Why Can’t My AC Keep Up With the Heat?

The heat during the second half of summer can be brutal in New Mexico. That’s the reason you have a central air conditioning system in your home. You always have a retreat from the outside heat waves when you go back indoors.

Well, “always” isn’t exactly accurate. Nothing can guarantee an air conditioning system won’t begin to suffer from malfunctions and wear and tear, leading to it starting to fall behind on the job. If you’re wondering why your house isn’t getting cool enough when you turn on the AC, don’t start lowering the thermostat to try to compensate! You may need professional AC repair services in Clovis, NM to restore the air conditioner. Or you may even need a new AC. Below we’ll look at why your air conditioner is struggling.

Clogged Air Filter

This is a basic problem you can solve on your own. The air filter on the HVAC cabinet isn’t there to clean your home’s air, but to protect the interior of the HVAC cabinet and the components of the air conditioner from dust, lint, and debris.

The filter doesn’t clean itself, so after a few months or less, it will become clogged up and block air from flowing into the AC. The less air enters the AC to be cooled, the less cool air in the house. Change the filter for a fresh one, and routinely change it every one to three months from then on.

Miscalibrated Thermostat

The thermostat senses indoor temperatures to regulate when the air conditioner cycles on and off. If the sensor is a few degrees off, the air conditioner will not stay on long enough to reach the temperature you actually want. (Conversely, the thermostat can make the AC stay on too long and make the house chillier.)

Short-Cycling

When an air conditioner’s compressor shuts off early before completing its full cooling cycle, it’s known as short-cycling. There are several sources for this problem, and all of them need to be fixed before the extra stress causes permanent damage to the compressor. Because the AC isn’t finishing a full cycle, the house will be left too warm.

Dirty Coils

The indoor and outdoor coils of an air conditioning system are where the system does the cooling job: moving heat from inside and releasing it outside. Any layer of dirt or grime or mold on either coil restricts the system’s ability to cool.

Over-the-hill air conditioner

The trouble may run deeper than something a repair technician can fix. The air conditioner may be approaching the end of its service life and can no longer keep up with the heat the way it once did. This happens to all ACs eventually—most systems can last around 15 years if they receive regular maintenance. If you notice a cooling reduction with an air conditioner that’s more than 15 years in service, it’s time to consider a replacement.

To find out exactly what’s causing your air conditioner’s problems this summer, call our technicians.