Low air conditioning output is always a frustrating experience in the middle of summer, when the air outside threatens to cook any living thing that steps into it long enough. You obviously want the most out of your air conditioner during this time, so it’s a good idea to call for repairs if it’s not generating as much output as it should be. While you’re waiting for your technician to arrive, though, why not read on and find out why your system might not be cooling as well as it should be.
Clogged Air Filter
The air filter in your air conditioner needs to be changed on a regular basis in order to prevent from becoming clogged. If the filter is allowed to clog, it will block most of the air in the ducts from making it into the air conditioner. This will cause the system to lose output capacity, but it will also open it up to all kinds of problems like the evaporator coil icing over. Make sure this doesn’t happen by changing your filter every few months during the summer.
Refrigerant Leaks
Your air conditioner relies entirely on the refrigerant supply inside it to cool the house. The system uses the same charge of refrigerant throughout its lifespan, recycling it back and forth to absorb heat from inside the home and release it outside. A refrigerant leak threatens this by robbing the system of the fluid it needs. Lower refrigerant levels will cause the output capacity of the air conditioner to drop significantly, and eventually it will break down if the lost refrigerant isn’t replaced. Make sure you call for repairs if you notice fluid dripping from your system, as it might indicate a refrigerant leak.
Short Cycling
If your air conditioner is turning itself on and off every few minutes, instead of the longer cycles it’s supposed to be using, then it’s short cycling. Short cycling is often the result of a problem with the electrical system or the compressor, and can cause all kinds of issues over a short period of time. It prevents the system from cooling properly, but it also increases the level of wear and tear the system suffers. The longer the air conditioner is allowed to short cycle, the more problems it’s going to develop and the shorter its overall lifespan will be. If your air conditioner is short cycling, have a technician take a look at it as soon as you can.
These aren’t the only ways that your air conditioner can have its output capacity negatively affected, of course. There are all kinds of things that could harm your air conditioner efficiency during the summer. The best way to tell what exactly is going on with your own system, of course, is to schedule an appointment with your trusted HVAC technician. Internet research can only go so far.