When it’s a searing summer morning in Beckley, nothing feels worse than recognizing your home comfort system isn’t performing the way it is supposed to. The last thing you should have to do is call for cooling system service. But your air conditioner is a quite complex system, so it can be hard to find out what’s creating the trouble on your own.

That’s why Appalachian Heating created this informational guide to help you find out what may be taking place with your home comfort system. From here, you’ll see some typical explanations for why your house is feeling too warm. And though a few of these are easy] DIY activities, you may need to call in a professional for cooling system repair.

And if that’s the case, Appalachian Heating is prepared to take care of your home. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your home in Beckley.

1. Your Device Settings Could Be Off

Everyone sets their thermostat a little differently to work with their specific requirements. Yet, many families make the misstep of setting their device to “On” as opposed to “Auto.” With this setting, the fan in your air conditioner will continue to blow even when you’ve reached your set temperature.

This can look like your AC is distributing warm air, when in reality it’s simply using the fan more often than needed. Trying changing this setting and see if things cool off.

2. Your System Needs a Good Cleaning

There are two central places to investigate for dirt or dust accumulation when your cooling system doesn’t feel like it is performing correctly.

Firstly, check out your system’s filter. If you don’t swap out your filter routinely, accumulated dirt can make it more difficult for air to pass through and cool your house. If your filter is noticeably dirty or dusty, it’s likely time for a change. (And as a rule, you should replace it about once every three months at the very least.)

If your filter appears fine, head to your outside unit. Find out if there’s enough clearing around it and clear away plants or dirt close by. This section of your system lets off the heat from inside your house. If the coils outside are congested, you won’t be comfortable inside.

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

3. Your Unit is Losing Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the substance that conditions the air in your home. It moves between your inside and outdoor system pieces to absorb and release heat, to help your house stay cool. If there is a leak along that path, you won’t be cool again until you book professional air conditioning repair.

Signals of a refrigerant leak include a lack of chilled air, pricier utility bills, frozen evaporator coils and unusual hissing noises coming from your air conditioner.

If you are worried refrigerant may be leaking, call Appalachian Heating for HVAC repair as soon as possible. Refrigerant can also be damaging to your family’s health.

4. One or More Parts Should Be Replaced

Your air conditioner contains a a handful of important elements. These include the blower, evaporator coils, compressor, fan, condenser coils and expansion valve. If any one of these is not working as it should, your home comfort suffers.

Our Appalachian Heating pros are trained and experienced in HVAC. They can help you locate and fix any trouble.

5. Your System Has to Be Upgraded

If your system is more than 10 years old, it could likely be time to research new air conditioner installation. As your system gets older, it simply won’t work as well as it once did. And it could be making your home too warm.

If your HVAC unit is newer but still isn’t cooling things off, it might be the wrong size for your house. AC units are not one-size-fits-all. An AC that’s too small absolutely can’t help a house the way a properly sized AC can.

Find a More Comfortable Home with Appalachian Heating

You can’t lose a moment this summer in a hot home. When your cooling system isn’t functioning correct, lean on Appalachian Heating. We’re professionals in air conditioner repair. Contact us at 304-707-0600 today.