The heat at the end of summer is often intense, so it might not surprise you to find your air conditioning system, after months of steady work, has started to struggle to keep all of your house comfortably cool. Even if it isn’t surprising, it’s still something you want fixed as soon as possible. When you’ve got an AC leaving rooms in the house too hot, it may mean the whole system is in jeopardy.
We’ll explain some of the different reasons an AC can start to provide uneven cooling and when you’ll need to call our team for air conditioning repair in Fairfax, VA.
Clogged air filter
With most AC malfunctions, we recommend homeowners first check their air conditioner’s filter (usually located on the HVAC cabinet) to see if it’s dirty. A clogged air filter will restrict the amount of air flowing into the air conditioner and therefore reduce how much cooled air the unit can send into the ducts. Some rooms will receive enough cooling, others won’t. A simple air filter change will remedy this.
Low refrigerant
An air conditioning system is designed to run on a specific amount (or “charge”) or refrigerant that remains constant throughout the AC’s service life. This charge can drop because of leaks, and this will result in the AC beginning to lose cooling capacity so it won’t be able to evenly condition the home. Low refrigerant will eventually cause an AC to fully break down, so it’s vital to call for repairs when you notice capacity issues.
Leaking air ducts
Damage to the ducts connecting certain rooms to the ventilation system can allow cooled air to escape, leaving those rooms with low cooling levels. Uneven cooling is often a warning of ductwork that needs professional repairs to seal leaks. These leaks not only affect particular rooms, they will make the AC system less energy efficient overall.
Short-cycling
This is when an AC shuts off its cooling cycle prematurely (cycles usually last for 15 minutes or more), only to turn back on again a short time later and repeat the process. Short-cycling doesn’t allow an air conditioner enough time to get conditioned air spread to all the rooms, resulting in uneven cooling. Short-cycling drains power and puts immense stress on the AC, so it’s a malfunction you want fixed right away.
Aging air conditioner
Uneven cooling is often a red flag of an air conditioner that is coming to the end of its service life. The average AC lasts 10–15 years, so when you have a unit system that’s 12 years older or more it’s entered into the risk zone. A decline in cooling capacity for an older AC like this often means it’s time to replace it.
Undersized air conditioner
If this is a new AC that has never provided even cooling, then the trouble is likely a system that was incorrectly sized as too small when installed. Amateurs frequently make this error, and the only way to correct it is to work with professionals to replace the unit with a correctly sized one.
Contact B&B Air Conditioning & Heating Service when you need top-quality home cooling repairs. We are always there when you need us.