8 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Is Not Working Like It Used To

If your air conditioner isn’t working like it used to, you might be wondering why. There are a variety of reasons this could happen, and we will go over them all. But before we do that, let’s first make sure there is nothing wrong with your air conditioner. Here are eight quick things to check before determining the root of your air conditioning problems.

1) Dirty Filters

If you find that your air conditioning filters are dirty or clogged, the system can hardly keep your home cool. Every few months, you should replace those with one designed specifically for what’s needed in your unit and conditions around here. If there has been any construction going on nearby, where all these dust storms come from, causing more particles than usual getting inside your units, then chances are high you’ll need an upgraded model as well.

2) Faulty Thermostat or Improper Thermostat Settings

A thermostat is a sensor that senses the room temperature and hints at the compressor to start or stop the cooling cycle. This can happen over time as parts break down and need replacing. It’s essential to have a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician come out and check your system to make sure everything is working correctly.

Thermostat settings could also be in the wrong temperature. You should set it to a comfortable level when you’re sitting there, but not higher than that. Changing your thermostat mode can easily solve this problem. Set it to “Auto” for more efficient cooling throughout each day.

3)  Refrigerant Leak

Your air conditioner is designed to keep you cool and refreshed. It works in conjunction with a compressor that maintains the refrigerant, which needs replacement every few years or when dirty coils cause leaks through holes on the unit’s exterior skin-to prevent further damage from happening. Suppose there are signs like strange water stains on your air conditioner’s surface (yellowish residue). In that case, professional repair may be necessary to locate any leaks before adverse effects happen, such as high electricity bills due to repairs not being done quickly enough.

4) Blocked Condenser Unit

Your air conditioner is important to your home’s comfort. The compressor, which sits in the condenser unit and provides cold air for all of those inside living spaces, can become clogged or obstructed by debris if not maintained properly. This will lead you into experiencing a range from high temperatures on hottest days (over 95 degrees Fahrenheit) up to unbearable humidity levels at nighttime when it’s only 75 or so outside; there are some nasty consequences here. Calling an HVAC technician would be a wise decision because they’ll clean everything out quickly without causing further damage.

5) Dirty Cooling Coils

As your air conditioning unit operates, it will collect dust and other particles on the coils. If this happens, the cooling process won’t work as efficiently. The evaporator coils will become too dirty to function correctly, and you’ll end up with a warm house instead of cool air. The best way to keep up with things yourself would be by having an HVAC technician check out your equipment at least once every six months; they’ll know what type of maintenance was performed when last serviced and offer air duct cleaning services if needed.

6) Compressor Problems

If your air conditioner isn’t working correctly, it’s most likely because of a faulty compressor. The first thing an HVAC technician will do when diagnosing this issue is check for any leaks in refrigerant lines or on the unit itself and listen to see if you can hear strange noises coming from inside during operation, which can point towards such problems with said component(s). As frustrating as these circumstances may seem right now, don’t take unnecessary steps before getting assistance.

7) Defective AC Remote

If your remote is defective, it does not send temperature change signals to your air conditioner. You might have to check the batteries and replace them if the remote is not working. The remote is part of the overall system, so it’s important to keep this in mind when you’re checking your air conditioner for problems. If the batteries are low or dead, this will prevent proper communication between the remote and unit. If this is the case, you can easily buy a new remote or replace its batteries.

8) Old System

You should consider replacing your air conditioning system if you haven’t had the unit for more than four years and it’s not working like before. This could indicate that a new air conditioner might be in order, especially since costs to repair will likely go up compared to buying an entirely new one-piece HVAC product.

To Sum Up

There are various reasons why your air conditioner might not be cooling as well as it used to. However, most issues have simple solutions that you can implement independently without calling an HVAC professional every time the unit stops working.