When it’s a hot summer morning in Arlington, nothing is worse than realizing your AC isn’t operating the way it is supposed to. The last thing you want to do is schedule AC service. But your air conditioner is a quite complicated system, so it can be almost impossible to determine what’s triggering the problem without training.

That’s why Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning created this handbook to help you find out what could be taking place with your cooling system. Here, you’ll see a couple common situtations that explain why your house is feeling a little unpleasant. And even though some of these are straightforward] DIY projects, you may have to call in a skilled technician for cooling system repair.

And if you do, Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning is here for you. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your house in Arlington.

1. Your Device Settings May Be Wrong

Every home adjusts their thermostat a touch differently to match their personal requirements. Even so, many people make the error of setting their system to “On” as opposed to “Auto.” Under this setting, the fan in your air conditioner will continue to produce an air current even after you’ve achieved your preferred temperature.

This can appear like your AC is distributing warm air, when really it’s just employing the fan on a more regular basis than required. Change this setting and find out if things change.

2. Your Cooling System Needs a Good Cleaning

There are two central places to check for dirt or dust accumulation when your AC doesn’t seem to be working well.

Before anything else, examine your system’s 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 home. If your filter is obviously dirty or dusty, it’s probably time for a change. (And as a rule, you need to switch it about once every three months at the very least.)

If your filter appears clean, go to your external unit. Make sure there’s a reasonable amount of clearing around your air conditioner and clean up plants or debris close by. This part of your AC lets off the heat from within your home. If the coils outside are blocked, you won’t be feeling cool in your home.

We suggest scheduling professional air conditioner maintenance each year to keep your equipment running like it should and to keep your warranty valid.

3. Your Unit is Leaking Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the substance that chills the air in your space. It cycles between your internal and outdoor units to grab and discharge heat, to help your space stay cool. If there is an opening along the way, you won’t be feeling comfortable again until you set professional air conditioning repair.

Signs of a refrigerant leak include a decrease in cooled air, higher monthly bills, frozen evaporator coils and strange hissing noises originating from your HVAC.

If you think refrigerant might be leaking, call Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning for AC repair as soon as possible. Refrigerant can also be hazardous to your family’s health.

4. One or More Pieces Have to Be Replaced

Your system contains a a handful of essential parts. These include the blower, evaporator coils, compressor, fan, condenser coils and expansion valve. If one of these is not working as it should, your home comfort will suffer.

Our Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning technicians are well-trained and knowledged in HVAC. They can help you locate and fix any problem.

5. Your System Should Be Upgraded

If your AC is older than 10 years old, it may be about time to research new air conditioner installation. As your system gets older, it unfortunately won’t work as well as it has in the past. And it could be making your house uncomfortable.

If your HVAC unit is more current but still isn’t properly cooling your home, it could be too small for your living space. HVAC systems are not one-size-fits-all. An air conditioner that’s not big enough just can’t chill a place the way a correctly sized air conditioner can.

Make a More Comfortable Home with Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning

You can’t lose any time this summer in an uncomfortable house. When your AC isn’t functioning how it should, lean on Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re professionals in AC repair. Contact us at 360-255-5857 today.