AC took 15 minutes to start cooling... anyone else have this?

Hey everyone, my air conditioner took about 15 minutes to start cooling today—it just blew hot air for a while before finally engaging. I’ve had the compressor replaced under warranty before due to a similar issue, so I’m wondering if low refrigerant could be the problem after a hot summer. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

If it’s taking that long to cool, low refrigerant could definitely be the cause. It’s common after a hot season, and sometimes they don’t top it off during regular service.

Dany said:
If it’s taking that long to cool, low refrigerant could definitely be the cause. It’s common after a hot season, and sometimes they don’t top it off during regular service.

Thanks, good to know. I’ll ask them to check it next time.

I had the same issue with my AC after replacing the compressor. Turned out it was a leak in the system. Might be worth checking for leaks if you’re low on refrigerant.

Steve said:
I had the same issue with my AC after replacing the compressor. Turned out it was a leak in the system. Might be worth checking for leaks if you’re low on refrigerant.

Interesting, I’ll have them check that too. Thanks for the tip.

AC isn’t usually checked during oil changes. They usually have to be specifically asked to test refrigerant levels.

WhisperingWillow said:
AC isn’t usually checked during oil changes. They usually have to be specifically asked to test refrigerant levels.

Makes sense. I’ll make sure to request it next time.

If you keep the heater on, sometimes the system takes a bit to switch over to cooling. Could be why it took longer this time.

My AC needed a recharge after a similar issue. Fixed it right away, so hopefully that’s all it is.