What To Do When Your AC Isn't Producing Cool Air

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How to Keep Your Cool When the Mercury is Rising

When the heat is rising to record-breaking levels, it can be really tough to stay cool. This summer, I found that my air conditioner had trouble keeping up with the temperatures. It wasn't that the AC wasn't working, it was just that I couldn't seem to get my house cooled down as much as I wanted. I worried that I would have to replace the whole AC system. Luckily, I have a good friend who works as an HVAC contractor. He took a look at my system and gave good news -- it didn't need to be replaced. Instead, he shared a lot of tips for helping my air conditioner work more efficiently, as well as some ideas to help supplement the AC and keep the house cooler. I'm using those tips to create this blog to share ways for all of us to keep cool on the hottest days.

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What To Do When Your AC Isn't Producing Cool Air

18 December 2020
 Categories: , Blog

Have you noticed that your air conditioner isn't producing the very cold air that it did in the past? This could be due to a variety of problems, which will make you want to call an HVAC contractor to figure it out. However, there are a couple easy things that you can check to narrow down the problem and potentially fix it on your own.

Change The Air Filter

One of the easiest things that you can check on your air conditioner when it's not working right is the air filter. That is because the air filter can actually start restricting airflow in your home if it is very dirty and has not been replaced in a long time. All of that air that is produced needs to go somewhere, and if the filter is clogged, the air is going to be trapped in the air handler with nowhere to go. Remove the filter and take a look at it. Does the filter look like it is completely covered in dust and debris? If so, then this is likely the problem and can be easily fixed.

Check The Type Of Air Filter

Did you want the HVAC system to do a better job at filtering the air, so the last time you put in an air filter it was one that was much thicker and advertised to catch even smaller particles that would otherwise pass through it? This could be having an impact on the temperature of the air, since that heavy-duty air filter can also be really restrictive. Consider putting in a regular air filter so that the air can flow through it easily, which will lessen restrictions on airflow and cause the air to be cool by the time it gets to the rooms of your home.

Check The Condensing Unit

Head outside and look at the condensing unit, since there may be some simple problems with it that you can fix. Start with making sure that the vents around the air conditioner are open without any plants or tree branches touching them. This unit needs airflow for the air conditioning to work properly, and it can also have an impact on how well the air conditioner cools. 

You should also look at the coils as well, since dirty coils can have an impact on cooling. Look through the grill so you can see the surface of the coils. If it is dirty, you'll need to clean off the coils so that the unit can work much more efficiently. If none of these steps work, contact an air conditioner repair company for assistance.