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

When it’s hot outside, you depend on your cooling 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 AC system harder than normal. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your AC is still having a hard time, your air conditioning could have a problem. Follow these tips to help you resolve the problem.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most likely reason an air conditioner needs too much time to lower the temperature of the house. The purpose of a filter is to capture airborne contaminants that could cause problems for your HVAC equipment. More efficient filters even capture very small airborne allergens to increase indoor air quality.

Over time, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing airflow. Besides making your AC unit take longer to cool down the house, this problem can also produce larger energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating.

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

Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat must be compatible with your air conditioner to function effectively. Then, you have to set it correctly to reach a comfortable temperature. Installing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.

Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, need help learning about programmable features, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat by yourself, contact an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for assistance.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Split-system air conditioners need an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which absorbs heat from the air using refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to hold onto heat effectively if the evaporator coil is grimy, making it take more time to lower the temperature of 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 improve cooling performance.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

Your AC system's cooling cycle will require transporting heated refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it expels heat away from your home. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching yard waste, the cooling cycle could be less effective.

Solution: Carefully hose off 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 circulation.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is vital to effective cooling. Normally, this substance travels in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your air conditioner loses refrigerant, it becomes more difficult to handle the cycle of absorbing and expelling heat from your home.

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

Leaky Ductwork

Air ducts are the highways of your HVAC system. A leak on either the return or supply side might make your air conditioner run harder and longer to cool your home.

Solution: If you experience inconsistent temperatures and excessive dust inside the house, contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect your air ducts. Duct sealing or replacement can fix the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Cooled air can only circulate throughout your home as long as the supply and return vents are open and clear. Shutting too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, leading to more 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, carpeting or window treatments.

Aging or Undersized Air Conditioning System

Did you set up your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the system becomes less effective and can fail to maintain comfortable temperatures. Additionally, have you recently built a home addition or made other alterations? This may lead to an undersized air conditioner that will struggle to keep up with demand.

Solution: The only solution for an old or undersized air conditioner is to replace it. Trust our trained 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 contact the HVAC experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We deliver fast, reliable support to get your cooling back up and running right away. Rest assured that our technicians follow the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term comfort. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or other HVAC services today.