Each year as temperatures start to rise I hear common concerns from customers worried that their air conditioner is not cooling properly. After over 15 years of experience, here are the top four tips I have found to be helpful and they are also recommended by energy.gov:
Dirty Air Filter - Check the air filter in your home every 30 days and if it is not dirty still replace it every three months. Dirty or clogged air filters can reduce the amount of air flow your air conditioning system receives and can cause cooling challenges. During warmer months it's like your system is running a marathon. You don't want it trying to run that marathon and only breathing from a straw, reduced air flow.
Thermostat problems - Make sure your thermostat is set properly to the cooling mode and not in the heating mode only. Some thermostats have an AUTO feature so you can set cooling and heating temperatures, but check to make sure your thermostat is properly set. Now is also a good time to replace the batteries in your thermostat.
Refrigerant - Some customers request that we add refrigerant to their system because they think it should get "filled up" every year. Your heating and air conditioning unit is a closed system and should not need refrigerant every year. I relate this to your body, you shouldn't need to receive blood every year because you are low. You are a closed system as well. If your AC system is leaking refrigerant, the leak needs to be found, repaired, and the system recharged with the proper amount of refrigerant. If the system is low, it will not cool properly. Call a trusted and qualified contractor to repair the problem.
Drainage problems - Your AC system, regardless of location, needs proper drainage to work. Air conditioning involves the removal of moisture and humidity from your home. As this happens, water is by product, and needs a place to go. Many homeowners don't want it under their house or in their house. During a routine maintenance check, the drainage system should be checked, so the water is removed properly from your home.
Your friend in comfort and energy savings,
Derek Cole
*Information from energy.gov was used in this report.