Home Cooling (2024)

FAQs

Why is my AC unit not cooling my house enough? ›

You might be low on refrigerant or have a worn-out motor or a dirty evaporator coil. Not all AC problems demonstrate themselves with loud sounds or funny odors coming from your system. Some of them simply reduce the AC's ability to run, and all you notice is less cool air in the house.

How Long Should It Take for the AC to Cool My House? Generally speaking, it should take one hour per degree to reach the temperature set on your thermostat. For an average three-bedroom home, it typically takes about three hours.

Most central air conditioners can cool a moderate-sized (3 to 4 bedroom) home by about 5 degrees every 3 hours. This means while it can take no more than a couple hours to lower the temperature to a comfortable range in the fall or autumn, it can take much longer in the summer.

You may have a blocked or clogged condenser coil. The coils may be frozen. The compressor may not be running. Your thermostat may not be operating properly.

Many factors can cause this issue, including clogged filters, refrigerant leaks and the wrong unit size. While it's possible to troubleshoot it yourself, it is best to contact an HVAC professional for your AC problems.

Some of the basics include: turn your thermostat up a couple degrees and deal with 76 to 78 degree temperatures indoors for a few days. close off unused rooms. close doors and vents.

Dirty Air Filters

Dirt, dust mites, pet dander, debris, and other buildup can get trapped in your AC filter. Once this buildup reaches a certain point, it reduces your air conditioner's efficiency. This makes the unit work harder to cool down your home, which is why it takes longer to reach the desired temperature.

Well, certain problems can prevent an air conditioner from properly cooling down your home including: A dirty air filter. A blocked condenser. A refrigerant leak.

Poor Home Insulation

Another home-based problem that can leave your house feeling hot and stuffy with the air conditioner running is insufficient insulation. Insulation is necessary for blocking indoor and outdoor air transfers regardless of the season.

If your AC isn't cooling (but is on and blowing warm air), it's best to turn it off and take the time to troubleshoot what's causing the problem. Refrigerant leaks (also called Freon leaks) can cause an air conditioner to not cool properly and can be hazardous to your health or cause refrigerant poisoning.

Is it better to run an air conditioner all day? ›

Your AC will actually run longer overall if it is left on all day instead of being shut off. If you turn it off for part of the day, it runs less and results in more energy savings for you. In almost all cases, it will save you money to shut off your AC while you are away from home.

There are a number of reasons why your air conditioner might be running but not cooling. It could be an issue with the thermostat, the compressor, or the evaporator coils. Or, it could simply be clogged with dust and debris, which is preventing it from working properly.

One possible reason your AC is not reaching the set temperature is that the thermostat could be dirty. If dirt, dust, or other debris has accumulated within the thermostat box, it can cause the wires to heat up or other issues. Thermostats are cleaned during routine HVAC maintenance to help prevent this from happening.

Clean the Thermostat

Sometimes, when the room temperature doesn't match the thermostat setting, the problem could be dirt buildup on its interior parts. A dirt coating around the inner components may create excess heat and cause the thermostat to give the wrong readings.