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

When it’s hot outside, you trust your AC system to keep things balmy inside. But is your air conditioning taking a long time to cool down the house? This is typical on sweltering days, which push your AC system harder than average. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your air conditioner is still struggling, your HVAC system could have a problem. Follow these tips to help you resolve the matter.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most frequent reason an air conditioning system needs too much time to lower the temperature of the house. The purpose of a filter is to trap airborne debris that could cause problems for your HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even catch microscopic airborne contaminants to improve indoor air quality.

As time passes, the filter becomes blocked up with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, limiting the flow of air. Besides making an air conditioner take a long time to cool down the house, this issue can also result in more expensive energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating.

Solution: Check your air filter each month and exchange it if it seems dirty. Don't wait more than three months to change the filter or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re not sure where an air filter is, ask an HVAC technician at your next service visit.

Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat must be compatible with your air conditioner to function correctly. Then, you have to set it correctly to reach a nice temperature. Implementing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat offers the best results.

Solution: If you want to upgrade your thermostat, need help learning about programmable settings, or may not feel comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, call an HVAC technician at Becht/Givens Service Experts for help.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Split-system air conditioners possess an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit features the evaporator coil, which takes in heat from the air using refrigerant. It’s more difficult for the refrigerant to hold onto heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is filthy, making it take longer to lower the temperature of your house.

Solution: Get in touch with our HVAC professionals to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this call includes removing dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to improve cooling performance.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

A cooling cycle will require sending warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat to the exterior. That said, if the outdoor unit is dirty or covered with encroaching vegetation, the cooling process may be less effective.

Solution: Gently 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 increase circulation.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is the secret to air conditioning. Normally, this substance flows in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak forms and your cooling loses refrigerant, it becomes less capable of absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.

Solution: Only a licensed technician can repair refrigerant leaks and recharge 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 arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak from either the return or supply side might make your air conditioner run harder and longer to cool your home.

Solution: If you notice irregular temperatures and an excessive amount of dust inside the house, get ahold of Becht/Givens Service Experts to examine your ductwork. Duct sealing or replacement can take care of the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Cool air can only flow through your home if the supply and return vents are open and unobstructed. Shutting too many vents can even mess with the system’s balance, contributing to more breakdowns and repair costs.

Solution: Take a look at the vents all through the house, making sure they’re open and not blocked by furniture, carpets or drapes.

Old or Inadequately Sized Air Conditioning System

Did you install your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As time passes, the system becomes less efficient and can fail to maintain a comfortable home. Likewise, have you recently finished a home extension or made other changes? This could leave you with an undersized air conditioner that won't always keep up with demand.

Solution: The only option for an outdated or undersized air conditioner is to replace it. Depend on our licensed HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.

Schedule AC Repair with Becht/Givens Service Experts

If your troubleshooting attempts prove ineffective, it’s time to bring in the HVAC experts at Becht/Givens Service Experts. We supply fast, reliable service to get your cooling back up and running right away. Rest assured that our technicians stick to the highest standards of care to ensure your long-term peace of mind. Contact us to request air conditioning repair or additional HVAC services today.