When it’s a hot summer morning in Woodbridge, nothing is worse than registering your home comfort system isn’t performing the way it should. The last thing you need to do is request AC help. But your HVAC is a quite complicated system, so it can be almost impossible to find out what’s triggering the problem without training.
That’s why Fire & Ice HVAC wrote this handbook to help you understand what might be happening with your home comfort system. Here, you’ll discover a few common explanations for why your house is feeling uncomfortable. And though a couple of these are straightforward] DIY tasks, you might still need to turn to a pro for HVAC repair.
And if you need us, Fire & Ice HVAC is prepared to take care of your home. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your house in Woodbridge.
1. Your Thermostat Settings Are Wrong
Everyone adjusts their thermostat a touch differently to match their individual requirements. However, a lot of homeowners make the error of setting their device to “On” rather than “Auto.” With this setting, the fan in your system will continue to blow even when you’ve reached your set temperature.
This can appear like your ducts are distributing warm air, when really it’s simply utilizing the fan more often than required. Try switching this setting and work out if things change.
2. Your AC Needs to Be Cleaned
There are two primary places to investigate for dirt or dust buildup when your AC doesn’t seem to be performing as it should.
Before anything else, check out your HVAC filter. If you don’t swap out your filter routinely, built-up dust can make it more difficult for air to pass through and lower the temperature your house. If your filter is obviously dirty or dusty, it’s probably time for a change. (And for best operation, you should switch it about once every three months at a minimum.)
If your filter seems good, go to your outside unit. Make sure there’s a reasonable amount of space around it and clean up plants or debris stuck there. This section of your system releases the heat from within your house. If the coils outside are congested, you won’t be feeling comfortable indoors.
We recommend setting professional air conditioner maintenance every year to keep your unit operating smoothly and to keep your warranty valid.
3. Your System is Leaking Refrigerant
Refrigerant is the chemical that cools the air in your home. It moves between your indoor and external system pieces to grab and discharge heat, to help your space stay cool. If there is an opening along that system, you won’t be cool again until you set professional air conditioning repair.
Signals of a refrigerant leak include a decline in conditioned air, higher utility charges, frozen evaporator coils and unusual hissing noises originating from your system.
If you think refrigerant might be leaking, call Fire & Ice HVAC for HVAC 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 includes a couple crucial parts. These include the blower, evaporator coils, compressor, fan, condenser coils and expansion valve. If one part is failing, your home comfort will suffer.
Our Fire & Ice HVAC experts are trained and skilled in all areas of HVAC. They can help you locate and repair any issue.
5. Your Air Conditioner Should Be Upgraded
If your system is older than 10 years old, it is probably a good time to look into new air conditioner installation. As your system ages, it unfortunately won’t run as well as it once did. And it could be making your home less comfortable.
If your HVAC unit is more current but still isn’t properly cooling your home, it might be too small for your home. Air conditioners are not one-size-fits-all. An AC that’s undersized absolutely can’t help a place the way a properly sized air conditioner can.
Find a More Comfortable Space with Fire & Ice HVAC
You shouldn’t lose time this summer in an uncomfortable home. When your cooling system isn’t operating the way it should, lean on Fire & Ice HVAC. We’re skilled in air conditioner repair. Contact us at 703-595-4157 today.