quality.

Over time, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, limiting airflow. Besides making an air conditioner take longer to cool down the house, this problem can also result in larger energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating.

Solution: Check your air filter every month and change 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 your air filter is, talk to an HVAC technician at your next service visit.

Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat has to be compatible with your air conditioner to run effectively. Then, you need to set it correctly to sustain a cozy temperature. Using a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.

Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, need help learning about programmable options, or aren’t comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, call an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 more difficult for the refrigerant to hold onto heat properly if the evaporator coil is filthy, making it take more time to cool your house.

Solution: Call our HVAC professionals to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this visit includes cleaning out debris and grime from the evaporator coil to improve cooling efficiency.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

The cooling cycle involves transporting heated refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat away from your home. That said, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching yard waste, the cooling process might be less efficient.

Solution: Carefully hose down the outdoor unit to remove dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, prune back bushes to around 12 inches from the unit to boost circulation.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is the key to effective cooling. Normally, this substance travels in a closed loop back and forth between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak forms and your cooling loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and expelling 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 our HVAC experts for help in no time.

Leaky Ductwork

Air ducts are vital to your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side could make your air conditioner work harder and longer to cool your home.

Solution: If you notice inconsistent temperatures and excessive dust around the house, get in touch with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to examine your air ducts. Duct sealing or replacement can resolve the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Conditioned air can only flow through your home as long as the vents are open and free from any obstructions. Closing too many vents can even mess with the system’s balance, leading to additional breakdowns and repair costs.

Solution: Check the vents all through the house, ensuring they’re open and not blocked by furniture, rugs or drapes.

Aging or Poorly Sized AC System

Did you install your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the unit becomes less efficient and may fail to maintain steady cooling. Additionally, have you recently built a home extension or made other changes? This can lead to an undersized air conditioner that can’t keep up with demand.

Solution: The only fix for an old or undersized air conditioner is to replace it. Count on 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, don’t hesitate to bring in the HVAC professionals at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We supply fast, reliable service to get your HVAC system back up and running as quickly as possible. Rest assured that our technicians practice the highest standards of support to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or any other HVAC services today.