Why Can't My AC Keep Up With the Heat?
Summer in California means clear blue skies and sunny weather. However, the hottest days can quickly become unpleasant when you’re cooped up inside at the peak of the day with an air conditioner that can’t keep your home cool.
As east San Diego’s trusted air conditioning repair company, it’s around this time that we tend to hear, “Why can’t my ac keep up with the heat?” from locals. Many things can affect your air conditioner’s ability to deliver the comfort levels you want.
We’ll look at some of the likelier reasons below.
Your AC Unit Needs Maintenance
Air conditioners rarely break down without prior warning. They give some subtle (and not so subtle) signs that you may either dismiss or not pick up on entirely.
If your air conditioner won’t cool your home, you may have a refrigerant leak, dirty evaporator coils, a misfiring condenser, or a worn-out motor. Any of these problems can reduce your air conditioner’s cooling capacity. If you ignore the problem long enough, the air conditioner might stop producing cool air completely.
Professional HVAC maintenance teams uncover these issues early enough.
If you’re asking, “Why can’t my ac keep up with the heat?” and you keep up with annual maintenance, the problem lies elsewhere.
You Have Leaks in Your Air Ducts
You can lose a significant amount of the conditioned air before it even reaches the rooms in your home if you have leaks in your ducts. This will make your home feel warmer than it should. The HVAC system will also have to work harder to cool your home, which can cause rising energy bills and higher maintenance costs.
You need to hire an HVAC professional to check your ductwork if you want to eliminate the possibility of leaks.
While on the topic of air ducts, you should know that excessive debris buildup inside the ducts and air vents can lower your air conditioner’s efficiency. Even worse, it can worsen your indoor air quality. Scheduling air duct cleaning can help your AC blow fresh, cool air that is free of airborne contaminants.
You Have the Wrong Air Conditioner Size for Your Space
If you’ve never had issues with your AC in previous summers, this is unlikely to be the reason why your air conditioner can’t up with the summer heat.
However, if you have just set up a new air conditioner only to find out that you always feel warm and sticky while it’s working, your unit may be the wrong size. A small air conditioner producing cold air for a larger space will fail to keep the entire space comfortable.
Buying an oversized air conditioner isn’t the answer either, as it will always shut off or cycle too quickly before it can properly dehumidify the air indoors. If the air conditioner can’t keep humidity levels in your space between 30 and 50%, you’ll continue to feel clammy and uncomfortable even with the air conditioner running.
Talk to your HVAC expert if you suspect that your air conditioner isn’t the right size for your space. If the technician confirms the diagnosis, you can explore the option of calling in your warranty (if possible) and replacing the unit with a system that suits your home better.
You Have Clogs Around the Outdoor Unit
When your air conditioner can’t keep up with the heat, you should take a look at the outdoor unit. If the outdoor unit is covered in dirt and debris, you’ll likely have an overheating fan motor, for starters. Depending on the situation’s severity, your system may stop working.
Cleaning up the area around the outdoor unit and leaving at least two feet of distance between it and any vegetation is the best way to ensure it has adequate space to function properly.
If you notice too much dirt and debris inside the outdoor unit already, it’s best to call in an HVAC company for professional cleaning.
You Need Better Ventilation in Your Attic
The hot air in your attic needs to go outdoors, or it will circle back into your home. Without proper attic ventilation, the space will become stuffy, contributing to the heat around the rest of the house. This is especially true if your air duct cuts through your attic.
Remember, you don’t have to cool your attic. You just need to ensure proper ventilation up there so that it can’t contribute to the uncomfortable temperatures you’re experiencing.
Request an HVAC inspection of your attic space to see if you have the right level of ventilation in your attic.
Your Home Insulation Isn't the Best
Buying an air conditioner with the highest Energy Star rating on the market will not help if you don’t have the right level of home insulation. If a significant portion of the conditioned air is exiting your home through openings or heat-conducting surfaces around your home, you won’t feel comfortable in the San Diego summer weather.
You can evaluate your home’s insulation on your own to an extent. Check for air coming through doors and windows. Inspect your plumbing and check your electrical outlets for gaps. You can plug these gaps with some caulk.
However, if you still don’t notice any improvement, it may be time to call in the pros to check the insulation on your walls, your attic, crawl space, and basement.
Your Air Conditioner Is Due for Replacement
If your air conditioner is older than 10 years, and you none of the possible reasons we’ve covered is applicable to your situation, it may be time to say goodbye to the air conditioner and invest in a new, efficient unit.
Solve Your AC Issues Today: Call Maximum Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning
When you’ve done everything to get your air conditioner cooling properly but still find yourself asking, “Why can’t my ac keep up with the heat?” it’s time to call in the pros!
Whether you need AC compressor replacement or a complete AC replacement, we can help. Call the Maximum Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning team in El Cajon, CA, today at 619-403-2823 to book an appointment.