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

When it’s scorching outside, you depend on your cooling to keep things comfortable inside. But is your AC taking too long to cool down the house? This is familiar on sweltering days, which strain your air conditioner harder than normal. However, if it’s not especially hot outside and your AC is still having a hard time, your air conditioner could have a problem. Follow these tips to help you troubleshoot the matter. 

Dirty Air Filter 

A clogged filter is the most likely reason an air conditioner needs too much time to cool down the house. The function of a filter is to capture airborne pollutants that may cause problems for delicate HVAC equipment. More effective filters even capture very small airborne contaminants to improve indoor air quality

Over time, the filter becomes stuffed with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing circulation. Besides making your air conditioning system take more time to cool down the house, this issue can also result in larger energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating. 

Solution: Check your air filter once a month and exchange it if it seems dirty. Try not to wait longer than three months to replace the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re uncertain where the air filter can be found, check with a local HVAC technician at your next service visit. 

Improper Thermostat Settings 

Your thermostat has to be compatible with your AC system to run correctly. Then, you have to set it correctly to sustain a cozy temperature. Employing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat produces 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, get in touch with an HVAC technician at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for support. 

Dirty Evaporator Coil 

Split-system air conditioners possess an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which soaks up heat from the air using refrigerant. It’s challenging for the refrigerant to soak up heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is grimy, making it take more time to cool your house. 

Solution: Contact our HVAC professionals to clean and tune up your air conditioner. Part of this call includes removing dust and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling performance. 

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit 

The cooling cycle will require transporting warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it exhausts heat away from your home. That said, if the outdoor unit is dirty or surrounded by encroaching vegetation, the cooling process can be less successful. 

Solution: Gently hose off the outdoor unit to get rid of dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, prune back bushes to around 12 inches from the unit to increase airflow. 

Refrigerant Leak 

Refrigerant is an essential tool to effective cooling. Normally, this substance moves in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your AC loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of absorbing and dissipating heat from your home. 

Solution: Only a qualified technician can fix refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you believe your AC is struggling with this problem, call our HVAC specialists for help at once. 

Leaky Ductwork 

Air ducts are the highways of your HVAC system. A leak from either the return or supply side could make your air conditioner work harder and longer maintain comfortable temperatures. 

Solution: If you experience inconsistent 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 

Conditioned air can only flow around your home if the vents are open and free from any obstructions. Closing too many vents can even mess with the system’s balance, contributing to additional breakdowns and repair costs. 

Solution: Take a look at the vents all through the house, ensuring they’re open and unblocked by furniture, carpeting or curtains. 

Outdated or Inadequately Sized Air Conditioning System 

Did you set up your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the system becomes less effective and could be unable to maintain steady cooling. Additionally, have you recently built a home addition or made other improvements? This might lead to an undersized air conditioner that won’t always keep up with demand. 

Solution: The only fix for an aging or undersized air conditioner is to exchange it. Count on 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 efforts prove ineffective, feel free to contact the HVAC experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We provide fast, efficient service to get your cooling back up and running as soon as possible. You can rest easy knowing our technicians practice the highest standards of support to ensure your long-term comfort. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.