What’s Wrong With My Air Conditioner?

Have you ever walked into your house expecting to be greeted with a refreshing blast of cold air, only to find that it’s just as hot inside your home as it is outside? If you have kids, you’re probably wondering if they left the doors and windows open. If they didn’t, then there can only be one explanation: your air conditioner isn’t working.

It’s okay if you forgot to do your yearly air conditioner maintenance. You can try to solve the problem with our tips. However, if these DIY solutions don’t work, it’s time to schedule some professional AC services. Let’s look at some things that you can try before hiring a professional.

Routine Air Conditioner Maintenance

Ongoing air conditioner maintenance can save you money on your energy bill because it helps your system function more efficiently. If you reduce its work burden, your machine might even survive a few extra summers.

A dirty unit won’t pull in as much air as a clean unit, so your first line of defense is to give your outdoor and indoor components a good scrub. The exterior part of your air conditioner has thin fins that pull in air, so cleaning out dirt and debris will help it work efficiently.

You can start with a soft-bristled attachment on a shop vac to suck out dust and dirt. If that’s not enough, you could use a soft brush and gentle soap, then rinse with your hose. Next, clean out any twigs, leaves, and debris from around the unit. The last thing you need is to turn on your nice, clean unit and immediately fill the fins with dead leaves from last fall. Try to clear at least a foot around the perimeter of the unit.

Inside your home, check for algae and mold growth in your evaporator drain. The air that you and your family breathe will be healthier if it flows through clean ducts and pipes. You should also change the blower filter each spring. If you’ve done all of your yearly maintenance and your house is still too hot, it’s time to call for professional help.

Signs That Your Coolant is Low

AC units are closed systems that work by pushing air over coils filled with coolant. The air that flows over the coils cools down and then rushes through your duct system to spread through your home.

If your system leaks, you could have low refrigerant, which could be why your house feels too hot. Unfortunately, if your coolant is low, there’s nothing that you can do to fix it yourself.

You have to be certified by the EPA to purchase and work with refrigerants, so homeowners need to hire an HVAC professional. Even if you could get the coolant yourself, it would still be best to hire a professional. If you can’t locate the leak and fix it, you won’t be able to solve the underlying problem, and your coolant will leak out again. A professional can identify and fix your leak, then refill the refrigerant and get your system back up and running.

Your HVAC System is Poorly Installed

So, you’ve decided to upgrade your air conditioner to a new, energy-efficient model. Your installer has just left and you’re waiting for your house to cool down. You wait, and you wait, and you wait, but your house is still hot.

Maybe you begin to question your decision to buy an energy-efficient air conditioner. It’s not the appliance that’s the problem, it’s the installation that went wrong. It’s essential that you find a contractor or HVAC technician who is trustworthy and knowledgeable.

A common issue with wrong installations is that the technician didn’t seal the ductwork properly. If you have leaks in your ducts, you’ll waste a lot of energy because your cool air will be leaking out into your walls or floors rather than flowing through your vents into your rooms. A quality contractor will ensure that your entire HVAC system is installed correctly and running at its peak level.

Let Us Locate the Problem

If you’re not sure what’s broken, or if you don’t want to do the yearly maintenance yourself, schedule an appointment today. We’ll locate and solve any issues and get your AC system running its best in no time! Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. is here to help keep your home cool all summer long.