Why Your AC Takes Too Long to Cool Your Home — Causes & Fixes
When the hot, humid weather settles into New Jersey, having a reliable air conditioning system is a must. Most modern-day systems will begin producing cold air within the first 10 to 15 minutes of operation. You’ll typically find a noticeable difference in temperature within 20 to 30 minutes under normal operating conditions. If you notice that your unit doesn’t seem to be cooling your home as it should, there could be a few different reasons why.
Understanding a Properly Functioning AC System
As a homeowner, it’s important to understand the normal operation of your air conditioning system. Your air conditioner will start blowing noticeably colder air within its first 5 to 10 minutes of operation. It then begins lowering the indoor temperature within the first 20 minutes. It will eventually reach your thermostat setting within an hour.
Smaller homes generally cool more quickly than larger houses. It’s also common for mildly warm conditions to cool off faster than heatwave conditions. If you notice that your system runs for over an hour without any meaningful improvement in your indoor air temperature, it’s a big red flag.
Be Mindful of Your Starting Temperature
One of the biggest factors that will contribute to the necessary cooling time for your air conditioning system is the starting indoor temperature. If your home is already close to your set temperature, it should cycle fairly quickly and reach your target temperature. For example, the indoor temperature may be 76 degrees and simply needs to be moved down to 72 degrees.
However, if your home has reached a temperature of 85 or even 90 degrees after a hot day without your air conditioner on, it can take a much longer time for your air conditioner to remove that heat load. Some other factors that can directly impact the starting temperature include direct sunlight through your windows, poor insulation, and heat-producing appliances, like your oven or dryer. It’s important to keep in mind that your air conditioning system is not just cooling the air, but it’s constantly fighting heat gain from these other sources.
Other Symptoms to Watch Out For
If you suspect that your air conditioner is taking longer than normal to cool your home, it likely also has some other key signs that can help you validate your suspicions. You may notice that some rooms in your home feel much warmer than others. Your indoor humidity may feel high even when your air conditioner is running. You may experience weak airflow coming from your vents. And your system may turn on and off frequently.
Check Your Air Filter
While there are several different reasons that your air conditioner may be taking longer to cool your home down than normal, the most common is a clogged air filter. As your air conditioning system runs, all the air gets forced through an internal HVAC air filter. As this filter traps unwanted airborne contaminants, it gets dirty.
Eventually, all those contaminants act more like a wall that makes it harder for your air conditioning system to force air through. It’s necessary to check your air filter every month and replace it whenever necessary. You never want to have restricted airflow throughout your air conditioning system, as it will cause it to overwork and cool your home unevenly.
Low Refrigerant
Another common cause of an inefficient air conditioning system is low refrigerant. Refrigerant is the substance inside your air conditioner that absorbs heat from your indoor air. If this refrigerant level gets too low due to a leak in your system, it can restrict the ability of your system to remove heat from the air. If you suspect that you have low refrigerant, you will need to contact our HVAC company to locate the source of the leak, repair it, and recharge your refrigerant level.
Dirty Coils
Your air conditioning system has an evaporator coil inside and a condenser coil outside. As air passes over the evaporator coil, heat transfers through the metal coil into the refrigerant inside. At the outdoor condenser unit, air travels over the condenser coil and pulls heat from the refrigerant inside to the outdoor air.
If the coil’s surface is dirty, it can restrict the flow of heat in or out. This causes system inefficiency and longer run times. It’s important to have a professional perform annual maintenance service on your air conditioning system so that they can clean these coils.
Reliable AC Repair Service
JAMCO Heating & Air Conditioning offers reliable AC repair services for Deptford, NJ, and the surrounding areas. We can also assist with all your air conditioner installation, replacement, and maintenance services needs. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly AC technicians.
