When it’s a searing summer day in Athol, nothing is worse than registering your AC isn’t performing the way it was built to. The last thing you want to do is request AC help. But your air conditioner is a fairly complicated system, so it can be almost impossible to find out what’s causing the trouble solo.

That’s why Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling made this handbook to help you figure out what could be going on with your AC. Here, you’ll see a few prevailing explanations for why your home is feeling a little unpleasant. And while some of these are easy] DIY projects, you could still need to bring in an expert for cooling system repair.

And if you need us, Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling is prepared to take care of your home. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your residence in Athol.

1. Your Device Settings Are Off

Everyone uses their thermostat a bit differently to suit their individual needs. However, a lot of homeowners make the error of setting their thermostat to “On” instead of “Auto.” Because of this setting, the fan in your air conditioner will continue to blow even after you’ve reached your desired temperature.

This can feel like your ducts are pushing out warm air, when really it’s only using the fan more frequently than needed. Trying changing this setting and work out if things cool off.

2. Your Air Conditioner Needs to Be Cleaned

There are two central places to check for dirt or dust accumulation when your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be operating correctly.

Firstly, check out your AC system’s filter. If you don’t swap out your filter routinely, accumulated dirt can make it more labor intensive for air to pass through and cool your house. If your filter is obviously dirty or dusty, it’s likely time for a change. (And for best operation, you should change it about once every three months at least.)

If your filter seems clean, move to your outdoor unit. Double check there’s adequate room around the unit and clear away plants or litter close by. This section of your cooling system lets off the heat from within your home. If the coils outside are congested, you won’t be comfortable in your home.

We advise scheduling professional air conditioner maintenance each year to keep your unit operating properly and to keep your warranty valid.

3. Your Unit is Leaking Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the chemical that chills the air in your home. It cycles between your internal and external system pieces to soak up and release heat, to help your home remain comfortable. If there is a leak along that path, you won’t be cool again until you schedule professional air conditioning repair.

Signs of a refrigerant leak include a decline in conditioned air, pricier electric charges, frozen evaporator coils and odd hissing noises arising from your system.

If you think refrigerant might be leaking, call Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling for HVAC repair as soon as possible. Refrigerant can also be hazardous to your family’s health.

4. One or More Elements Have to Be Replaced

Your air conditioner includes a few essential pieces. 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 is hurt.

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

5. Your AC Has to Be Upgraded

If your system is older than 10 years old, it may be a good time to research new air conditioner installation. As your system gets up there in years, it sadly won’t run as well as it once did. And it might be making your house uncomfortable.

If your HVAC unit is more current but still isn’t properly cooling your home, it may be the wrong size for your home. HVAC systems are not one-size-fits-all. An AC that’s not big enough simply can’t cool a space the way a correctly sized AC can.

Find a More Comfortable House with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling

You won’t have to waste time this summer in an unpleasant house. When your cooling system isn’t operating the way it should, lean on Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling. We’re experts in AC repair. Contact us at 208-561-1226 right away.