Replacing Sensors on Your HVAC System

Air Conditioning System Neglected and Not Cooling Properly? Likely Reasons Your AC's Performance Is Plummeting

2 December 2019 by Olivia Morris

Air conditioners are one of those domestic appliances that work virtually non-stop to make your home interior environment cool and comfortable for everyone to stay in. Unfortunately, they don't usually get the level of maintenance attention that they require to keep running at their peak. When this happens, air conditioner problems are bound to arise more frequently than they typically would for well-maintained units. 

Declining cooling performance is one of the most common warning signs of a malfunctioning air conditioner. If you've been neglecting maintenance on your AC unit, and you notice that the air blowing out of the unit is less and less cool, then you will need to get it checked and repaired.

Below are some common problems that can cause your AC's performance to plummet.

Dirty/Clogged Air Filter

Your air conditioning system comes equipped with an air filter that performs the job of preventing dust and other airborne contaminants from entering the system. Over time, the filter gets dirty or clogged from a buildup of the contaminants. When this happens, the normal flow of air into your AC system is inhibited, thus reducing the supply of cool air.

A clogged filter can also cause the system to run harder than it typically does to attain the normal operating efficiency. 

Refrigerant Loss

The refrigerant that runs through your air conditioning system is the system's essential working fluid. It absorbs heat from the hot air inside your house and then dissipates the heat outside, allowing you to enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures on hot days.

The fluid itself isn't designed to run out in supply. Nonetheless, refrigerant loss isn't an uncommon thing. If there are leaks in your AC system, a refrigerant loss may occur. When this happens, the leaks will have to be spotted and sealed before new refrigerant can be added. 

Faulty Coils

Generally, air conditioners comprise two types of coils – an evaporator coil and a condenser coil. Found in the indoor unit of your AC system, the evaporator coil is a network of metal tubing that carries the liquid refrigerant that absorbs heat from the air within your living space. The liquid refrigerant evaporates into a gaseous state as it absorbs heat from the air. That explains where the "evaporator coil" derives its name.

The condenser coil, on the other hand, is located in the outdoor unit of your AC system. It is a network of copper tubing that is connected to a fan that helps to convert the hot gaseous refrigerant back to a liquid state as the heat gets dissipated away. 

If one or both types of coils are faulty, then they will not be effective at their job of facilitating the conversion of refrigerant from liquid to gas and back to a liquid state. That will hurt your AC equipment's cooling performance and efficiency. 

An AC repair technician can check your coils and undertake the necessary fixes if they are found to be damaged.

Routine upkeep of your AC unit helps to keep the equipment running at its best while minimising air conditioner repair issues. That explains why skipping maintenance on your air conditioning system can hurt the performance of the system over time. If your AC system's cooling performance has declined, seek out an air conditioning repair technician to help you get it running properly again.

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