Quickly troubleshooting your cooling system while the heat is rising will be important in keeping your home free of humidity and saving money from a lack of energy efficiency. Now is the right time to have a mid-season check-up to ensure that these issues don’t happen at an inconvenient time. However, when they do happen, O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning is here to lend you a helping hand.
It’s tough when your air conditioner starts to act differently than was intended. There are several reasons why your cooling system is no longer producing cold air. In addition, for each of those reasons, there could be more serious issues of which the warmer air is just a side effect. Here are the main reasons that your AC isn’t cooling your home.
Interfering Heat Sources
While most cases of your air conditioner not being able to produce cool air require maintenance, there is always the possibility that the solution is simple. First, take the time to observe the electrical appliances around your air conditioner that are possible sources of heat too close to your thermostat. Devices like TVs and lamps can trigger the thermostat to behave unusually.
If you have windows near your AC, the sun could also shine directly down on the unit, causing issues. Try closing the blinds when you cool your home during the day. If problems persist after you have accounted for all of the nearby heat sources, then call a professional to do a check-up on your system.
Faulty Thermostat
A faulty thermostat could misread the temperature of the room as lower than it actually is. As a result, when you set the room temperature to cool your home, the air that comes out isn’t doing the job. Not only can this be uncomfortable for you, but it can also waste energy.
If you believe this is the issue, try eliminating the possibility that your thermostat doesn’t require an easy fix. Try replacing the batteries to see if that fixes the problem. Also, try performing a hard reset by removing the device from its power source, waiting a few moments, and then returning it. Finally, check to see if you simply forgot to adjust the settings correctly. If none of these fixes work, contact a technician to assist you with this problem.
Leaks
Because your refrigerant is responsible for cooling your system, low refrigerant levels may be the cause of your issue. This scenario becomes more likely the older your system is. Low refrigerant levels are a problem that could have been created in the installation phase, but it’s also more likely you have a leak.
Little critters can also crawl around your ducts and damage them. Insect and rodent damage could allow air to escape through those passages, making it harder for your system to cool your home. The escaping air is also wasting energy, so if you notice an increase in your energy bill, you know that a leak is even more of a possibility.
Dirty Filters
The filters in your system have the responsibility of catching particles that would otherwise circulate through your home. When these filters become full, they become clogged and less useful. When the air becomes restricted trying to pass through the filter, it could affect your home’s cooling. Cleaning and replacing these filters are the key to fixing this issue.
If you go too long without cleaning your filters, it will inevitably reduce the energy efficiency of your system. To prevent dust, pollen, and dirt from ruining your comfortable home, you should clean your filters regularly and replace them every three months. For pet owners, the replacements should come more frequently.
No Maintenance
Ensuring that your air conditioner continues to work as it should, regular maintenance is important. If you have not had a tune-up in a while, then you’ve missed out on your opportunity to have this and other issues avoided. When an expert regularly inspects your air conditioning system, you eliminate the minor issues that eventually turn into larger ones.
Trusted Specialists in Drexel Hill
O'Brien Heating & Air Conditioning has serviced the community of Drexel Hill, PA, and the surrounding areas for over 60 years. Above all, we value your whole-home comfort. That means we promise to provide the highest quality heat and cooling services available. We also provide indoor air quality and water heater services. If you have had trouble with your air conditioner or need more information about our services, call us today. We are happy to assist you in all your home comfort needs.
