Why Is Your Residential Air Conditioner Not Cooling Well Enough?

Nothing ruins a relaxing summer afternoon more than an air conditioner that won't blow sufficient cool air. In most cases, a loss of cooling ability in air-conditioning systems is associated with internal factors, such as refrigerant leaks, blocked air filters, dirty air conditioner coils, obstructed outdoor units, and broken compressors. But there are many other factors that can easily go unnoticed.

Continue reading to learn about two reasons why your air conditioner may struggle to keep up with your residential cooling demand.

Leaky Air Ducts

If you live in an older house with HVAC ductwork already installed, you probably rely on a ducted air conditioner to keep your home cool during the hot months of the year. Also referred to simply as air ducts, the HVAC ductwork is what carries the cool, conditioned air from your AC system to the air supply registers located throughout your home.

While the air ducts are meant to remain sealed and airtight, they can develop leaks over time. This will cause the cool, air to escape before they reach the air supply registers located on your interior walls. As a result, your air conditioner will produce a lower cooling output while wasting precious energy. 

Air duct leaks can occur due to normal wear and tear, damage by rodents, and several other factors. If these leaks are making your home hotter while increasing your home cooling bills, you'll need to get them sealed to prevent further loss of cooling output.

Incorrectly Set Thermostat

Your home's air conditioner is connected to a thermostat that helps you set the temperature you want for your home's indoor comfort. When this temperature is reached, the AC unit stops running and only turns back on when the temperature rises above the desired level.

If your thermostat is set above your desired room temperature for summer, it won't cool your home well enough. To fix the issue, you'll simply need to set it lower until it reads the temperature level you want for your summer days.

If your cooling system isn't keeping you as cool as you like because its thermostat is incorrectly calibrated, the problem can easily be solved by recalibrating the thermostat and then resetting it.

Experiencing air-conditioning system problems during the cooling season is a real bummer. That's why you should get residential AC repair at the first signs of a problem. If you're not getting adequate cooling performance from your AC system, don't hesitate to seek out a residential HVAC contractor for an accurate diagnosis and proper repair of your cooling system.


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