When a Spokane summer is breathing fire and your AC just can’t keep up, you’re not alone. Plenty of homes hit the same wall: higher energy bills, a thermostat that won’t budge, and a house that stays uncomfortable. Here are the most common reasons an AC stops cooling the way it should, and what each one means.

1. A Clogged Air Filter

This is the number-one culprit. A filter packed with dust and pet hair chokes airflow, so your AC works harder and cools less. Check it first, and replace it every one to three months.

2. Heat Sneaking In

Sometimes the AC is fine and your house is just gaining too much heat. Direct sun through windows and poor sealing around doors and windows make the system fight a losing battle. Curtains and good weatherstripping help.

3. Low Refrigerant

If your AC runs constantly but barely cools, a refrigerant leak is a likely cause. This isn’t a top-off job; the leak has to be found and sealed, then the system recharged. That’s a pro fix.

4. Dirty Coils

Your outdoor condenser and indoor evaporator coils have to be clean to release heat. Caked-on dirt and cottonwood fluff insulate them and kill efficiency.

5. A Failing Compressor

The compressor is the heart of the system. When it’s struggling, cooling drops off no matter what else you do. This is a serious repair worth diagnosing early.

6. Thermostat Problems

A miscalibrated or failing thermostat sends the wrong signals, so the AC short-cycles or never reaches your set temperature.

7. An Undersized or Aging Unit

If your AC is too small for the home or simply old and worn out, it may never keep up on the hottest days, even in good repair.

Get It Cooling Again

Start with the easy checks: filter, thermostat, and clearing the outdoor unit. If it’s still not cooling, Bearcat will diagnose the real problem fast and tell you straight what it needs. See our AC repair services, or call (509) 891-5110.