Having a home cooling system is a significant benefit when it comes to navigating the hot summer season comfortably. Unfortunately, like any other household appliance, your AC unit may malfunction from time to time. If you notice that your cooling system isn’t adequately cooling your home, the issue could be one of several problems.
Dirty Air Filter
The usual suspect behind insufficient AC cooling is a dirty air filter. The filter for your system is responsible for removing unwanted particles from your air. As it traps these particles, the filter gets fuller and fuller. Eventually, it will act more like a brick wall than a filter. You can pull out the air filter and check it. If you can’t see through the filter because it’s clogged with debris, it’s time to replace it with a new one to resolve your inefficient cooling issue.
Low Refrigerant Level
The lifeblood of your air conditioning system is refrigerant. This substance absorbs heat from inside your home and transports it to the outdoors. Over time, your system’s refrigerant level may drop due to leaks in your refrigerant lines or coils. When there isn’t enough refrigerant, your AC unit will struggle to remove heat from inside your home.
In this case, you’ll need one of our knowledgeable technicians to locate and repair the source of the refrigerant leak. Then, they’ll be able to successfully recharge your unit’s refrigerant level, allowing it to function normally again. Homeowners typically cannot recharge their system’s refrigerant because it requires specialized tools and equipment that only HVAC providers possess.
Thermostat Malfunction
Another reason your home air conditioner may struggle to cool your home adequately is due to a thermostat malfunction. You may have your thermostat set to the wrong temperature setting. Check to see if your blower fan is set to ‘on’. If so, your blower fan will run continuously, even when your AC unit isn’t. This is a simple fix, as all you need to do is set your blower fan to auto so it only runs when your AC is running.
If your thermostat is not calibrated correctly, it will read a temperature that isn’t the actual room temperature. This can also happen when your thermostat is in a poor location, such as directly in the path of a supply vent, which causes it to read a lower temperature than the actual temperature of your room. If you suspect a thermostat issue, one of our professionals can assess its placement and recalibrate it to remedy the problem promptly.
Ducting Issues
If you rely on a ducted heat pump or central air conditioning system, your insufficient cooling problem may be the result of an internal issue with your ductwork. When your ducting is restricted due to excessive debris buildup, it can prevent your treated air from reaching the various rooms in your home. Additionally, if your ducting has any significant leaks, your cold air could escape into the wall or floor cavity. One of our technicians can do a thorough inspection of your ductwork to determine if resealing or cleaning is necessary.
Blocked Condenser Unit
One important part of your home air conditioning system is your outdoor condenser unit. This unit features an internal compressor that pumps the hot refrigerant outdoors, allowing the blower fan inside the unit to disperse the heat into the surrounding air. When leaves, shrubbery, and other items are against the outside of your condenser unit, they can restrict its airflow. This decreases its operating performance and can lead to insufficient cooling. You can easily fix this issue by trimming back any shrubbery and removing any items within a three-foot radius of your condenser unit.
Aging Unit
If the cooling problem with your air conditioner has been developing over the last few months, it’s a key indication that your system may simply be nearing the end of its usable lifespan. Most central air conditioners last 15 to 20 years, while ductless mini-splits and heat pumps typically last 10 to 15 years. As these systems age, their operating efficiency will starkly decrease. Upgrading to a new unit can be the most effective way to address this inadequate cooling issue.
Trustworthy AC Repair Service
Morehart Air Conditioning & Heating provides reliable AC repair services to the Peoria, AZ community. We can also help with all your cooling system maintenance, new installation, and repair needs. Just call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our certified technicians.
