Air Conditioner NOT Cooling Enough? (What YOU Can Do!)

If your air conditioner is not cooling enough, there are a few simple things you can do to make it cool better. Keep this in mind: it is all about airflow. The HVAC system needs to be able to breathe in order to work well. Some of the most common problems could be avoided if you make sure your air conditioning system can breathe. Such as…

1. Change your air filter

This is a step that can be easily overlooked. A dirty air filter can cause an air conditioner to not cool enough, or stop working all together! A dirty filter can also cause your air conditioner to ice up which also causes it to not cool properly. Make sure your filter is clean and is also not so efficient that it blocks too much air flow. Try a lower or medium level air filter such as a MERV 6 if you are concerned about your system’s ability to breathe.

2. Gently wash your outdoor unit

A layer of dirt on the surface of the outdoor coil can cause your air conditioner to not cool enough. Use your regular household hose and use a light spray of water to spray off the layer of dust and dirt on your outdoor unit. Especially pay attention to the side facing the house. The air flow is a bit different on that side and tends to get dirtier than the other three sides.

3. Trim back any trees or shrubs 8-10 feet around or above your outdoor air conditioning unit

Again, it is all about airflow. The outdoor unit is working hard to take the hot humid air from inside the house and push it outside. If there are trees and shrubs blocking any side of the unit or the top, it will not be able to cool enough. (Especially when it is extremely hot.) The outdoor air conditioner needs 8 to 10 feet of clear open space to disperse all the heat properly.