In the heat of summers, there’s nothing worse than an AC that does not cool properly. The work of an AC is to provide cooling, but if it is unable to do that satisfactorily, it means that there is something wrong. Finding out the possible reasons and rectifying them is the only solution that can give you comfort. Below is a list of reasons that could result in AC not cooling enough.
Top Reasons Behind AC Not Cooling Enough
It could either be one reason or a combination of two or more reasons that could be hampering the cooling efficiency of your AC. The best-case scenario is to call an HVAC technician to figure out all that is wrong. Without much ado here are the possible causes:
1. Overlooking Annual Maintenance – Most homeowners consider the annual maintenance of the `AC a wastage of time and money. What they don’t know is that AC maintenance can help recover some of the lost efficiency, and that includes the better cooling capability and not just savings in the energy bills. So if you are one of those who often or always forgo the annual AC maintenance, you do so at your own peril. Remember, without an ac tune-up, the air conditioner’s cooling ability will deteriorate with each passing year.
2. Dirty Air Filters – AC manufacturers and HVAC technicians always stress upon the need for periodically changing the air filters. Dirty or clogged air filters restrict the flow of air to and from the AC. As a result, cool air in sufficient quantity cannot enter your home. If you want your AC to cool optimally, you should ideally change the air filters every month. If that is not possible, try to do so at least once every 3 months.
3. Inadequate Refrigerant – The refrigerant is responsible for drawing out the heat from the air passing over the evaporator coils and cooling it. Sometimes due to corrosion, the coils become rusty and develop holes or cracks. The coolant or the refrigerant leaks out of these openings, and as a result, its level in the AC drops. When the refrigerant becomes insufficient, it hampers the performance of the AC. So the cooling that it renders is not enough. The HVAC technician can help you correct the issue by plugging all the sources of leaks and topping up the refrigerant to the requisite level.
4. Defect In Thermostat – AC not cooling enough does not always mean that something is wrong with the unit. Many times the problem could be a faulty thermostat. A thermostat consists of sensors that access the ambient temperature and instruct the compressor to begin or halt the cooling cycle. When the sensors get damaged, the thermostat is unable to judge the temperature correctly and, in turn, fails to send appropriate signals to the compressor. The consequence is that your AC cools the home erratically, and you get the feeling as if it is not cooling properly.
5. Fault In Compressor – The compressor is considered to be the heart of your AC. Without it, there will be no cooling. The work of the compressor is to compress the refrigerant and circulate it through the coils. When the compressor develops a fault, the cooling cycle does not initiate. In other words, the compressor does not start, and so the AC flops in providing adequate cooling. However, there could be other reasons preventing the compressor from starting like a tripped circuit breaker or some loose connection. Therefore, it is better to call an HVAC technician to figure out the real cause.
6. Undersized Air Conditioner – Some homeowners buy an AC without paying much attention to its size. Inadvertently, many commit the grave mistake of buying a small or undersized AC. It means that the AC you bought is too small to cool your home sufficiently. Consequently, when you switch it on, cooling leaves much to be desired. Prior to purchasing a new AC, ask your HVAC contractor to access your home and advice which size air conditioner will duly meet the cooling requirements of your home.
7. Air Conditioner Is Old – An old horse can only run so far. Your AC is aging, and so its performance is dropping. No amount of care and maintenance will make it perform like a brand new one. If your AC is around a decade old, you must seriously start thinking about replacing it. Be realistic for your AC is on the last leg of its journey. If you plan your finances carefully, you can buy a new one before the old one gives out completely. Insufficient cooling is just one way for your old AC to hint that its time for a replacement.
8. AC Not Installed Properly – The installation of AC is a tricky business. It has to be done just right so that it works optimally. In the long list of things to pay attention to the most critical ones are that it should be installed on level ground and preferably away from direct sunlight. Not meeting these conditions will have a negative impact on its cooling efficiency.
Other Reasons Behind AC Not Cooling Properly
Some other reasons for the AC not cooling properly are:
1. Incorrect thermostat settings.
2. Condenser unit blocked by bushes and shrubs.
3. Dirty coils are preventing the air from coming in contact with the cooling effects of the refrigerant.
4. Fault in the air conditioner remote.
5. AC fan setting may be on “Auto” instead of “On”.
Food For Thought
The summers are going to be scorching, and at such a time, you want your home to be nice and cool. You may be able to do your bit in making sure that the air conditioner cools your home to the best of its capability. But a technician you are not. So, if at any time you feel that there is something off about the cooling call in the experts.
Aztil Air Conditioning provides HVAC services in West Palm Beach, Florida. We have a team that consists of well-trained and experienced technicians. If you are facing any problems in connection with your heating and cooling system, call us at +1-888-729-8452. We are available 24/7 so that you don’t have to suffer any more than it takes for us to reach your home.
