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 balmy inside. But is your air conditioning taking too long to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which squeeze your air conditioner harder than usual. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your air conditioner is still having a hard time, your cooling equipment could have a problem. Follow these tips to help you troubleshoot the matter. 

Dirty Air Filter 

A clogged filter is the most common reason an air conditioning system takes too long to cool down the house. The job of a filter is to catch airborne debris that may harm your HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even trap tiny airborne particles to increase indoor air quality

As time passes, the filter becomes clogged with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, limiting circulation. Besides making your air conditioning system take a long time to cool down the house, this issue can also produce larger energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating. 

Solution: Check your air filter once a month and exchange it if it seems dirty. Don’t wait more than three months to exchange the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re uncertain where your air filter is located, talk to a local HVAC technician at your next service appointment. 

Improper Thermostat Settings 

Your thermostat must be compatible with your AC system to work properly. Then, you need to set it correctly to maintain a cozy temperature. Using a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results. 

Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, require help learning about programmable features, or may not feel comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, contact an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for support. 

Dirty Evaporator Coil 

Split-system air conditioners need an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit features the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air via the refrigerant. It’s more difficult for the refrigerant to hold onto heat effectively if the evaporator coil is dirty, 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 visit consists of clearing away debris and grime from the evaporator coil to improve cooling efficiency. 

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit 

A cooling cycle requires sending heated refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat away from your home. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching yard waste, the cooling process could be less successful. 

Solution: Gently clean 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 the secret to air conditioning. Normally, this substance travels in a closed loop back and forth between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak forms and your AC loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of absorbing and expelling heat from your home. 

Solution: Only a trained technician can mend refrigerant leaks and refresh the system. If you believe your AC is struggling with this problem, get in touch with our HVAC professionals for help right away. 

Leaky Ductwork 

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

Solution: If you are dealing with uneven temperatures and high amounts of dust around the house, call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect your ductwork. Duct sealing or replacement can resolve the problem. 

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents 

Cooled air can only flow through your home when the air vents are open and unobstructed. Closing too many vents can even mess with the system’s balance, resulting in additional breakdowns and repair costs. 

Solution: Inspect the vents in every room, seeing to it that they’re open and not blocked by furniture, carpets or window treatments. 

Outdated or Poorly Sized Air Conditioning System 

Did you set up your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it gets older, the AC becomes less efficient and can be unable to maintain comfortable temperatures. Additionally, have you recently built a home add-on or made other improvements? This can result in an undersized air conditioner that may be unable to keep up with demand. 

Solution: The only solution for an old or undersized air conditioner is to replace it. Count 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 still proves ineffective, it’s time to call in the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We provide fast, effective service to get your HVAC system back up and running right away. Rest assured that our technicians adhere to the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or any other HVAC services today.