It’s not fun during the days of summer to discover the air conditioning system has fallen behind on its work. One can hear the AC running and the familiar sound of the compressor kicking on, yet something isn’t right. People in the house are complaining about the heat, some rooms are hotter than before, and one finds themselves pushing the thermostat lower than usual.
First, don’t lower the thermostat to counter this problem. It may make the situation worse. If one suspects the AC isn’t cooling enough, one will probably need the assistance of an HVAC company in Frederick, MD to find out why. Second is the rest of this post: the top five reasons one may have an AC that can’t keep up with the late summer heat.
One: The air conditioning system is old
One will start with one of the biggest reasons for this problem, which is also one of the most common—the air conditioner is in the final stages of its service life. The average AC can last for 10 to 15 years. If the AC is in that range or past it, this decline in cooling capacity may be the warning one needs to replace it with a new system.
Two: The air conditioner is undersized
When the company puts in a new air conditioner, they carefully measure the cooling requirements of the home
What if it is a brand new air conditioner system one had installed for summer? Then the likely cause of the problem is that an amateur put in an air conditioner that’s not big enough to cool the house. This is one of the many reasons to only rely on trained professionals for an AC installation.
When the company puts in a new air conditioner, they carefully measure the cooling requirements of the home so the AC is the right size to meet its needs. The only solution to an undersized air conditioner is a replacement.
Three: Duct leaks
The ductwork of the ventilation system may have air leaks allowing cooled air to escape into closed-off areas rather than reach the rooms. Leaks will create numerous troubles for the HVAC system, but professionals can locate them and seal them.
Four: Faulty thermostat
If the thermostat senses the home is cooler than it really is, it will shut down the air conditioning system
A thermostat reading incorrect temperatures may be a problem. If the thermostat senses the home is cooler than it really is, it will shut down the air conditioning system earlier and leave without enough cooling. Professionals can easily recalibrate or update the thermostat to address this.
Five: The air filter is clogged
The company will end with the simplest explanation of all for an underperforming air conditioner: a clogged air filter. The filter on the HVAC cabinet will collect enough dust and debris after 1–3 months to choke off airflow into the air conditioner, and this will cause a drop in cooling ability.
One only has to swap out the clogged air filter for a new one. Set a regular schedule for filter changes to avoid this problem in the future.
