There’s nothing more annoying than turning on the AC on a hot summer day and realizing it will not cool your house. If your air-conditioner is on and it’s still boiling in your house, something isn’t working quite right. Thankfully, lots of the possible culprits have easy solutions. Here’s what’s likely causing your home to not get the chill it needs — and what you can do about it.
Wrong Thermostat Setting: Occasionally, you might simply be trying to queer the issue by setting the wrong temperature on the thermostat. Very few people mean to set their system to “fan” instead of “cool” or turn the temperature up even higher. You will also want to verify that your thermostat is set to “cool” and that it’s not set to higher than the current room temperature. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, check to make sure the schedule isn’t superseding your desired settings.
Dirty Air Filter: The filter is responsible for removing dust and debris from the air circulating through your home. Eventually, the filter gets so clogged that it’s difficult for air to flow through. When it gets too hot the compressor will cut off, forcing the AC to work overtime, and you might experience weak airflow, or the AC may not blow cold air at all. Inspect the air filter monthly. If it appears dirty, get a new one. An air filter is a cheap investment to keep your system running smoothly.
Refrigerant Leak: The refrigerant transfers heat out of your house and back into the exterior. If the refrigerant line leaks, there will be a loss of charge and cooling effectiveness of the system. Professional repair is necessary for any refrigerant leaks. If you think there’s a leak — whether because you feel warm air coming out of the vents, or see ice on the refrigerant line, or the outdoor unit starts blowing warm air — then call a technician to patch the leak and fill back up the system.
Dirty Condenser Coils: Your AC has condenser coils in the outdoor unit that expel the heat that the system pulls from your home. When these coils become caked with dirt, grass clippings or dead leaves, they can’t do their job efficiently and your system will have to work harder. And just give your outdoor unit a general look over and clear it off of any debris. Spray the coils down with a light-stream of water from a garden hose. Professional maintenance can be arranged for deep cleaning.
Obstructed or Leaking Ducts: The ductwork is used to transport cooled air across the rooms in your house. Conditioned air may not circulate at all if there are any leaks, cracks or blockages. If and when it does, you’ll find some rooms are too hot, while others are nice and cool. Check your vents and registers to make sure they are open and unblocked by furniture, rugs or curtains. If you suspect the ducts may be a problem, call in a pro to check them out. It allow airflow and improves your air conditioner’s efficiency.
Frozen Evaporator Coil: Your system’s evaporator coil extracts heat from the air inside your home. When it ices up, air conditioning can’t cool well. In addition to the house not cooling, other telltale signs of a frozen evaporator coil are frost on the copper refrigerant lines, water around the indoor unit and high utility costs. Shut down your A/C and give it time to thaw. You may use a hair dryer to accelerate the process. In the interim, examine your air filter and change it if it looks dirty. If problems persists get a tech to check it out.
Bad Compressor: This component moves the refrigerant between your indoor and outdoor units. If it does not, your air conditioning system doesn’t perform but it won’t cool off the house. A compressor can go faulty with an electrical issue or because it is overheated or because a mechanical problem has developed. Compressor repair is hard, and it is best to call a professional. If you have an older AC and its compressor is broken, buying a new unit could be cheaper than replacing the compressor. Technician can determine weather repair or replacement is best.
Wrong AC Unit Size: When it comes to air conditioning, big isn’t always better. Is your unit too small for your living or sleeping space? If your unit is too small for your home, it won’t ever be able to cool efficiently. Conversely, an AC that’s too big could cool things down too fast but not do a good enough job in terms of removing moisture, resulting in a sticky, uncomfortable interior. If you’ve ever had trouble keeping it cool, your ac may be the wrong size. An HVAC contractor can use a load calculation to estimate the correct central air conditioner for your home. If not, updating the system could have a big impact on comfort and efficiency.
Contact the Experts at Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
If you are AC isn’t cooling your home, you need a team you can rely on to get you back on the right track. Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers prompt, quality service to help you meet your comfort challenges.
Our technicians are equipped to diagnose and repair any issue, and our satisfaction guarantee means we’ll keep going until you’re satisfied. When your house air conditioning isn’t cooling like it should, call Day & Night Plumbing today. We’re here to help!
