Calgary summers are getting hotter, and more homes than ever are installing AC. Many owners are new to AC troubleshooting, so it helps to know which problems you can fix yourself and which need professional attention.
Many AC problems can be resolved with simple homeowner checks, but not all. Knowing the difference is key.
Why is the AC Not Cooling Your Home?
The main reasons why the AC is not cooling your home are impeded airflow, thermostat settings, an electrical issue, a dirty or frozen evaporator coil, low refrigerant, or leaky ductwork.
Heat gain from sunlight won’t help, and neither will an undersized air conditioner or neglecting annual maintenance. Weather damage or strain may also be a factor in Calgary.
We look deeper into each of these reasons, starting with a few quick DIY checks and basic home maintenance, and then covering the problems that require a professional fix.
MAKE THE RIGHT HEATING & COOLING DECISIONS…
For over two decades, Alberta Mountain Air has helped Calgarians solve heating and cooling problems and maintain ideal comfort levels. Get in touch online for a quote.
Quick DIY Checks
DIY checks are the place to start if your AC is not cooling your home. The following checks should take 5 minutes or less:
Thermostat Settings
Blocked or Closed Vents and Registers
If furniture, rugs, or drapes are blocking vents or registers in your home, or the vents are very dirty, your central AC may not adequately cool some rooms.
Remove any obstructions that impede airflow to and from vents and registers, and ensure they’re clean to avoid airflow issues.
Also, don’t fall for the myth that closing vents in some lesser-used rooms will reduce the electricity bill. Closed vents do not save energy. Keep them open and unimpeded at all times.
Circuit Breaker, Disconnect Box, and Burnt Wiring
A lack of power may prevent your AC from starting at all:
Airflow and Filter Problems (Home Fixes)
An AC may not cool your home properly due to other airflow problems:
Clogged Air Filters
HVAC filters need to be changed (or cleaned) regularly. Otherwise, they can clog and impede airflow, harming overall AC performance. This is the #1 reason for home AC problems, and it should be one of the first things to check.
Dust, dirt, pollen, pet hair, and other air particles can easily work their way into the filter. Keeping these impurities out of the HVAC system helps maintain indoor air quality.
Stick to a filter replacement schedule. It’s good to check monthly and change filters every 1-3 months (most frequently if pets or allergy sufferers are in the home).
Dirty Condenser Fins (Outdoor Unit)
The outside unit is the condenser, and it houses the compressor. The unit contains small fins that can become clogged with grass, leaves, dirt, or storm debris. This will impede airflow and can interfere with the smooth operation of your AC.
Check the unit from time to time and use a garden hose to clean it periodically. Don’t use high pressure, as it could damage the fins.
Cooling System Problems or Malfunctions (Call a Pro)
Now, we get to the deeper AC problems that require professional fixes.
Dirty or Frozen Evaporator Coils
If the evaporator coil of your indoor unit is frozen, it points to a problem with airflow, low refrigerant, or a condensate line blockage.
If changing the filter doesn’t fix the issue, call a pro to check refrigerant levels and ensure the coil isn’t dirty (coils need regular cleaning, which is included in a standard tune-up).
A condensate line can usually be cleared with a white vinegar solution or a wet-dry vac, but it might be easier to call a pro for an AC tune-up while the problem is fixed.
Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant gas is central to the cooling cycle of air conditioners. If your AC unit’s refrigerant levels are low, either it was undercharged when it was installed or you have a refrigerant leak.
Refrigerant can be hazardous and must be handled only by licensed professionals. Any related problem is a job for a professional.
NOTE: Older systems using R-22 (Freon) should be replaced rather than recharged. Even units using Puron (R-410A) are increasingly being replaced with units using newer refrigerants, such as R-454B (marketed as Puron Advance) and R-32, due to their lower global warming potential.
An Undersized Air Conditioner
An undersized air conditioner will run constantly, but still not adequately cool your home.
You might notice that rooms furthest from the AC unit struggle to keep cool. Ceiling fans can make life more comfortable, but the only way to truly resolve the problem is to install a new air conditioner.
TIP: Check with your HVAC professional about any federal or Alberta rebates and incentive programs if you need to upgrade your AC unit.
Neglect (Lack of Maintenance)
An AC unit that is not serviced regularly will eventually stop cooling your home.
The benefits of annual AC maintenance are clear. Ideally, book a call in spring before the hottest weather begins. During a tune-up, your AC professional will:
Structural and Home-Related Causes
Sometimes indoor cooling issues are related to the home itself.
Leaky Ductwork
The ductwork in most Calgary homes is quite robust, supporting year-round heating and cooling.
If ducting is improperly installed or damaged, however, leaks can develop. Up to 30% of the cool air produced by your air conditioner is lost in the ductwork, and damage will increase the risk of warm air invading in summer.
Inspect the visible ductwork and seal any holes you find with tape, mastic, and insulation. For a more complete fix, call your AC professional and ask about duct cleaning and repairs.
Heat Gain from Sunlight
If sunlight regularly streams through your home’s windows, it can reduce the cooling effect of your air conditioner.
This is fairly obvious, but keeping the drapes or blinds closed during the day in rooms where the sun shines through will prevent this.
Weather damage
Calgary’s severe climate can affect your air conditioner, either damaging it or putting it under extra strain, impacting cooling performance:
Get Help with an Underperforming AC Unit
The team of SAIT-certified HVAC professionals at Alberta Mountain Air has been helping Calgary homeowners make the right heating, cooling, and indoor air quality decisions for over two decades. If you’re considering your HVAC options, contact us online.
