Your air conditioner is running, you can hear it, maybe even feel some cool air — but the house just won’t get comfortable. When North Valley temperatures push past 105, an AC that can’t keep up turns a home miserable fast. Here are the most common reasons it happens, what you can check yourself, and when to call the Stand Up Guys.
First, the easy stuff to check
- A clogged air filter. This is the number one culprit. A dirty filter chokes airflow and cripples cooling. Check it — if it’s gray and packed, replace it.
- Blocked or closed vents. Make sure supply and return vents are open and not blocked by furniture or rugs.
- Thermostat settings. Confirm it’s set to “cool” and “auto,” and that the batteries aren’t dead.
- The outdoor unit. If it’s buried in weeds, leaves, or cottonwood fluff, gently clear the area — it needs to breathe to release heat.
If those don’t fix it, the problem is usually one of these:
Dirty condenser coils
The outdoor coil releases the heat your AC pulls from inside. Caked in dust and debris, it can’t shed that heat, and cooling collapses on the hottest days. Clearing it is part of a professional tune-up.
Low refrigerant
If your system is low on refrigerant — almost always from a leak — it loses cooling power and only gets worse over time. This needs a technician to find the leak and recharge it correctly.
Leaky or undersized ducts
If cooled air is escaping into your attic through leaky ducts, you’re paying to cool the wrong space. Older or undersized ductwork can also choke an otherwise healthy system.
An undersized or aging system
An AC is generally designed to cool your home to about 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature. At 110 degrees, even a healthy unit is working at its limit — and an undersized or worn-out system simply can’t get there. If yours is over 12 years old and struggling every summer, it may be time to consider replacement.
When to call us
If you’ve checked the filter and vents and your home still won’t cool — or you spot ice on the unit, hear odd noises, or see your bills spiking — call us. Our NATE-certified technicians will diagnose it fast and give you a clear, honest estimate before any work begins.
Quick answers
Why is my AC running constantly but not cooling?
Often a dirty filter or coil, low refrigerant, or a unit that’s simply undersized for the heat. Start with the filter, then call us.
Is it normal for my AC to struggle at 110 degrees?
Some loss of margin is normal at extreme highs, but your home should still be comfortable. If it isn’t, something needs attention.
Will a tune-up help?
Often, yes — a seasonal tune-up restores airflow and heat transfer and catches small issues before they become breakdowns.
Stay cool out there
Don’t tough out a North Valley heat wave with an AC that can’t keep up. The Stand Up Guys at Gallagher’s have kept homes comfortable here since 1989 — request service and we’ll get you cool again.
