When it’s a hot summer afternoon in Lancaster, nothing could be worse than realizing your air conditioner isn’t working the way it was built to. The last thing you need to do is request cooling system repair. But your HVAC is a pretty intricate system, so it can be almost impossible to find out what’s causing the issue solo.

That’s why Fairfield Heating & Cooling made this handbook to help you figure out what could be taking place with your AC. Below, you’ll discover a few prevailing explanations for why your space is feeling a little unpleasant. And while a couple of these are easy] DIY projects, you might need to call in an expert for HVAC repair.

And if you need us, Fairfield Heating & Cooling is here for you. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your house in Lancaster.

1. Your Thermostat Settings Are Off

Every family sets their thermostat a little differently to work with their distinct requirements. Even so, many families make the misstep of setting their thermostat to “On” rather than “Auto.” Because of this setting, the fan in your air conditioner will continue to blow even when you’ve reached your desired temperature.

This can appear like your AC is distributing untreated air, when really it’s just utilizing the fan more frequently than needed. Try switching this setting and see if things seem better.

2. Your Home Comfort System Needs a Good Cleaning

There are two central spaces to check for dirt or dust accumulation when your cooling system doesn’t appear to be performing well.

Before anything else, check out your system’s filter. If you don’t switch your filter often enough, accumulated dirt can make it hard for air to flow through and cool down your home. If your filter is visibly dirty or dusty, it’s definitely time to replace it. (And as a rule, you have to change it about once every three months at a minimum.)

If your filter appears clean, go to your outdoor unit. Double check there’s enough room around your air conditioner and clean up plants or litter stuck there. This section of your AC lets off the heat from inside your space. If the coils outside are blocked, you won’t be feeling cool inside.

We recommend booking professional air conditioner maintenance yearly to keep your equipment running properly and to keep your warranty valid.

3. Your System is Releasing Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the material that cools the air in your home. It moves between your internal and external units to soak up and let off heat, to help your space keep comfortable. If there is a leak along that system, you won’t be comfortable again until you schedule professional air conditioning repair.

Signals of a refrigerant leak include a lack of conditioned air, higher utility expenses, frozen evaporator coils and unusual hissing noises coming from your system.

If you are worried refrigerant could be leaking, call Fairfield Heating & Cooling for AC repair as soon as possible. Refrigerant can also be damaging to your family’s health.

4. One or More Pieces Have to Be Replaced

Your system contains a few essential pieces. These include the blower, evaporator coils, compressor, fan, condenser coils and expansion valve. If any one of these is failing, your home comfort suffers.

Our Fairfield Heating & Cooling pros are trained and experienced in HVAC. They can help you locate and mend any issue.

5. Your Air Conditioner Should Be Updated

If your AC is more than 10 years old, it may be a good time to research new air conditioner installation. As your system gets older, it unfortunately won’t work as well as it once did. And it could be making your home too warm.

If your air conditioner is more current but still isn’t cooling things off, it may be too small for your house. Air conditioners are not one-size-fits-all. A system that’s not big enough absolutely can’t cool a place the way a correctly sized air conditioner can.

Make a More Comfortable Home with Fairfield Heating & Cooling

You shouldn’t lose time this summer in an unpleasant space. When your AC isn’t operating the way it should, lean on Fairfield Heating & Cooling. We’re skilled in AC repair. Contact us at 740-331-4331 right away.