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

When it’s hot outside, you trust your air conditioner to keep things cool inside. But is your air conditioning taking forever to cool down the house? This is common on sweltering days, which strain your AC system harder than average. However, if it’s not very hot outside and your AC is still having a tough time, your cooling equipment could have a problem. Try these tips to help you troubleshoot the matter.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged filter is the most frequent reason an AC system takes too long to lower the temperature of the house. The purpose of a filter is to capture airborne debris that could harm delicate HVAC equipment. More advanced filters even capture very small airborne allergens to increase indoor air quality.

Over time, the filter becomes clogged with dust, pet hair, and textile fibers, restricting the flow of air. Besides making an air conditioner take longer to cool down the house, this issue can also lead to higher energy bills, higher wear and tear, and overheating.

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

Improper Thermostat Settings

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

Solution: If you want to replace your thermostat, require help learning about programmable options, or aren't comfortable programming a thermostat yourself, call an HVAC technician at Donelson Air Service Experts for help.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Split-system air conditioners need an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which absorbs heat from the air using refrigerant. It’s hard for the refrigerant to hold onto heat properly if the evaporator coil is grimy, making it take longer to lower the temperature of your house.

Solution: Call our HVAC specialists to clean and tune up your air conditioner. An important part of this maintenance includes removing dirt and grime from the evaporator coil to enhance cooling performance.

Dirty or Obstructed Outdoor Unit

Your AC system's cooling cycle requires moving warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it ventilates heat into the outdoor air. That said, if the outdoor unit is dirty or surrounded by encroaching vegetation, the cooling process can be less efficient.

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

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is the secret to a cool home. Typically, this substance moves in a closed loop among the indoor and outdoor units. If a leak develops and your cooling loses refrigerant, it becomes less effective at absorbing and dissipating heat from your home.

Solution: Only a qualified technician can correct refrigerant leaks and recharge the system. If you suspect this problem, get in touch with our HVAC experts for help right away.

Leaky Ductwork

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

Solution: If you notice uneven temperatures and an excessive amount of dust inside the house, get ahold of Donelson Air Service Experts to examine your ventilation. Duct sealing or replacement can resolve the problem.

Dirty or Blocked Air Vents

Cooled air can only flow throughout your home when the vents are open and clear. Shutting too many vents can even disrupt the system’s balance, leading to more breakdowns and repair costs.

Solution: Check the vents all through the house, ensuring they’re open and unblocked by furniture, carpets or curtains.

Old or Poorly Sized Air Conditioner

Did you install your air conditioner more than 10 to 15 years ago? As it gets older, the system becomes less effective and may be unable to maintain comfortable temperatures. Additionally, have you recently completed a home add-on or made other alterations? This could result in an undersized air conditioner that can’t keep up with demand.

Solution: The only solution for an aging or undersized air conditioner is to swap it out. Depend on our trained HVAC technicians to size and install your new unit for comfort and efficiency.

Schedule AC Repair with Donelson Air Service Experts

If your troubleshooting efforts prove ineffective, don't hesitate to contact the HVAC experts at Donelson Air Service Experts. We provide fast, efficient support to get your cooling back up and running as quickly as possible. Rest assured that our technicians adhere to the highest standards of customer service to ensure your long-term comfort. Contact us to arrange air conditioning repair or any other HVAC services today.