Air Conditioning On And Home Still Warm? 4 Reasons Why

1 August 2017
Categories: , Blog

When you turn the air conditioning on in your home, you expect one thing: for your home to cool. If your air conditioning is operating correctly, but your home still feels warm, it's time to start doing some investigating. Here are some of the common culprits behind a warmer-than-wanted home.

Failing Thermostat

When it comes to maintenance, the focus is often on the air conditioning unit itself. However, your thermostat needs a little attention every now and then too. When it starts to fail, or the batteries are starting to diminish, the reading on the thermostat might not be accurate. For instance, the thermostat might read 72 degrees, but in reality, the temperature is closer to 80. If you have a newer thermostat, it might alert you when there is a problem.

Poor Window Covering

Natural light is awesome and a great way to cut down on the need for lights, however, there are downfalls. During the day, especially when the sun is facing the windows, some of the UV rays will penetrate through the glass and heat up your home. Particularly when it comes to large windows, it's a good idea to install window coverings that are designed to block some of these rays and keep your home cooler.

Debris Outside

If you're dealing with heat issues, it's a good idea to also take a look outside at your outdoor unit. Keeping your home cool has everything to do with the outdoor unit's ability to take in air. If there is a restriction, this limited airflow will prevent your home from staying cool. Take a few moments to inspect the space around the unit looking for any excess leaves or other debris. In many instances, you can simply clear the area and this should resolve the issues.

Failing Insulation

Issues with your home being warmer than expected could also be an indication of failing insulation. This is especially the case if your home is on the older side. When your insulation is in bad shape, the cooled air the unit is producing will escape through the insulation and the warm air from outside will penetrate inside your home. This imbalance will make your home warmer. To prevent this problem, have a professional come in and inspect your insulation.

If your home is warm, make sure you're taking action. An HVAC company like Pallett Heating and Cooling can help you get to the bottom of your problems.

About Me

I almost always have my air conditioner inspected every spring before I start using it in the summer. However, last year I decided to skip the inspection. Everything had been OK for the last couple of years, so I assumed that it would be fine this year as well. Why not save a few dollars and skip the annual check up, just this once? Of course, this was the year that my air conditioner decided to break down. It ran for a few days, but it never really seemed to get cool enough to bring the indoor temperature down. Then it started making a loud noise, right before shutting off completely. By that time, the AC repair company was swamped like it always is when the weather is warm, and I had to wait days for an appointment. Next year, I will definitely be getting that yearly inspection first.