Five Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Isn't Cooling Your House

July 10, 2020

When it’s a searing summer afternoon in Des Moines, nothing feels worse than figuring out your AC isn’t performing the way it is meant to. The last thing you want to do is request cooling system repair. But your air conditioner is a quite involved system, so it can be hard to discover what’s creating the issue solo.

That’s why Heartland Heating & Cooling wrote this handbook to help you understand what might be taking place with your home comfort system. Here, you’ll discover a couple prevailing situtations that explain why your space is feeling a little too warm. And even though some of these are simple DIY projects, you could still need to turn to a pro for cooling system repair.

And if that’s the case, Heartland Heating & Cooling is here for you. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your residence in Des Moines.

1. Your Thermostat Settings Are Off

Every person adjusts their thermostat a bit differently to suit their distinct needs. Despite that, a number of people make the mistake of setting their thermostat to “On” rather than “Auto.” With this setting, the fan in your HVAC system will continue to push out air even after you’ve gotten to your preferred temperature.

This can look like your system is distributing warm air, when in fact it’s just employing the fan more frequently than necessary. Change this setting and see if things cool off.

2. Your HVAC Needs Some Cleaning

There are two principal areas to look for dirt or dust buildup when your cooling system doesn’t appear to be working correctly.

First off, take a look at your system’s filter. If you don’t switch out your filter on a regular basis, buildup can make it more labor intensive for air to flow through and lower the temperature your home. If your filter is obviously dirty or dusty, it’s likely time to replace it. (And as a rule, you should switch it about once every three months at a minimum.)

If your filter appears good, move to your external unit. See if there’s a reasonable amount of clearing around it and clear away plants or litter stuck there. This part of your home comfort system releases the heat from inside your home. If the coils outside are closed off, you won’t be comfortable inside.

We advise scheduling professional air conditioner maintenance annually to keep your unit operating smoothly and to keep your warranty valid.

3. Your Unit is Releasing Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the substance that chills the air in your space. It goes between your inside and outside units to absorb and let out heat, to help your place get the right temperature. If there is a leak along the way, you won’t be feeling comfortable again until you book professional air conditioning repair.

Indicators of a refrigerant leak include a decrease in cooled air, higher energy bills, frozen evaporator coils and strange hissing noises coming from your HVAC.

If you are worried refrigerant may be leaking, call Heartland Heating & Cooling for HVAC repair as soon as possible. Refrigerant can also be hazardous to your family’s health.

4. One or More Pieces Have to Be Replaced

Your AC includes a a handful of important elements. These include the blower, evaporator coils, compressor, fan, condenser coils and expansion valve. If one of these is failing, your home comfort declines.

Our Heartland Heating & Cooling technicians are certified and knowledged in HVAC. They can help you diagnose and fix any problem.

5. Your Whole System Should Be Replaced

If your system is over 10 years old, it could be a good time to research new air conditioner installation. As your system gets up there in years, it simply won’t run as well as it did in the beginning. And it might be making your space less comfortable.

If your AC is more current but still isn’t keeping you cool, it may be undersized for your space. Air conditioners are not all the same. An AC that’s undersized just can’t chill a place the way an appropriately sized AC can.

Get a More Comfortable Space with Heartland Heating & Cooling

You won’t have to lose any time this summer in a hot house. When your HVAC system isn’t working correct, rely on Heartland Heating & Cooling. We’re professionals in air conditioner repair. Contact us at 515-344-3579 right away.