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

When it’s scorching outside, you rely on your air conditioner to keep things cool inside. But is your AC taking forever to cool down the house? This is typical on sweltering days, which push your air conditioner harder than usual. However, if it’s not particularly hot outside and your AC is still having a hard time, your cooling equipment could have a problem. Follow these tips to help you troubleshoot the issue. 

Dirty Air Filter 

A clogged filter is the most likely reason an air conditioner takes too long to lower the temperature of the house. The purpose of a filter is to trap airborne debris that could damage sensitive HVAC equipment. More effective filters even catch tiny airborne contaminants to improve indoor air quality. 

As time passes, the filter becomes stuffed with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, restricting airflow. Besides making your air conditioner take longer to cool down the house, this problem can also produce higher energy bills, increased wear and tear, and overheating. 

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

Improper Thermostat Settings 

Your thermostat must be compatible with your air conditioner to function properly. Then, you have to set it correctly to maintain a comfortable temperature. Using a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat provides the best results. 

Solution: If you want to update 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 Levy & Son Service Experts for help. 

Dirty Evaporator Coil 

Split-system air conditioners have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, which absorbs heat from the air with the refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to absorb heat efficiently if the evaporator coil is grimy, making it take longer to cool down the house. 

Solution: Contact our HVAC specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. Part of this visit consists of cleaning out dust and grime from the evaporator coil to improve cooling performance. 

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit 

The cooling cycle requires moving warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat to the exterior. That said, if the outdoor unit is dirty or surrounded by encroaching vegetation, the cooling process may be less successful. 

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

Refrigerant Leak 

Refrigerant is the key to air conditioning. Typically, 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 expelling heat from your home. 

Solution: Only a licensed technician can repair refrigerant leaks and refresh the system. If you suspect this problem, call our HVAC pros for help right away. 

Leaky Ductwork 

Air ducts are the arteries and veins of your HVAC system. A leak in either the return or supply side might make your air conditioner work harder and longer to cool your home. 

Solution: If you notice inconsistent temperatures and excessive dust throughout the house, contact Levy & Son Service Experts to take a look at your ductwork. Duct sealing or replacement can fix the problem. 

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents 

Cool air can only flow around your home if the supply and return vents are open and unobstructed. Closing too many vents can even throw off the system’s balance, contributing to more breakdowns and repair costs. 

Solution: Take a look at the vents in each room, ensuring they’re open and unblocked by furniture, rugs or curtains. 

Outdated or Undersized Air Conditioner 

Did you install your air conditioning more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it ages, the system becomes less efficient and may fail to maintain a comfortable home. Furthermore, have you recently built a home addition or made other modifications? This could result in an undersized air conditioner that can’t keep up with demand. 

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

Schedule AC Repair with Levy & Son Service Experts 

If your troubleshooting efforts prove ineffective, feel free to call in the HVAC pros at Levy & Son Service Experts. We supply fast, efficient service to get your AC back up and running as quickly as possible. Rest assured that our technicians follow the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term satisfaction. Contact us to schedule air conditioning repair or other HVAC services today.