When it’s a hot summer morning in Heflin, nothing is worse than realizing your AC isn’t performing the way it is supposed to. The last thing you need to do is schedule AC help. But your AC is a pretty complicated system, so it can be hard to find out what’s causing the trouble without training.

That’s why Bain Heating & Air Conditioning made this handbook to help you see what may be going on with your AC. From here, you’ll discover a couple common situtations that explain why your space is feeling a little unpleasant. And though a couple of these are straightforward] DIY projects, you may have to call in a pro for AC repair.

And if you do, Bain Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to assist. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your residence in Heflin.

1. Your Thermostat Settings Could Be Off

Every family uses their thermostat a little differently to suit their personal requirements. Even so, a lot of homeowners make the error of setting their system to “On” as opposed to “Auto.” Under this setting, the fan in your air conditioner will continue to push out air even after you’ve reached your preferred temperature.

This can feel like your system is pushing out warm air, when actually it’s just utilizing the fan more frequently than necessary. Try switching this setting and see if things cool off.

2. Your Air Conditioner Needs to Be Cleaned

There are two primary places to look for dirt or dust buildup when your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be working as it should.

Before anything else, check out your HVAC filter. If you don’t swap out your filter routinely, accumulated dirt can make it more labor intensive for air to move through and cool down your space. If your filter is noticeably dirty or dusty, it’s definitely time to replace it. (And in general, you have to replace it about once every three months at a minimum.)

If your filter appears fine, move to your external unit. Double check there’s a reasonable amount of clearing around the unit and clear any plants or dirt stuck there. This piece of your AC discharges the heat from your home. If the coils outside are congested, you won’t be feeling comfortable in your home.

We suggest setting professional air conditioner maintenance each year to keep your system operating like it should and to keep your warranty valid.

3. Your System is Leaking Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the chemical that chills the air in your house. It runs between your inside and outside units to absorb and discharge heat, to help your home stay cool. If there is a leak along that path, you won’t be comfortable again until you schedule professional air conditioning repair.

Signs of a refrigerant leak include a drop in conditioned air, more expensive monthly expenses, frozen evaporator coils and odd hissing noises coming from your AC.

If you suspect refrigerant might be leaking, call Bain Heating & Air Conditioning for AC repair as soon as possible. Refrigerant can also be hazardous to your family’s health.

4. One or More Elements Should Be Replaced

Your AC includes a couple important pieces. These include the blower, evaporator coils, compressor, fan, condenser coils and expansion valve. If one of these is broken, your home comfort suffers.

Our Bain Heating & Air Conditioning pros are well-trained and experienced in HVAC. They can help you find and fix any problem.

5. Your Air Conditioner Should Be Updated

If your system is over 10 years old, it is probably time to think about new air conditioner installation. As your system gets older, it just won’t function as well as it once did. And it could be making your home too warm.

If your AC is more current but still isn’t cooling things off, it might be the wrong size for your living space. HVAC systems are not all the same. A system that’s too small simply can’t chill a space the way a properly sized HVAC can.

Make a More Comfortable Space with Bain Heating & Air Conditioning

You won’t have to blow a moment this summer in a hot house. When your air conditioner isn’t working how it should, turn to Bain Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re skilled in HVAC repair. Contact us at 256-270-1196 today.