Why Is My House Not Getting Cool Enough?

As the summer weather starts, you may find that you’re not getting the comfort you expect in your home. You turn down the thermostat, hear the AC turn on, feel cool air coming out of the vents—but the house still feels too hot, or perhaps some parts are staying cool while others aren’t. What’s going on? Is your air conditioner shot and needs to be replaced?

It might be. Or there might be another problem affecting the HVAC system that’s limiting its power or creating an uneven spread of cooling throughout the house. Below are some of the reasons you may find that your house is too hot and stuffy this summer.

Over-the-hill air conditioner

We’ll start with the biggest potential problem: an air conditioner that’s at the end of its service life. When an air conditioner wears down it will struggle to hit the temperatures set for it. Often it will run longer to make up the difference, which only increases how soon it will break down entirely. Most ACs have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, so if your air conditioner is older than 15 and you’ve got an overly warm house, it’s probably best to get a new cooling system.

Leaking ducts

Leaks along ductwork are a pernicious problem in HVAC systems. Ductboard is especially prone to developing air leaks. The cooled air that escapes through these leaks will raise electrical bills and also lead to uneven cooling. When you notice rooms that are hotter than others, it may be due to air leaks in the ductwork. The only way to solve this problem is to call HVAC professionals. (We use the special Aeroseal process to do this job both fast and thoroughly.)

Faulty thermostat

Sometimes the trouble starts at the thermostat, which is both a control for the air conditioner and a temperature sensor. If something goes amiss with either, it can mean inferior cooling and an AC that turns on and off at the wrong time. A miscalibrated thermostat will read incorrect temperatures, resulting in the air conditioner turning off before hitting the comfort level you want. Thankfully, problems like this are simple ones for HVAC technicians to solve.

Short-Cycling

When an air conditioning system is shutting off the compressor before it completes a full cooling cycle, it is said to be short-cycling. When this happens, the AC won’t run long enough to send cooling throughout a space. It also puts extra pressure on the compressor and other components, leading to a hike in bills and an air conditioner that will wear out years early. Short-cycling can happen for a number of reasons, ranging from simple issues like a clogged air filter to major problems such as an air conditioner that was incorrectly installed. Call for HVAC professionals to learn why the AC is short cycling so it can be stopped.

To find out if you need air conditioning repair or air conditioning replacement in Groton, MA or elsewhere in the MetroWest area, speak to one of our technicians. We’ve been trusted for over 30 years.

Find the AC service to keep cool by calling on Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC.