Tips to troubleshoot your air conditioner cooling woes.
When the temperatures of summer hit the 90’s we all run to the thermostat to flip on the air conditioner. So what do we do when the air conditioner runs for a while but the temperature inside is still hot enough to fry an egg? No, skinny dipping in your neighbor’s pool is probably not an option. But there are a few things you can check right now that may fix the problem. If none of them work, you may need to schedule a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician to diagnose the problem.
Check the Thermostat Settings
Even though you may have checked the thermostat to make sure it’s on to the correct settings, check again. Make sure the fan setting is set to “auto” not “on”, which will cause you’re A/C to blow air no matter what setting it is on, even if it’s not being cooled. Additionally, check to make sure you’ve set the temperature setting at least 5 degrees below the room temperature. Set the thermostat to “auto” to ensure that your A/C only blows cold air.
Check the Air Filter
Check the return vent located somewhere around your furnace unit and check the air filter. Is it dirty and congested with dust and other particles? If the air coming out of the vents is weak and not very cool, it could be the air filter is dirty and it will need to be changed. A dirty air filter blocks airflow to the return vent which in turn restricts cool air from blowing into your home.
Keep The Area Outside your Unit Clean
Keeping your Air Conditioner unit outside clean and free from obstruction is as important as keeping the inside of your home clean and free of debris. So, if you have never cleaned the outdoor air conditioning unit then you may have found your problem. If the outside unit is covered in dirt, cobwebs, dust or grass, clean it. Also, if there are tree branches, leaves, or bushes, you must trim the foliage back to give the outside unit more breathing room. If the outside fan is not working properly or at all, you will probably need to contact an HVAC professional to come and fix it. Otherwise, the outside air conditioning unit can’t cool down the refrigerant to cool your home’s air.
If none of the above suggestions helped, your Air Conditioner unit could be low on refrigerant. However, if this is caused by a leak, you will need a professional to diagnose and fix this. An HVAC professional can check for things like low or no refrigerant, a malfunctioning condenser fan, a malfunctioning compressor, and any other components.
If you need help with any of the above recommendations, ask our experts for help. MM Comfort experts can help you with repairs and servicing of your current HVAC system or help you choose the best heating and cooling options for your home, no matter how big or small it may be. Call us at 425-533-9058, or use our online contact form to arrange for a free heating and cooling consultation.
