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

When it’s hot outside, you count on your AC system to keep things cool inside. But is your air conditioner taking forever to cool down the house? This is familiar on sweltering days, which strain your air conditioner harder than normal. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your air conditioning is still struggling, your air conditioning may have a problem. Follow these tips to help you diagnose the matter.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most frequent reason an air conditioner takes too long to cool down the house. The purpose of a filter is to snare airborne debris that may cause problems for your HVAC equipment. More efficient filters even trap tiny airborne contaminants to enhance indoor air quality.

Eventually, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, reducing airflow. Besides making the air conditioner take longer to cool down the house, this situation can also produce higher energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating.

Solution: Check your air filter each 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 uncertain where an air filter can be found, talk to a local HVAC technician at your next service appointment.

Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat has to be compatible with your AC system to run properly. Then, you must set it correctly to maintain a cozy temperature. Employing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat provides the best results.

Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, require help learning about programmable settings, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat by yourself, contact an HVAC technician at Norrell Service Experts for assistance.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Split-system air conditioners possess an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, which collects heat from the air via the refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to soak up heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is dirty, making it take more time to lower the temperature of your house.

Solution: Call our HVAC professionals to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An element of this maintenance includes clearing away dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to boost cooling performance.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

The cooling cycle requires sending warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it expels heat into the outdoor air. Unfortunately, if the outdoor unit is dirty or overgrown with encroaching yard waste, the cooling process may be less efficient.

Solution: Carefully hose off the outdoor unit to eliminate dust, cobwebs, pine needles and grass clippings. Then, prune back bushes to around 12 inches from the unit to enhance circulation.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is vital to air conditioning. Normally, this substance travels in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your AC loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and expelling heat from your home.

Solution: Only a qualified technician can fix refrigerant leaks and refresh the system. If you suspect this problem, get in touch with our HVAC pros for help in no time.

Leaky Ductwork

Air ducts are the arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side can make your air conditioner work harder and longer maintain comfortable temperatures.

Solution: If you notice irregular temperatures and an excessive amount of dust inside the house, call Norrell Service Experts to inspect your ductwork. Duct sealing or replacement can fix the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Cool air can only flow throughout your home when the vents are open and unobstructed. Shutting too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, resulting in additional breakdowns and repair costs.

Solution: Check the vents in each room, making sure they’re open and unblocked by furniture, rugs or curtains.

Aging or Undersized AC System

Did you install your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the system becomes less efficient and might fail to maintain a comfortable home. Additionally, have you recently completed a home addition or made other improvements? This could 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 Norrell Service Experts

If your troubleshooting efforts prove ineffective, don't hesitate to bring in the HVAC specialists at Norrell Service Experts. We provide fast, reliable services to get your cooling back up and running as soon as possible. You can rest easy knowing our technicians adhere to the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.