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

When it’s scorching outside, you trust your air conditioner to keep things comfortable inside. But is your air conditioner taking too long to cool down the house? This is typical on sweltering days, which strain your AC system harder than usual. However, if it’s not especially hot outside and your AC is still having a hard time, your air conditioner may have a problem. Follow these tips to help you diagnose the issue. 

Dirty Air Filter 

A clogged filter is the most likely reason an AC system takes too long to lower the temperature of the house. The purpose of a filter is to trap airborne particles that can damage sensitive HVAC equipment. More effective filters even capture microscopic airborne particles to enhance indoor air quality. 

Eventually, the filter becomes clogged with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing circulation. Besides making your air conditioner take a long time to cool down the house, this situation can also produce larger energy bills, additional wear and tear, and overheating. 

Solution: Check your air filter once a month and exchange it if it seems dirty. Try not to wait past three months to replace the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re unsure where your air filter is located, ask your HVAC technician at your next service visit. 

Improper Thermostat Settings 

Your thermostat has to be compatible with your air conditioner to run correctly. Then, you need to set it correctly to maintain a comfortable temperature. Installing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat produces the best results. 

Solution: If you want to upgrade your thermostat, need help learning about programmable features, or don’t feel comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, get in touch with an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. 

Dirty Evaporator Coil 

Split-system air conditioners need an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes the evaporator coil, which absorbs heat from the air via the refrigerant. It’s challenging for the refrigerant to hold onto heat properly if the evaporator coil is filthy, making it take more time to cool down the house. 

Solution: Call our HVAC experts to tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this maintenance consists of a cleanliness check for debris and grime around the evaporator coil. If debris is found, the evaporator coil can be cleaned to boost cooling performance. 

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit 

The cooling cycle requires sending warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat into the outdoor air. However, if the outdoor unit is dirty or surrounded by encroaching vegetation, the cooling process might be less effective. 

Solution: Carefully clean the outdoor unit to eliminate dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, trim back bushes to at least 12 inches from the unit to improve circulation. 

Refrigerant Leak 

Refrigerant is an essential tool to a cool home. Normally, this substance travels in a closed loop back and forth between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your air conditioner loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of absorbing and expelling heat from your home. 

Solution: Only a qualified technician can mend refrigerant leaks and replenish the system. If you believe your AC is struggling with this problem, call up our HVAC experts 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 perform harder and longer to cool your home. 

Solution: If you notice irregular temperatures and an excessive amount of dust in the house, get in touch with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect your air ducts. Duct sealing or replacement can resolve the problem. 

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents 

Cooled air can only move throughout your home as long as the vents are open and unobstructed. Closing too many vents can even disrupt the system’s balance, contributing to increased breakdowns and repair costs. 

Solution: Check the vents in each room, ensuring they’re open and unobstructed by furniture, rugs or drapes. 

Outdated or Undersized Air Conditioner 

Did you set up your cooling more than 10 to 15 years ago? As time passes, the AC becomes less effective and might be unable to maintain comfortable temperatures. Likewise, have you recently finished a home add-on or made other modifications? This can leave you with an undersized air conditioner that may be unable to keep up with demand. 

Solution: The only solution for an aging 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 still proves ineffective, don’t hesitate to call in the HVAC specialists at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We supply fast, efficient 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 peace of mind. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or other HVAC services today.