Category: Tips and Tricks

Since we now know that global warming is occurring, you will likely spend most of your time using your air conditioner. Because of this, you are quick to detect if it seems as though your air conditioner is no longer functioning efficiently. Even if you reduce the temperature on the thermostat, turn off the oven, and install blackout curtains, there will be moments when the temperature in your home is still too high for comfort.

Do not continue to turn up the air conditioning and waste additional electricity if you are experiencing hot and humid conditions inside. Consider your heating and cooling system, as well as the level of insulation in your property, to determine the cause of the excessive heat in your home. Continue reading to learn about eight typical issues that might lead to an excessively warm environment inside your house.

If you’ve already tried the simple inspection and DIY repair and maintenance for AC unit that fails to cool down your house, go on and continue reading but if not, try checking it first. Maybe you might not need to spend money.

Signs you need to call an HVAC technician for help with your air conditioner

Air conditioners are intricate machines that demand an in-depth understanding of not only the electrical components but also the refrigerants in order to operate properly. A certified HVAC technician is aware of the proper and safe procedures to follow when working on either a conventional or energy-efficient kind of air conditioner.

If you observe any of the following difficulties with your air conditioner, you should have it inspected by a trained professional:

It is necessary for you to inspect the unit’s refrigerant.

When monitoring the amount of refrigerant in your unit, you should always call a professional. Eye injury, frostbite, respiratory difficulties, and skin irritation can result from unintentional contact with refrigerants.

You have to take a reading of the airflow that goes through your evaporator coil.

To get an accurate reading of the airflow through the evaporator coil, you need specialized equipment and training, both of which are things that only experts have access to.

Your air conditioning system or unit contains electrical components that need to be inspected

The electrical control sequence and electrical terminals of your air conditioning equipment can be accurately inspected by professionals. In addition, they can clean the area, fix any loose connections, and apply non conductive coatings in order to boost performance.

It appears that you are having trouble with your thermostat. Technicians who work with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are able to verify that the readings from the thermostat are accurate and are trained to make any necessary modifications.

When your central air conditioning unit is not producing cool air, it can make for a very long summer. If you keep these suggestions in mind, though, you will know how to go and where to begin the next time you run into a problem with your system. Having the ability to fix an air conditioner that is not cooling will help you beat the heat while also saving you money on your energy expenditures and extending the life of your A/C unit.

The Air Conditioner Requires Repairs

When technicians inspect your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, they search for the myriad of common problems that might arise with these systems over time. One of the best methods to ensure that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is operating at its full potential is to do preventative maintenance. It’s possible that your refrigerator doesn’t have enough refrigerant, that the motor is worn out, or that the evaporator coil is unclean. It’s not always easy to tell when there’s a problem with your air conditioner simply by listening for strange noises or smelling strange aromas emanating from it. Some of them merely hinder the capacity of the air conditioner to function, which results in less cold air being produced within the home.

When you hire professionals to work on your HVAC system, they will not only fix any problems that are already present, but they will also detect any places that have the potential to develop difficulties in the future, and they will replace components before they totally wear out. A qualified HVAC technician will also let you know if you need to keep a check on anything, what to watch and listen for, and when to call them back if anything changes or gets worse. In addition, they will tell you what to watch and listen for.

Your Air Conditioner Is the Incorrect Size

It makes perfect sense that you would feel uncomfortable in a warm environment if the cooling capacity of your air conditioner was insufficient for the space it needed to cool. If you turn up the temperature on the air conditioner but are still uncomfortable, it’s possible that the unit is not powerful enough to adequately chill the space of your home.

On the other hand, an air conditioner that is overly huge will make you uncomfortable. A larger air conditioner does not need to operate for very long in order to cool a place that is too small, therefore it turns off fairly quickly. This indicates that it is unable to adequately dehumidify the air, which is necessary for maintaining a level of humidity that is between 30 and 50 percent in order to feel cool and comfortable. If the air conditioner is too powerful and shuts off too abruptly, the resulting air will be frosty and humid, leaving your skin with a clammy sensation. You can also discover that the temperature inside your house fluctuates from room to room. After the air conditioner has been running, you will feel excessively chilly, but you will start to warm up just before it turns back on.

You Need to Upgrade Your House’s Insulation.

If your home’s building envelope has a lot of leaks in it, it won’t matter how well your air conditioner works to keep the house cool or remove humidity from the air if it can’t keep the outside air out. Even if your home has an air conditioner of the appropriate size, with flawless ductwork, and an optimally calibrated thermostat, it won’t be able to maintain a comfortable temperature inside if all of the air is leaking out via cracks in the doors and around the windows.

Some issues with home insulation can be identified by the homeowner themselves. Finding air leaks around doors and windows can be done by yourself with a reasonable amount of ease. In addition, there is a possibility that there are leaks in the vicinity of your plumbing as well as your electrical outlets. It’s also possible that the insulation in the walls of your attic, basement, or crawl space isn’t up to par; this would make the problem even more difficult to solve. You should begin by correcting obvious envelope problems yourself with some caulk and patience, but if you don’t experience any increase in the ability of your AC, you probably need the expertise of a professional to discover and solve the problem areas.

It Is Necessary to Replace an Outdated System

If nothing you try seems to help cool down your living area, it’s possible that it’s time for a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Systems that are accessible now are significantly more energy-efficient than those that were available in the past. This is true whether you are fighting with ductwork that you acquired when you bought the property or you are suffering through a hot summer with a window air conditioner. Even a well-maintained old system will eventually stop working properly, and if it hasn’t been maintained well, then you’re probably wasting a lot of energy running an air conditioner that isn’t doing much to cool down your house. If the system hasn’t been maintained well, then it will eventually stop working properly.

Keep an eye out for the EnergyStar label, and make it a point to have a qualified technician measure and put in the new system. The proper sizing and installation of your air conditioner are essential elements in achieving the desired level of interior comfort.

Conclusion

There are simple maintenance that every one can do for their air conditioning system but if it will already put you at risk, you better call a qualified technician. The things that a layman can see is different from a professional so it is better to consult them.

The majority of people rely on their air conditioning system to provide a pleasant and comfortable environment inside their homes when the temperature begins to rise. When your air conditioner suddenly begins to malfunction, it is highly likely that you will become aware of the issue at once. In the same vein, you’ll want to find a solution to the problem as soon as possible.

 There are several everyday problems that might force your air conditioner to work harder than it should. In addition to this, air conditioning machines that operate for longer periods of time typically use more energy. The good news is that problems with air conditioners are typically simple to diagnose and quick to fix, and you might not even need to call for professionals.

 There are a variety of reasons why your central air conditioner can stop cooling your property, or it might stop operating completely. Some of these reasons include unclean filters, bad installation, or an inappropriately sized unit. Here are some of the more frequent issues that you’re likely to run into with your air conditioner, along with some recommendations on how to have them addressed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Why is my air conditioner not keeping my house cool?

1. Air Conditioner is ON but not cooling the house

If your central air conditioning unit is operating but not blowing cold air, there are a few things you will want to check, the first of which is the thermostat. To begin, check that you have it set to the temperature that you want and that the “cool” preset is selected before continuing. The next step is to inspect all of your vents to make sure they are clear of any debris and open.

 If it doesn’t work, you’ll need to take out your air conditioning filter and check it for any dust or discoloration. If the filter is dirty, you can try to clean it, but if it’s really bad, you might need to buy a new one for your system for it to work correctly. In addition to this, you need to inspect the external air conditioning unit to ensure that it is not being obstructed in any way by a tree or any other type of growth. If the issue has not been resolved to your satisfaction, you may want to seek the assistance of a qualified HVAC technician.

2. Your air conditioning is not providing enough amount of cooling to your home

Examining the vents in your home should be your first step if your air conditioner isn’t effectively cooling your entire home or isn’t cooling it adequately. All of them should be open and free of impediments such as furniture or equipment. If the issue continues, it is possible that the problem lies with a different component of your air conditioning system, such as the lines that carry refrigerant or the evaporator coil. In this particular circumstance, it is highly recommended that a qualified individual come and evaluate the problem.

There is also the possibility that your air conditioning unit is simply out of date, or that the capacity of your air conditioner is insufficient for the space that you have available. The performance of your device and the efficiency with which it uses energy can both be significantly influenced by either of these two aspects. For instance, a system that is too tiny will have to work harder and consume more energy in order to chill your entire house, while a system that is too large may cycle on and off frequently, taking additional energy as a result of the process.

3. The air conditioner won’t turn on for whatever reason

When troubleshooting an air conditioner that won’t turn on, the first thing you should check is to make sure that the thermostat is set to the appropriate temperature and that the “cool” setting is selected. If the problem persists, you should double-check that the fuse or circuit breaker that corresponds to it is turned on.

In addition to this, you should check your outside air conditioning unit for any possible issues as soon as possible. For instance, you will need to check that the device is connected in and that the switch to unplug it is activated. In addition, if you have a furnace, you need to check to see if the motor that drives the furnace’s blower is running. If you have tried all of these things, but your air conditioner is still not functioning properly, it is most likely time to call in the assistance of a professional HVAC specialist.

4. The air conditioner won’t turn off and just run continuously

When troubleshooting an air conditioner that won’t turn off, the first step is to remove and clean the filter in the unit. It is possible that you will even need to replace it, depending on the quantity of filth and debris that has accumulated on it. You will also need to check that your thermostat is still operating properly since the issue can be caused by a short in the wiring that is associated with the unit. In most cases, the best course of action is to have a professional take care of problems with the thermostat.

There’s also a chance that your central air conditioner won’t turn off because the thermostat is situated too close to things that generate heat, such as lamps, a television, or other electronic devices. Because these pieces of equipment give off additional heat, your thermostat may register a temperature that is higher than the actual temperature of your home, causing the air conditioner to run for a longer period of time than is strictly necessary.

5. The air conditioner is leaking water

Depending on the location of the water leak, the process of repairing an air conditioner that is leaking water can take a variety of different forms. For instance, if your indoor air conditioning unit is leaking, you should examine your condensate line for clogs and remove them using a vacuum if necessary. If this does not solve the problem, you may need to have a professional HVAC specialist replace your drain pan or condensate pump if you continue to have problems.

There may not be a problem with the system, even if the outdoor air conditioning unit in your home is leaking. Even if they are operating well, it is not uncommon for condenser units to drip a little bit of water when the weather is hot and muggy. In addition, running your air conditioner while the temperature outside is lower than normal can cause the system to freeze up, which can then result in water leaking out of the system when the ice melts. This is a very typical problem.

On the other hand, if you notice that your outside unit is leaking in any other way, you should probably get in touch with an expert to help you diagnose and fix the issue.

6. A/C indoor fan not working

There are a few potential possibilities that could be at play when the inside fan of a central air conditioner stops working. First, make sure that the circuit breaker or fuse for your unit is turned on, and then make sure that your air filter is clean and unobstructed in any way. If you have already done this and are still having problems, you should check the evaporator coil and the lines that carry the refrigerant to see if any ice has formed there.

If the ice melts and your indoor fan still isn’t operating, the best course of action is to get in touch with a professional because the repair can need replacing parts.

7. Outside A/C fan unit not running

It is possible that there is a problem with the external fan of your unit if your central air conditioner is not functioning properly. To get started, examine your fan to see if the blades are turning in the appropriate direction. If they aren’t, you can try to get them to work by resetting the proper fuse or circuit breaker. If this does not address the issue, the problem may be caused by the motor in your fan.

For instance, if your fan’s motor has a faulty start capacitor, it can have difficulties getting powered up. Additionally, dirt and other forms of buildup might cause your motor to get stuck and become unusable. Note: Because troubleshooting issues with your outdoor fan might be risky, it is recommended that you seek the assistance of a qualified specialist.

8. A/C Duct is leaking water

If you have air leaks in your ducts, you might lose approximately a third of the performance of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. On top of that, a significant amount of the air that is being cooled by your HVAC system is escaping through leaks. When the house is heated up, the HVAC system has to work more to bring the temperature down, and as a result, you receive less cool air through the vents than you would if the ducts were sealed.

If you have leaks in your ducts, the interior of the ducts themselves might also be a little bit dirty. The air movement is obstructed when there is debris in the ducts, which causes the HVAC system to spew dust and other particles into your home. It’s possible that this won’t alter how cool you feel as much as it will lessen your IAQ, but if your allergies suddenly go worse, you’ll definitely notice it.

9. The humidity level is too high

A high level of humidity indoors is not only uncomfortably, but it is also detrimental to the quality of the air within your home since it makes it an ideal setting for the growth of fungi and mold. Your air conditioner removes moisture from the air as it works to maintain a comfortable temperature, but there are a variety of reasons why it might not remove enough moisture. Some of the reasons why your air conditioner might not be able to adequately dehumidify your home include inadequate ventilation in the house, high levels of seasonal humidity, and dirty air filters.

It’s possible that you’ve noticed that your air conditioner operates continuously, yet the only place in the house where you feel cool is standing directly in front of one of the vents. If you feel sticky or clammy, these are good signals that you need to apply additional steps to dehumidify the space. You have a couple of options to consider, the first of which is getting a dehumidifier, and the second is upgrading your HVAC system to one that has stronger dehumidifying capabilities.

What are your options if you are unable to fix your air conditioning unit?

Keep natural air flowing into your house.

When the central air conditioning unit in your home stops producing cold air, it’s time to look into other cooling methods that can keep you comfortable until you can get the unit fixed. One quick and easy solution is to close the drapes and blinds in your home as early in the day as possible; doing so will help avoid the heat from the sun from making your home feel hotter. During the summer, keeping the doors to your bedrooms open will not only enhance circulation but will also let hot air to exit through the return grille of your home. This will assist keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Check the ceiling fans.

 It is essential to check that the blades are moving in the appropriate direction. During the summer, you may create a cooling effect for whoever is in the room by adjusting your ceiling fans so that they rotate counterclockwise. This will cause cold air to be forced down from the ceiling, where it will then circulate around the room. You can also make an investment in a fan that is efficient with energy if you want to help conserve electricity during this procedure. In either case, make sure that during the cooler months, you turn your fan so that it rotates in a clockwise direction.

Ventilate the attic

It doesn’t matter how well your attic is insulated; if it draws in a lot of hot air and doesn’t let it out, that warm air will eventually make its way into the living spaces of your home. Because proper ventilation will prevent the attic from turning into a stifling sauna in the summer, you won’t have to worry about warm air leaking out of the attic and circulating throughout the rest of the house.

Additionally, if you have air ducts that go through any portion of the attic, not only are they getting heated, but the attic as a whole is as well. Because of this, the HVAC system needs to exert more effort in order to maintain the desired temperature of the air as it circulates through the ducts. You do not need to chill the attic along with the rest of your house; all you have to do is make sure that it is ventilated, and the temperature won’t grow so high that it is unbearable to be up there.

Simple Maintenance You Can Do for Your Air Conditioner

Cleaning your air conditioner is a simple technique to maintain the optimal condition of your unit and to avoid any wear from hindering the function of the machine. If you are unclear about how to begin cleaning it, you have the option of hiring a professional or following these easy steps to clean it yourself:

Start with the air filters in your home.

When certain filters get dirty, they can be cleaned with a vacuum and some water and then reused; however, other filters have to be replaced when they get dirty. In general, you should clean or replace the filter in your air conditioner once every month or two during times of excessive usage.

Be sure to check the evaporator coil.

At a minimum of once every year, inspect the evaporator coil that is a part of your air conditioning machine for any signs of damage. Either a central air conditioner or a window air conditioner can have this modification made to it. Using a fin comb, you should make it a point to straighten out any coil fins that have become bent. You can also use a vacuum hose to clean the coil fins on your air conditioner, which will result in enhanced performance.

Examine the seals on your window.

If your window air conditioning units have any cracks or holes in the sealing around them, then cool air will be able to escape. This will cause your windows to waste electricity. In the event that you find any cracks, you have the option of requesting assistance from a trained professional or attempting to fix the air leaks on your own.

Clear up your A/C drain line.

It’s possible that debris could clog the drain line in your central air conditioning unit, leading to an accumulation of water in the system. Use a stiff wire, a plumber’s snake, or distilled vinegar to clear any clogs or obstructions from the drain channels in your home.

Look around for any debris.

Cleaning the condenser, the fan, and the compressor of a split-system air conditioning unit on a regular basis should be a part of the routine maintenance that is performed on the device. You should also prune any plant growth that is at least two feet away from the condenser in order to reduce the risk of additional clogging of your drain lines.

Conclusion

By performing routine maintenance on the air conditioner, harm can be avoided.

It is important to get into the pattern of performing periodic maintenance on your air conditioner so that you can help prevent future problems from occurring with the system. There are a lot of things that may go wrong with your air conditioning system, but the most common one is increasing labor costs. Therefore, doing routine maintenance on your air conditioner will not only save you money on potential repair costs in the future, but it can also assist in ensuring that your system operates as successfully and economically as is humanly possible.