I've noticed that my air conditioner struggles to cool down the house efficiently. After about two hours of use, the airflow weakens significantly, and the temperature only drops by one or two degrees. This started happening recently, and although restarting the AC temporarily restores the airflow, it only lasts for a short time. About 15 days ago, we had a similar issue that was resolved by fixing a small blockage in the air ducts, but this time, the airflow problems seem different. I've reached out to a neighbor who might have some insight, but I'd love to hear any advice you all might have in the meantime!
2 Answers
I had a similar problem a while back and it turned out to be ice buildup on the evaporator coil due to low refrigerant. When the airflow gets weak, I’d shut off the system and let it thaw before switching the filter. Make sure there's no debris around your outside unit either. If you don't see any improvements, definitely get an HVAC technician to check for leaks or other mechanical issues.
Sounds like you might want to check that air filter first. A blocked filter can really mess with airflow. Also, take a peek at the outdoor unit to see if it's iced up. If it is, switching the AC off and just running the fan for a while to defrost might help. If the filter is clean and the unit is clear but the problem persists, it could be a refrigerant issue, so calling in a pro would be a good idea.
I checked the filter recently, and it’s barely dirty, plus I don’t see any ice on the coils. I'm hoping the neighbor can check the refrigerant levels to see if that’s the issue.