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

When it’s hot outside, you count on your cooling to keep things comfortable inside. But is your air conditioner taking too long to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which squeeze your AC system harder than usual. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your AC is still having a hard time, your air conditioner could have a problem. Try these tips to help you troubleshoot the matter.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most common reason an AC system needs more time to cool the house. The job of a filter is to snare airborne debris that could damage sensitive HVAC equipment. More efficient filters even trap very small airborne allergens to enhance indoor air quality.

Over time, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, limiting airflow. Besides making your air conditioning system take longer to cool down the house, this situation can also produce higher energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating.

Solution: Check your air filter once a month and exchange it if it seems dirty. Try not to wait over three months to replace the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re uncertain where your air filter is, check with an HVAC technician at your next service appointment.

Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat has to be compatible with your AC system to run properly. Then, you have to set it correctly to maintain a nice temperature. Using a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat produces the best results.

Solution: If you want to upgrade your thermostat, want help learning about programmable options, or don’t feel comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, get in touch with an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for support.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Split-system air conditioners come with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air via the refrigerant. It’s challenging for the refrigerant to soak up heat properly if the evaporator coil is dirty, making it take longer to lower the temperature of your house.

Solution: Get in touch with our HVAC experts to clean and tune up your air conditioner. Part of this maintenance involves removing dust and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling efficiency.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

A cooling cycle involves transporting hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat to the exterior. That said, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching plants, the cooling cycle might be less efficient.

Solution: Carefully clean the outdoor unit to eliminate dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, trim back bushes to a minimum of 12 inches from the unit to improve airflow.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is the secret to a cool home. Normally, this substance moves in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak occurs and your air conditioner loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.

Solution: Only a licensed technician can repair refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you believe your AC is struggling with this problem, get in touch with our HVAC experts for help in no time.

Leaky Ductwork

Air ducts are the arteries and veins of 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 are dealing with irregular temperatures and excessive dust throughout the house, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to examine your ductwork. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Cooled air can only move around your home as long as the vents are open and unobstructed. Closing too many vents can even mess with the system’s balance, contributing to additional breakdowns and repair costs.

Solution: Take a look at the vents in every room, making sure they’re open and not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.

Aging or Poorly Sized AC System

Did you put in your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As time passes, the unit becomes less efficient and may be unable to maintain comfortable temperatures. Additionally, have you recently built a home extension or made other improvements? This could result in an undersized air conditioner that may be unable to keep up with demand.

Solution: The only fix for an old or undersized air conditioner is to swap it out. Depend 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 & Plumbing

If your troubleshooting attempts prove ineffective, feel free to bring in the HVAC specialists at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We provide fast, effective services to get your AC back up and running as quickly as possible. You can rest easy knowing our technicians follow the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term peace of mind. Contact us to arrange air conditioning repair or other HVAC services today.