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

When it’s a searing summer day in Mission Viejo, nothing could be worse than recognizing your air conditioner isn’t operating the way it is supposed to. The last thing you need to do is schedule AC service. But your air conditioner is a fairly complex system, so it can be almost impossible to figure out what’s creating the problem without training.

That’s why 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning wrote this handbook to help you figure out what could be taking place with your AC. Here, you’ll discover a few common reasons your house is feeling a little too warm. And while a couple of these are straightforward] DIY tasks, you could need to bring in a skilled technician for AC repair.

And if you do, 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning is here for you. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your home in Mission Viejo.

1. Your Device Settings Could Be Incorrect

Every home uses their thermostat a little differently to work with their distinct needs. Yet, a number of people make the misstep of setting their thermostat to “On” rather than “Auto.” With this setting, the fan in your system will continue to push out air even when you’ve achieved your set temperature.

This can feel like your ducts are pushing out warmish air, when in reality it’s simply using the fan on a more regular basis than necessary. Trying changing this setting and find out if things seem better.

2. Your Air Conditioner Needs a Good Cleaning

There are two central spaces to look for dirt or dust buildup when your home comfort system doesn’t appear to be working well.

Firstly, take a look at your system’s filter. If you don’t swap out your filter on a regular basis, accumulated dirt can make it more labor intensive for air to flow through and cool down your space. If your filter is obviously dirty or dusty, it’s likely time to replace it. (And as a rule, you need to replace it about once every three months at a minimum.)

If your filter seems good, move to your outside unit. Find out if there’s enough clearing around the unit and clear any plants or dirt close by. This section of your system discharges the heat from within your home. If the coils outside are clogged, you won’t be comfortable inside.

We suggest booking professional air conditioner maintenance every year to keep your unit running smoothly and to keep your warranty valid.

3. Your System is Releasing Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the material that conditions the air in your home. It moves between your inside and outdoor system pieces to absorb and let off heat, to help your space remain comfortable. If there is an opening along the way, you won’t be comfortable again until you book professional air conditioning repair.

Indications of a refrigerant leak include a decrease in conditioned air, more expensive utility charges, frozen evaporator coils and strange hissing noises arising from your air conditioner.

If you suspect refrigerant may be leaking, call 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning for AC repair as soon as possible. Refrigerant can also be damaging to your family’s health.

4. One or More Parts Need to Be Replaced

Your air conditioner is made up of a couple crucial pieces. These include the blower, evaporator coils, compressor, fan, condenser coils and expansion valve. If one of these is broken, your home comfort will suffer.

Our 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning pros are well-trained and knowledged in HVAC. They can help you find and repair any issue.

5. Your System Needs to Be Upgraded

If your AC is more than 10 years old, it could likely be about time to look into new air conditioner installation. As your system gets up there in years, it sadly won’t work as well as it has in the past. And it may be making your house uncomfortable.

If your system is on the younger side but still isn’t properly cooling your home, it could be too small for your house. HVAC systems are not all the same. A system that’s not big enough absolutely can’t help a place the way a properly sized HVAC can.

Create a More Comfortable Home with 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning

You won’t have to waste time this summer in an uncomfortable home. When your AC isn’t functioning the way it should, rely on 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re skilled in air conditioner repair. Contact us at 949-204-0859 today.