Any advice for when the A/C won't keep the house cool?

Question

We have a new home, less than 3 years old. We set our a/c at a temperature and the a/c won't maintain that temp. (Example: Right now it's set at 75 and it's 77.4 in here.) It's too old to just be dirty right? Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

you may have some leaks around the house that is letting cold air seep out and hot air in. attics are a big one if they aren't insulated correctly and your vents as well- you could have a lot of cold air leaking out into your walls. check around windows and doors to see if your feel any air getting through- you can get some inexpensive foam to stick around them to help that. you can always have a energy survey done on your house and they can tell you your all the right things to do to save energy.

it may be your thermostat too?

Answer 2

There could be many things wrong. I assume you are talking about a central air unit. If so look at your outside unit. Make certain that it is not covered up with anything, no bushes close-by, nothing blocking it. Nothing stacked on top of it that would be blocking the flow of air around it. Look down inside the central air unit where the fan is-you can do this without taking anything apart. Is the fan turning while the unit is on? Does it look like there are any old leafs or other junk down in there that shouldnt be? Maybe covering up the coil? Is there ice built up on the coil or any other part of the unit? If so there is a good chance all your system needs is a "tune up". Just cleaned up real good. If everything looks fine though it might be more of a mechanical problem which could be anything from something as simple as the thermostat is faulty to a leak somewhere in the system allowing your refrigerant to leak out or something more serious such as a faulty compressor not running as strong as it should. Or maybe even that your system is just undersized for your house. A good HVAC company will do what is called a load study to find the proper size system your house needs. A fly by night company will just guess at it, or offer everyone  the same size.

Best bet is to call out a reliable and trustworthy HVAC company in your area.

Answer 3

Change the furnace filter. Wash the dirt out of the outside unit with a hose.

Answer 4

A few suggestions:

A) Where your thermostat is in relation to the A/C coming out. it may be too close and so the thermostat reads that it's cool enough and shuts down the A/C. Try either moving the thermostat or sheltering it from direct A/C

B) Circulation of the air. I remember living in a house that had a good A/C but very poor circulation. By adding in a couple of ceiling fans we were able to circulate the air and made the place much cooler.

C) Ambient heat. Try making sure that heat sources are cut off from the rest of the house. Dryers to be vented outside in the summer and maybe shutting the door to the laundry area. Same idea with the kitchen while the stove, Oven or dishwasher is running. Closing off a room while it will be heating up will save you a lot. To do this (if there is no door) get a spring loaded curtain rod and a drape to go across the doorways. Also close the curtains and /or blinds on windows where the sun is shining in.  

All these areas will help to keep your home cooler.

k

Answer 5

check your air filter