When you turn on your air conditioner, you expect it to cool off your home within a reasonable time. However, AC taking too long to cool a house is frustrating and can make you uncomfortable. If it’s not exceptionally hot outside, but the AC unit doesn’t produce cool air quickly, the system could be experiencing one or more problems.
Here, the team at Eastern Shore Heating & Cooling, discusses what could cause an AC to take a long time to cool your home, what you should do about it, and when it’s time to schedule professional HVAC repair services.
1. Leaky Ducts
Central air conditioners use ductwork to transport air to different parts of the home. However, the ducts have multiple joints and seams that tend to deteriorate over time and form gaps or tears. Unfortunately, air seeps from those holes, reducing the air volume each room receives.
Duct leaks will cause an efficient AC unit to drop its performance and overwork to compensate for the air loss. An overworked cooling system is more likely to break down prematurely.
Rooms closest to the leaky duct will be noticeably warmer than others. You could seal visible gaps in your ductwork with mastic or foil-backed tape. However, you might need professional assistance. Ductwork can leak behind walls, so it’s best to schedule a duct inspection.
2. Dirty Air Filter
One of the quickest ways to improve chilled airflow in your home is to change your air filter. If the AC is taking too long to cool a house, check the air filter first. If it’s dirty, change it.
Filters can make it hard for air conditioners to cool a property because they quickly get dirty and clogged by dirt, dust, and other debris. The filters trap airborne debris but can restrict airflow if they become too full. As a result, the air conditioner will work harder and longer to reach the ideal indoor temperature.
3. Refrigerant Leak
Central air conditioners have indoor and outdoor units with a set of refrigerant lines. Refrigerant is a chemical that changes from gas to a high-pressure liquid. It absorbs the indoor and outdoor units’ warmth by drawing heat from the air that passes over the evaporator and condenser coils containing the chemical.
Refrigerant runs on a circulatory system and should never need replacement. However, a leak from the refrigerant lines or coils could drop the refrigerant levels, making it difficult for the AC to transfer heat effectively and cool the air.
You can likely identify a refrigerant leak because low levels cause ice to form on AC coils. The frost buildup occurs because the lines reach below-freezing temperatures without enough heat transfer. Contacting an HVAC professional to recharge the refrigerant at the first sign of frozen coils is best for solving this issue.
4. Faulty or Damaged Blower Motor
Sometimes, a central AC unit has no problem cooling air, but the property remains warm. In those cases, the problem isn’t the AC taking too long to cool the house due to the lack of chilled air production. It’s a failing component: the blower motor.
Inside the cooling system’s air handler is a blower motor responsible for circulating air through the AC and into the house. If the component is faulty or damaged, it won’t circulate much cool air, despite the air conditioner’s ability to remove heat from your home.
You can tell if the blower motor is responsible for your home’s lack of cool air if you don’t feel much air coming from the vents. The lack of airflow usually accompanies a strange screeching or grinding sound when the air conditioner runs.
5. Age
No air conditioner will last forever. Most systems last for 10 to 15 years before requiring a replacement. As the unit approaches the end of its lifespan, it will operate at a reduced capacity and may require frequent repairs that offer temporary relief.
The best solution for this issue is AC replacement. Consider getting the service when your unit approaches its tenth year, especially if the cooling system doesn’t receive regular maintenance.
Maximize Your Air Conditioner’s Performance Today
Is your AC taking too long to cool the house? At Eastern Shore Heating & Cooling, we have decades of experience and thousands of satisfied customers who rely on our trained technicians for reliable HVAC services. Our team specializes in ventilation, heating, and air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance.
If you are looking for a top-rated air conditioning contractor or want to receive a free estimate for AC services in Howell, NJ, call us at Eastern Shore Heating & Cooling at (732) 800-9416.