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4 Reasons Your AC Is Not Blowing Enough Cool Air
If you recently turned on your household air conditioner for the first time this season and quickly realized that it is not blowing as much cool air into your home as it used to, then you are likely wondering what the cause of this problem is.
The truth is that there are many central AC problems that can cause your HVAC system to blow less cool air into your home than it used to or blow air that is not as cool as it should be.
Read on to learn four reasons why your AC may not be blowing enough cool air into your home and the solutions to these common problems.
1. Dirty Air Filter
Many homeowners do not realize that efficient operation of their home cooling system relies on the replacement of the furnace filter on a regular basis just as efficient operation of the furnace does. For this reason, some people neglect regular furnace filter maintenance during the summer, which can lead to a reduction of cool airflow from the AC into the home.
An air filter covered in dust and other particulate matter obstructs proper airflow into the HVAC air handler. When less air enters this handler, less air is cooled and then sent into the air of the home.
Ideally, you should inspect your HVAC filter once a month during all seasons of the year and change it when it begins to appear dirty.
2. Refrigerant Leak
A potential cause of an air conditioner that begins to blow air into the home that is much less cool than it used to be an AC refrigerant leak. The refrigerant in your air conditioner absorbs heat in the air to cool the air off. When your air conditioner contains less refrigerant than it should due to a refrigerant leak, it can begin to cool the air in your home much less efficiently.
A few additional signs that your air conditioner may be leaking refrigerant include an AC that makes a hissing noise when it is running, ice on the exterior of the AC unit, and an AC that emits an unusual chemical smell.
If you suspect your AC may be leaking refrigerant, contact an HVAC expert who may be able to repair the leak and replace the refrigerant that was lost through the leak.
3. Duct Leaks
Your HVAC ducts are made of many pipe sections that are joined together with special sealants. Over time, these seals can deteriorate or loosen and cool air can begin to leak out of them.
Both your furnace and your air conditioner send heated and cooled air into your home ductwork, where this air is then distributed into home heating and cooling vents. When one or more ducts begin to leak cooled air into the airspaces in your walls, floors, and ceilings, less cool air enters the rooms of your home.
To fix the loss of cooled air caused by duct leaks, have an HVAC expert examine your ducts and fix any leaks that they find.
4. Dirty AC Coils
Most household air conditioners are equipped with two types of coils: evaporator coils and condenser coils. Both sets of coils must be kept relatively clean and free from dust and dirt buildup for efficient AC operation. When these coils become dirty, your air conditioner can begin to send less cool air into your home.
To keep your AC coils and all other AC components clean and working as efficiently as possible, have an HVAC expert clean your air conditioner and perform other maintenance tasks at least once a year.
During this routine maintenance service, they will clean all AC coils, measure airflow through the evaporator coil, check for refrigerant leaks, and clean and inspect many additional AC components to help keep your air conditioner working as efficiently as possible.
