High outdoor temperatures shouldn’t mean high indoor temperatures. When your AC can’t keep up with the heat, there are only a few possible reasons:
- Your air conditioner is too small for the space
- There’s too much heat coming from surrounding appliances
- You need air conditioner repair
The first issue should never happen, as installers must match AC units with a home’s square footage. As for the second issue, you might think your AC is struggling when the reality is that other heat-producing appliances (stove, iron, TV, etc.) are fighting with the AC and heating up the room.
If you’ve ruled out the first two causes, the likely source of your struggling AC is a broken or worn part or a maintenance issue. Here are some common reasons you’ll need to call for air conditioning repair.
The Condenser Stopped Working
Your air conditioner’s condenser is responsible for transferring heat from the inside of your home to the outside of your home. Without it, there is no cooling effect. The condenser can stop running due to faulty wiring, burned-out capacitors, or a broken fan motor.
The condenser itself can also simply be worn out or failing. Since these parts can be quite expensive, repairing air conditioning units with faulty condensers is less desirable than simply replacing the entire unit.
The Air Filter Is Clogged
While a broken condenser is an expensive fix, replacing the air filter is the easiest DIY AC repair a homeowner can take care of. When the filter clogs, it will restrict airflow and cause the AC to stop circulating cold air. Inspect the filter to see if it’s dirty. If it is, replace it and check if that fixed the problem. In general, filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days.
Frozen Evaporator Coil or Dirt on Condenser Coil
Both the evaporator and the condenser are essential for transferring heat away from your home. If the evaporator coil becomes frozen, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. When dirt surrounds the condenser coil, it acts like an insulator, trapping heat inside the system. Either issue will cause the unit to run endlessly as it tries to cool down the home to no avail.
The Condensate Pump Is Failing
The condensate pump drains condensation from the air conditioner. Since it runs during the heating and cooling cycles of HVAC units, it tends to wear out more quickly than other parts. When it does fail, you’ll notice water pooling up around the AC unit.
The Thermostat Won’t Communicate
The job of the thermostat is to tell the AC unit how much cooling you want. When the thermostat no longer talks with the rest of your HVAC system, you can’t control the temperature. While the issue may be your settings (which is something smart thermostats can fix), if the thermostat is genuinely cut off or malfunctioning, you’ll need AC repair immediately.
Don’t Let Your AC Struggle —Contact On The Spot Air Conditioning and Heating
When your AC system struggles to cool down your home, don’t worry. On The Spot Air Conditioning and Heating will find the cause and get the cold air flowing again! Whether it’s a broken part or a blocked duct, our expert techs will find a solution. Don’t wait for the problem to get worse; contact On The Spot Air Conditioning and Heating right away!
