Efficient air conditioner operation requires good maintenance, especially during the hotter months and times of year when allergens are common. On Long Island, the climate often becomes more humid in the summer, which only adds to the need for a well-functioning cooling system. For this reason, if your air conditioner isn’t cooling your home properly, you’ll need to know why so that you can fix the issue.
There are multiple causes for an air conditioner that isn’t working at its best. These reasons can include simple dust and debris accumulation or system malfunctions. In any case, it’s essential to get things back to normal quickly. Explore some typical reasons why an air conditioner might not be cooling as well as it should and some ways to fix the issues.
1. You Have a Frozen Evaporator Coil
There are several reasons why your evaporator line freezes up during the normal operation of your cooling system. For example, air filter issues, refrigerant levels, problems with the blower fan, and a bad thermostat can all lead to freeze-ups. In any case, when your evaporator coils become too cold, they’ll struggle to cool the air that flows through your air conditioner. This makes it far less effective.
To fix the issue, you’ll need a technician who understands the underlying causes. At Cool Power LLC, our team has dealt with many frozen coils and knows how to inspect and repair any air conditioner unit that’s experiencing these problems.
2. Your Air Filters Are Dirty
This is one of the more common causes of an air conditioner that’s not cooling efficiently. The first thing you should do is check the condition of your filters. Clean them if they seem to have any dust on them or if they are clogged. It’s a good idea to do this once a month, especially when the air conditioner is being used frequently for cooling.
We also recommend changing out your filters at least every three months if they aren’t washable. This ensures that the system has an unblocked airflow during extended use. This should be more frequent if you have pets, as our fur buddies introduce dander and extra dirt into the living space. If this is the case, we suggest you change your filters at least every one to two months.
If you’re not sure when your filter needs a change, you can visually inspect it. Usually, if you hold it up to the light, you can see through the filter. If it’s completely opaque, this is a sure sign to change it.
3. Your Airflow Is Poor
Surprisingly, many people deal with weak air output because something in their home restricts airflow. Ideally, when the blowers push out air, it should move freely into the room, so you and your family can feel the cool air. However, excess clutter in the space can block or redirect the airflow. As a result, the air won’t feel as cool as it should. On hotter days, this can make it seem like your air conditioner isn’t doing its job properly.
To ensure this doesn’t happen, make sure your air conditioner’s air handler isn’t set behind any furniture or any other interruptions. Freeing up space will significantly help cooling output within your home.
4. Your Compressor Is Malfunctioning
The compressor is the component of your air conditioner that converts gas refrigerant into a liquid. Without this essential part of the process, the system won’t cool nearly as well, and the cooling cycle won’t complete. As a result, air coming out of the vents won’t be as cool, and the air conditioner will not operate at its best efficiency.
While we don’t recommend that you repair your compressor yourself, you can determine if there’s a problem with your compressor. As a rule, if you hear odd, loud noises coming from the inside of your air conditioner, there’s a good chance the compressor is malfunctioning. When you start to hear these disruptive noises, call our team immediately.
5. The Condenser Isn’t Clear
The external condenser of an HVAC system is a component that can also cause your air conditioner to cool less effectively. During the summer, leaves and detritus easily collect around the outdoor condenser. When this kind of debris is present, your AC won’t get the airflow it needs to push air into your home. You should ensure that the condenser has a clearance of about 2 feet around its entire perimeter. If you notice a collection of debris, just give the area a thorough cleaning, making sure to clear away anything you see, including any growing plants.
6. There’s a Thermostat Issue
If you’re noticing less-than-optimal cooling, your thermostat could be the issue. First, check the settings. If they aren’t as cold as you like, change them. The thermostat could also be set to fan, which means you might just be introducing more humid air into your indoor environment. This will make everything seem warmer. Just set the thermostat back to cool if this is the issue.
On the other hand, if the settings seem correctly calibrated, it could mean that the thermostat is malfunctioning. This could be the result of a lost Wi-Fi connection for your smart thermostat, a dying or dead battery, or another issue. If you’re unsure of the cause, contact Cool Power LLC so that we can diagnose and solve the problem.
7. Your Ducts Need Cleaning
Similar to how dust and debris will affect the performance of your condenser and your filters, debris can also make air harder to pass through your ducts. When your ducts are dirty, air won’t pass through them as easily. This part of your heating and cooling system is very narrow, so you’ll need to clean it occasionally to ensure optimal airflow.
Clogged and dirty ducts also cause the buildup of allergens, like mold, dust, pet dander, and pollen. These will eventually end up in the air, which decreases indoor air quality. For this reason, when your air conditioner is cooling poorly, you should consult a professional for a duct cleaning.
Have Dependable Professionals Address Your Cooling Issues
It’s essential to address air conditioner issues as soon as possible. A few maintenance and upkeep practices will keep your air conditioner from developing issues. It’s critical not to ignore the signs that your air conditioner isn’t cooling as well as it should. When the AC unit struggles to push cold air into your home, it will drive up energy costs and increase wear and tear on the unit. Our team of specialists can diagnose your problem and get your cooling system up and running again, so you can stay cool on those hot and humid days.
We pride ourselves on our professionalism at Cool Power LLC, so depend on us for all your cooling and heating needs in your Ronkonkoma home. Give us a call today, and we’ll schedule an appointment.
