When it’s sizzling outside, you rely on your cooling to keep things cool inside. But is your AC taking too long to cool down the house? This is typical on sweltering days, which squeeze your air conditioner harder than average. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your air conditioner is still having a tough time, your HVAC system may have a problem. Use these tips to help you resolve the matter.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged filter is the most frequent reason an AC system needs more time to lower the temperature of the house. The job of a filter is to snare airborne contaminants that might harm delicate HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even catch microscopic airborne contaminants to enhance indoor air quality.
As time passes, the filter becomes stuffed with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing circulation. Besides making the air conditioning system take longer to cool down the house, this situation can also result in larger energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating.
Solution: Check your air filter each month and exchange it if it looks dirty. Don't wait past three months to change the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re uncertain where an air filter is located, check with a local HVAC technician at your next service appointment.
Improper Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat has to be compatible with your cooling to run properly. Then, you have to set it correctly to reach a nice temperature. Employing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.
Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, want help learning about programmable options, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat on your own, call an HVAC technician at Midway Services for support.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
Split-system air conditioners have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit features the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air with the refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to hold onto heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is grimy, making it take more time to lower the temperature of your house.
Solution: Contact our HVAC specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this maintenance involves clearing away dust and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling performance.
Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit
Your AC system's cooling cycle will require transporting hot refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it expels heat to the exterior. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching yard waste, the cooling cycle can be less effective.
Solution: Gently hose down the outdoor unit to remove dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, cut back bushes to around 12 inches from the unit to boost ventilation.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is vital to a cool home. Typically, this substance flows in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak forms and your air conditioner loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and releasing heat from your home.
Solution: Only a licensed technician can mend refrigerant leaks and replenish the system. If you think you're dealing with this problem, get in touch with our HVAC professionals for help in no time.
Leaky Ductwork
Air ducts are vital to your HVAC system. A leak on either the return or supply side can make your air conditioner perform harder and longer to keep your home cool.
Solution: If you are dealing with irregular temperatures and high amounts of dust in the house, call Midway Services to take a look at your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.
Dirty or Blocked Air Vents
Conditioned air can only move throughout your home when the vents are open and free from any obstructions. Closing too many vents can even disrupt the system’s balance, contributing to more breakdowns and repair costs.
Solution: Check the vents in every room, seeing to it that they’re open and not blocked by furniture, carpets or drapes.
Aging or Inadequately Sized Air Conditioning System
Did you install your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the AC becomes less effective and can struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures. Additionally, have you recently built a home add-on or made other alterations? This might lead to an undersized air conditioner that will struggle to keep up with demand.
Solution: The only option for an aging or undersized air conditioner is to swap it out. Count on our licensed HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.
Schedule AC Repair with Midway Services
If your troubleshooting attempts prove ineffective, it’s time to contact the HVAC professionals at Midway Services. We provide fast, efficient service to get your HVAC system back up and running as soon as possible. You can rest easy knowing our technicians follow the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term peace of mind. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or other HVAC services today.