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

When it’s scorching outside, you rely on your cooling to keep things cool inside. But is your air conditioner taking too long to cool down the house? This is familiar on sweltering days, which squeeze your air conditioner harder than usual. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your cooling is still having a tough time, your cooling equipment may have a problem. Use these tips to help you troubleshoot the problem.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most frequent reason an air conditioning system takes too long to lower the temperature of the house. The purpose of a filter is to trap airborne contaminants that can harm sensitive HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even trap very small airborne particles to improve indoor air quality.

Over time, the filter becomes clogged with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing circulation. Besides making your air conditioning system take a long time to cool down the house, this situation can also produce higher 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 over three months to change the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re unsure where your air filter is located, check with an HVAC technician at your next service appointment.

Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat needs to be compatible with your air conditioner to run correctly. Then, you need to set it correctly to reach a nice temperature. Using a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat produces the best results.

Solution: If you want to update your thermostat, need help learning about programmable options, or aren’t comfortable programming a thermostat on your own, call an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for support.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Split-system air conditioners have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air using refrigerant. It’s challenging for the refrigerant to soak up heat properly if the evaporator coil is dirty, making it take more time to cool down the house.

Solution: Contact our HVAC experts to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this visit consists of cleaning out dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to improve cooling efficiency.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

A cooling cycle will require transporting warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat away from your home. However, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching yard waste, the cooling process could be less successful.

Solution: Gently hose down the outdoor unit to remove dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, cut back bushes to at least 12 inches from the unit to increase airflow.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is an essential tool to a cool home. Typically, 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 less effective at absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.

Solution: Only a trained technician can mend refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you suspect this problem, call our HVAC pros for help at once.

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 keep your home cool.

Solution: If you notice irregular temperatures and excessive dust throughout the house, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to examine your air ducts. Duct sealing or replacement can fix the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Cooled air can only flow through your home when the air vents are open and clear. Closing too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, resulting in more breakdowns and repair costs.

Solution: Check the vents all through the house, ensuring they’re open and not blocked by furniture, rugs or drapes.

Outdated or Undersized Air Conditioning System

Did you install your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the unit becomes less effective and might struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures. Additionally, have you recently finished a home extension or made other alterations? This may lead to an undersized air conditioner that may be unable to keep up with demand.

Solution: The only option for an aging or undersized air conditioner is to exchange it. Trust our qualified 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 bring in the HVAC experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We supply fast, effective service to get your cooling back up and running as soon as possible. Rest assured that our technicians practice the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term comfort. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or any other HVAC services today.