When it’s a searing summer afternoon in McKinney and Frisco, nothing feels worse than realizing your air conditioner isn’t working the way it should. The last thing you need to do is call for AC help. But your air conditioner is a quite complicated system, so it can be hard to figure out what’s triggering the problem on your own.

That’s why Bell Mechanical Services made this informational guide to help you see what could be taking place with your home comfort system. Here, you’ll learn a couple prevailing situtations that explain why your house is feeling uncomfortable. And though a few of these are simple] DIY tasks, you may have to turn to a professional for cooling system repair.

And if that’s the case, Bell Mechanical Services is here for you. Here are five reasons why your air conditioner may not be cooling your residence in McKinney and Frisco.

1. Your Thermostat Settings Are Off

Every home uses their thermostat a bit differently to match their individual needs. Yet, a number of homeowners make the error of setting their thermostat to “On” rather than “Auto.” Because of this setting, the fan in your AC will continue to blow even after you’ve achieved your desired temperature.

This can feel like your vents are pushing out warm air, when really it’s simply using the fan more often than necessary. Change this setting and find out if things seem better.

2. Your Air Conditioner Needs a Good Cleaning

There are two primary places to look for dirt or dust accrual when your home comfort system doesn’t feel like it is performing as it should.

Before anything else, examine your system’s filter. If you don’t swap out your filter on a regular basis, built-up dust can make it more difficult for air to pass through and lower the temperature your home. If your filter is visibly dirty or dusty, it’s definitely time to replace it. (And for best operation, you should switch it about once every three months at a minimum.)

If your filter seems fine, head to your outside unit. Make sure there’s enough space around the unit and clear away plants or dirt stuck there. This part of your AC releases the heat from within your house. If the coils outside are congested, you won’t be feeling comfortable in your home.

We recommend booking professional air conditioner maintenance every year to keep your equipment working like it should and to keep your warranty valid.

3. Your AC is Losing Refrigerant

Refrigerant is the chemical that cools the air in your home. It cycles between your indoor and external system pieces to absorb and release heat, to help your space stay comfortable. If there is an opening along that path, you won’t be cool again until you set professional air conditioning repair.

Signs of a refrigerant leak include a drop in chilled air, higher monthly bills, frozen evaporator coils and strange hissing noises arising from your air conditioner.

If you think refrigerant might be leaking, call Bell Mechanical Services for air conditioner repair as soon as possible. Refrigerant can also be harmful to your family’s health.

4. One or More Elements Should Be Replaced

Your air conditioner contains a few essential pieces. These include the blower, evaporator coils, compressor, fan, condenser coils and expansion valve. If one part is broken, your home comfort suffers.

Our Bell Mechanical Services pros are trained and experienced in HVAC. They can help you diagnose and repair any trouble.

5. Your Whole System Needs to Be Replaced

If your system is older than 10 years old, it may be a good time to research new air conditioner installation. As your system ages, it sadly won’t work as well as it has in the past. And it might be making your house too warm.

If your HVAC unit is more current but still isn’t cutting it, it could be the wrong size for your home. Air conditioners are not all the same. A cooling system that’s undersized absolutely can’t chill a space the way a properly sized air conditioner can.

Get a More Comfortable Space with Bell Mechanical Services

You shouldn’t lose time this summer in an unpleasant home. When your cooling system isn’t working the way it should, bank on Bell Mechanical Services. We’re professionals in HVAC repair. Contact us at 888-863-0560 right away.