Dirt, dust mites, pet dander, debris, and other buildup can get trapped in your AC filter. Once this buildup reaches a certain point, it reduces your air conditioner's efficiency. This makes the unit work harder to cool down your home, which is why it takes longer to reach the desired temperature.
A clogged filter is the most likely reason an AC system needs more time to cool the house. The job of a filter is to catch airborne particles that could harm your HVAC equipment. More effective filters even trap microscopic airborne allergens to improve indoor air quality.
Cooling a house from 90 degrees to 72 degrees typically takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on various factors.
Typically, it takes about an hour for an average-sized air conditioning unit in typical conditions to lower room temperature by one degree Fahrenheit. But remember, 'average' doesn't mean 'always'. Like people, every AC has its personality – some are sprinters while others prefer marathons.
One of the biggest misconception homeowners have about their central air system is that a lower number on the thermostat indicates colder air. This is technically untrue.
The blower fan has three color-coded wires. One wire is for high speed, one is for medium and one is for low speed. Changing the fan speed involves disconnecting the speed wire and then connecting one of the other wires instead.
For many of us, 70 degrees is the ideal indoor temperature, but when it is close to 100 degrees outside, your AC unit will be working quite hard to meet these expectations. Consider setting your thermostat at 75 degrees to 80 degrees in your home if the outside temperature is approaching triple digits.
Temperatures Above 100 Degrees Fahrenheit
When temperatures outside become higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the air conditioning system can consume more energy and begin to malfunction or fail. Most air conditioning systems are designed to function with outside temperatures of 100 degrees or less.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
The Temperature Outside
Most central air conditioners can cool a moderate-sized (3 to 4 bedroom) home by about 5 degrees every 3 hours. This means while it can take no more than a couple hours to lower the temperature to a comfortable range in the fall or autumn, it can take much longer in the summer.
Setting your air conditioning to 72°F is generally considered a comfortable indoor temperature for many people. It strikes a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency, making it a popular choice for residential settings.
1. The AC System Has a Dirty Air Filter. A dirty air filter is one of the most common reasons why an air conditioning system takes a long time to cool a home. The filter is responsible for removing dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants from the air.
If your air conditioner takes awhile, it may be due to dirty air filters, dirty condenser coils, a refrigerant leak, ice buildup, or an AC unit that's just too old.
While there are a number of commercially available coil cleaning solutions on the market, air conditioner coils can be cleaned with a solution of a mild household detergent and water. The detergent and water mix is applied to the coil using a low-pressure sprayer.
Your air conditioner isn't designed for extreme heat. Tips to keep cool Extreme temperatures present a significant challenge to AC systems, which engineers and installers say are really only designed to keep indoor temperatures about 20 degrees cooler than outside.
A broken air conditioner may be considered an emergency in any of the following situations: Your AC has broken down on an extremely hot day (above 90 degrees) You have young children, elderly adults, or immune-compromised people in your home that may be sensitive to excessive heat.
Your AC might not cool properly due to thermostat issues, an undersized unit, or extremely high outdoor temps—so check those first. Keep an eye on airflow—replace clogged filters every 3 months, and make sure vents and ducts aren't blocked for efficient cooling.
Just because the outdoor temperature is above 100, the Ideal temperature to set your AC unit to doesn't change — it's 78 degrees. Higher temperatures in the home are to be expected when the weather is hotter than usual, but your thermostat can still be set the same as if it were a lower temperature outside.
Here is a general rule of thumb: most central air conditioners should cool a moderate-sized home (about 4 bedrooms) by about 10 degrees within the first three hours.
Key Takeaways. It's more energy-efficient to keep your AC on but set a few degrees higher when you're away from home for the day. Completely turning it off doesn't necessarily save energy as the unit will have to run longer to cool down a hot house upon your return.
Because ceiling fans help the AC, they also help to reduce energy costs as your AC unit is able to run more efficiently. Each room will have a more even distribution of cool air so that it is more comfortable.
Turn extra lights off to reduce the heat level in the room so that the AC has to work that much less. Switch on the AC before it gets too hot, so that it does not have to overwork to cool the air. Turn off the exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom when the AC is on, so that the cool air is not sucked away.
A capacitor that is malfunctioning or failing can cause the fan's motor to slow down and/or overheat. In most cases like this, the run capacitor needs to be replaced.