Air conditioners are a lifesaver in the hot summer months, especially in Los Angeles. When your air conditioner isn’t running at its best, you can tell immediately – all it takes is one sweaty hour trying to sleep or feeling like you’re in an oven on a hot July day.
When your air conditioner struggles to cool, it’s likely to happen in the middle of summer instead of on the coldest winter days. No matter how much you turn down the thermostat, you still feel like the air isn’t cooling down your home.
If you’re wondering why your air conditioner isn’t cooling the house, here are some possible causes.
Dirty Air Filter
Your air conditioner may have an air filter in or around the indoor air handler unit. This filter is intended to catch dust, dirt, dander, and other airborne particles before they can reach the HVAC unit and the inside of your home.
This filter not only keeps your home cleaner, but it protects the components inside the system so they can operate more efficiently. When your air filter is dirty, you could have blocked airflow and lower cooling for your home.
Incorrect Thermostat Setting
If your home feels a lot hotter than normal, it’s good to check the thermostat settings and make sure the system is set to “cool.” If the thermostat is set to cool, check the temperature to make sure it hasn’t been changed to a higher temperature. If the thermostat is off, set to constant fan, or set to heat, switch it back to cooling.
Condenser Coils Are Clogged
Most central air conditioning units have an outdoor condenser unit with a large outdoor coil, which is wrapped around the outside of the unit. This coil has thin metal “fins” that are spaced tightly together. When the system is operating properly, the condenser fan brings air into the outdoor unit through the condenser coil. This pulls the heat out of your home.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is a chemical that’s necessary to the cooling process. This chemical flows through the indoor and outdoor coils, shifting from liquid to gaseous form to draw heat energy and humidity from your indoor air and transfer it outside.
If your refrigerant is leaking, it can’t perform its job effectively. Depending on how bad the leak is, this can cause your air conditioner to blow warm air or run for longer periods without cooling your home effectively. It could also lead to a damaged or failed compressor or a full breakdown of the system. If you suspect a refrigerant leak, be sure to call in a professional HVAC technician to check it out.
Air Conditioner Is the Wrong Size
Air conditioner sizes are measured in British Thermal Units, which is the amount of cooling they provide. It’s important that your unit is the right size for your home. If it’s too big, it will cycle on and off without removing the heat and humidity effectively. If it’s too small, it won’t be able to keep you cool. Determining the right size air conditioner can be tricky, however, since it considers the square footage, insulation, climate, and more. An HVAC professional can help you choose the best air conditioner size for your home.
Having an air conditioner that doesn’t blow cold air in the height of summer is no fun for anyone. If you’re struggling with your air conditioner, contact the pros at Adeedo for AC repair!