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

When it’s hot outside, you rely on your air conditioner to keep things comfortable inside. But is your air conditioner taking a long time to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which push your air conditioner harder than average. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your air conditioner is still having a hard time, your HVAC system could have a problem. Try these tips to help you diagnose the issue.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most common reason an air conditioning system needs too much time to cool the house. The job of a filter is to capture airborne particles that can harm sensitive HVAC equipment. More efficient filters even trap microscopic airborne particles to enhance indoor air quality.

Eventually, the filter becomes stuffed with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, restricting airflow. Besides making your AC unit take longer to cool down the house, this problem can also produce higher energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating.

Solution: Check your air filter each month and exchange it if it appears dirty. Try not to wait more than three months to change the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re unsure where the air filter is located, ask your HVAC technician at your next service visit.

Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat needs to be compatible with your air conditioner to function effectively. Then, you need to set it correctly to sustain a comfortable temperature. Implementing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.

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

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Split-system air conditioners possess an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes the evaporator coil, which soaks up heat from the air with the refrigerant. It’s challenging for the refrigerant to absorb heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is grimy, making it take longer to cool your house.

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

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

A cooling cycle will require sending hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat to the exterior. However, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching yard waste, the cooling cycle could be less effective.

Solution: Lightly hose off the outdoor unit to get rid of dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, trim back bushes to at least 12 inches from the unit to enhance circulation.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is the key to air conditioning. Typically, this substance travels in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your AC loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.

Solution: Only a trained technician can fix refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you think you’re dealing with this problem, call our HVAC experts for help right away.

Leaky Ductwork

Air ducts are the arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side might make your air conditioner perform harder and longer to cool your home.

Solution: If you experience irregular temperatures and excessive dust throughout the house, get ahold of Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can resolve the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Cooled air can only circulate through your home as long as the supply and return vents are open and free from any obstructions. Closing too many vents can even disrupt the system’s balance, contributing to additional breakdowns and repair costs.

Solution: Take a look at the vents in each room, seeing to it that they’re open and unblocked by furniture, carpets or curtains.

Old or Undersized Air Conditioning System

Did you install your cooling more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the system becomes less efficient and can fail to maintain steady cooling. Likewise, have you recently finished a home extension or made other modifications? This could leave you with an undersized air conditioner that can’t keep up with demand.

Solution: The only solution for an old or undersized air conditioner is to exchange it. Depend on our licensed 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 efforts prove ineffective, it’s time to contact the HVAC specialists at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We supply fast, reliable support to get your cooling back up and running as quickly as possible. Rest assured that our technicians follow the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to arrange air conditioning repair or other HVAC services today.