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

July 10, 2020

When it’s a hot summer morning in Erie, nothing could be worse than registering your AC isn’t functioning the way it is meant to. The last thing you need to do is call for cooling system repair. But your air conditioner is a fairly intricate system, so it can be challenging to discover what’s causing the trouble by yourself.

That’s why Patterson & Stirling Inc wrote this informational guide to help you find out what might be going on with your cooling system. Here, you’ll discover some common reasons your home is feeling a little too warm. And while a couple of these are easy DIY tasks, you might still need to call in a skilled technician for air conditioner repair.

And if you need us, Patterson & Stirling Inc is ready to assist. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your home in Erie.

1. Your Thermostat Settings Could Be Incorrect

Every home uses their thermostat a little differently to suit their personal needs. Nevertheless, many families make the misstep of setting their device to “On” instead of “Auto.” With this setting, the fan in your air conditioner will continue to push out air even once you’ve attained your preferred temperature.

This can look like your air conditioner distributing warm air, when in reality it’s only using the fan on a more regular basis than needed. Change this setting and work out if things seem better.

2. Your Home Comfort System Needs to Be Cleaned

There are two main spaces to check for dirt or dust accrual when your AC doesn’t seem to be functioning correctly.

First, inspect your AC system’s filter. If you don’t swap out your filter on a regular basis, built-up dust can make it hard for air to flow through and cool your rooms. If your filter is obviously dirty or dusty, it’s probably time to replace it. (And as a rule, you have to switch it about once every three months at least.)

If your filter is looking good, head to your outdoor unit. Find out if there’s a reasonable amount of clearing around the unit and clean up plants or litter stuck there. This part of your system discharges the heat from inside your rooms. If the coils outside are clogged, you won’t be feeling comfortable indoors.

We suggest booking professional air conditioner maintenance yearly to keep your equipment working like it should and to keep your warranty valid.

3. Your Unit is Losing Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the material that chills the air in your home. It runs between your indoor and outside units to absorb and let out heat, to help your space get cool. If there is a leak along that path, you won’t be feeling comfortable again until you book professional air conditioning repair.

Indicators of a refrigerant leak include a decline in conditioned air, larger electric bills, frozen evaporator coils and unusual hissing noises coming from your air conditioner.

If you feel refrigerant may be leaking, call Patterson & Stirling Inc for AC repair as soon as possible. Refrigerant can also be detrimental to your family’s health.

4. One or More Parts Need to Be Replaced

Your cooling system contains a a handful of essential pieces. These include the blower, evaporator coils, compressor, fan, condenser coils and expansion valve. If one of these is not working, your home comfort is hurt.

Our Patterson & Stirling Inc experts are certified and skilled in all areas of HVAC. They can help you locate and repair any problem.

5. Your AC Needs to Be Updated

If your equipment is more than 10 years old, it could likely be time to think about new air conditioner installation. As your system puts on the years, it simply won’t run as well as it did in the beginning. And it could be making your place less comfortable.

If your AC is newer but still isn’t keeping you cool, it might be undersized for your space. Air conditioners are made in different sizes. An AC that’s not powerful enough just can’t help a place the way an accurately sized air conditioner can.

Make a More Comfortable House with Patterson & Stirling Inc

You shouldn’t lose time this summer in an uncomfortable house. When your air conditioner isn’t working correct, bank on Patterson & Stirling Inc. We’re professionals in AC repair. Contact us at 814-308-0416 now.