Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling Your Home

Air Conditioner Not Cooling Your Home

On those hot summer days, coming home to a nice, cool house can be like walking from the desert into an oasis.

It relieves and calms you.

However, you don’t feel quite as relieved if you realize that your air conditioner is not cooling your home to the desired temperature.

There can be a few explanations of why your air conditioner is not cooling your house. 

Location

The location of your thermostat is essential and can have a significant impact on how efficiently your HVAC system works.

If it’s in a room that gets more sunlight or is not well insulated in other rooms, it may take longer to cool than rooms that are more shaded or have fewer windows.

The temperature reading where the thermostat is at doesn’t necessarily reflect that of other rooms in the house.

The best location for thermostats is away from doors, vents, appliances, and the kitchen.

Place your thermostats near rooms where temperature matters the most, such as the den, family room or bedrooms.

On analog thermostats, a temperature within 3 degrees above or below of the setting is usually accurate.

Digital thermostats, as you may guess, are more precise.

To stay comfortable and save money this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78F when you are at home. 

Dirty Coils And Blocked Vents

Significant temperature differences from room to room in your house could mean that air is not flowing correctly.

Check to make sure that the vents are opened or closed, as desired, and not blocked by furniture, rugs or other objects.

Most often, however, if the cooling system isn’t reaching the setting on your thermostat, the problem may be with the system itself or with the ductwork in your house.

A dirty air conditioner coil can harm both your system’s ability to cool the house and your electric bill.

Throughout the year, leaves, dirt, spores, and debris can accumulate in your system’s coils.

A professional cleaning every year, along with a monthly filter change, will go a long way toward keeping your HVAC system in good working order.

Thermostat Setting Is Not The Problem

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that if it seems your air conditioner is not cooling appropriately, turning down your thermostat will not help nor will turning up your heat, if you are trying to warm your house.

Both your furnace and your air conditioner generate the same amount of hot or cold air, no matter where you set the thermostat.

A lower setting means that the air conditioner will run longer to generate a higher volume of cold air to replace the warmer air in your house, until the air in the room where the thermostat reaches the temperature that you’ve programmed.

If your air conditioner is not cooling your home like you think it should, contact a professional like the HVAC pros at First String Heating.

They can make sure your thermostat is properly installed and programmed, check your ductwork, and examine your A/C unit for any blockage or problems.

In the hot summers, your home should be an oasis; call First String Heating when it seems more like a desert.

Parker air conditioning service by First String Heating

If you have any questions about an air conditioner tune-up, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact us or call 303-250-4422.