Before calling for service you can check the outside condensing unit for dirty or blocked coils but don't stick your hand inside, the fan blade will hurt you if it's running. Turn it off at the electrical disconnect attached to the side of the house. first look inside where the fan is and see if a critter made a nest inside, If so clean it out. next use a flashlight and try to look through the fins of the coil and look for blockages. If it's dirty and blocked take a hose to it and see if you can clean it but make sure the electric is off at the disconnect.

If the coil is blocked the refrigerant gas will not transfer heat to the outside and condense back to a liquid reducing efficiency. It's the only thing I can think you can do before calling service.

We pay an annual fee for a service contract. The company sends us seasonal reminders that the the spring and fall checkups are due. The cost of the checkups is included in our contract and we pay a reduced rate on labor and materials when we need emergency service. Well worth the piece of mind to have regular service done to protect our equipment. It is a false economy to do your own unless you have the proper equipment and training. We are great DIYers, but wouldn’t dream of tackling AC service.

Yesterday when it was 90+ outside I couldn't get the AC to cool under 85 degrees. We kept the windows open all night and today it's doing a lot better (because of the new filter too maybe?) but still not as strong as last year, it's running constantly to keep the temp at 74 which is just under where it got to from the windows being open last night. It just seemed to struggle a lot less last year

Whatever is going on it is not something you are going to repair yourself. First thing to check is to see if the condenser is operating. Check if the fan is turning. If the nothing is happening then you will need a repair. If the condenser is operating then a possible cause is low refrigerant. This is caused by a leak and needs to be found and refrigerant added. A simple test you could do is measure the temperature difference between the return and supply vents. The difference should be in the 15-20 degree range.

Hello! I addressed all responses below by name:

Stax,

Please note my apology at the end of this message, aside from that this is my response to everything other than the comment addressed below... Thank you so much for the advice. It's funny, I had a feeling I got ripped off on that duct cleaning thing! Grrr. I was widowed soon after buying my house so I was completely thrown into taking care of my very first home and had nooo idea what to do. He had owned a home but I hadn't and I didn't have many friends at the time who owned homes so I didn't have many people to turn to for advice. Or they are just things that you do but no one really thinks to tell you until there's a problem because you didn't do the maitenance... total catch 22. This was one example of me falling for sales pitches I should have gotten second opinions on. Unfortunately I think I was too naive in the beginning and probably had too many "maitenance" things done to the house that weren't needed... and had no idea of things like AC servicing yearly which I should have been doing but just didn't have any idea. Very frustrating. Annnyway, just funny you mentioned that. I try not to kick myself for those things because at least I tried! Haha. And you are correct, I was just focused on filters and did the duct cleaning due to a good sales pitch that I was gullible to fall for. Thank you about your concern for my safetly as well re trying to fix things myself. I plan on calling a professional in now.

Kevin,

Thank you! I will take a look in case it's a nest or something that I can easily see/diagnose without touching anything. First I will make sure to turn the electricity off just in case though, thank you for that important reminder!

Remodeling,

Ah! I do something similar with pest control. I will call around my area and inquire about these contracts. Would you mind if I ask how much you pay that you believe is reasonable for this biyearly service?

Mike,

Thank you as well!! I will try your advice as well and while calling around for what remodeling suggested I will also look into getting it checked. Good point, this isn't like a lawn mower I can trouble shoot (totally succeeded!). Haha. I think I got ripped off with house stuff so much that DIY is just where my brain goes nowadays. Anyway, being here for 5 years without a check I should have done that a long time ago. I need to start making a list of yearly house "chores"! I'm sure there is more I'm neglecting that I haven't even realized. My new husband has helped with a few since he's been here so that's been awesome. He just has never had AC in the houses that he has owned so he didn't have an answer for this one. Anyway, I will do what you suggest so I'll have some information to update the tune up person before they come.

Lastly for Stax, I would like to apologize. I didn't mean to post and run and most certainly do not want to waste anyones time. I so VERY VERY much appreciate peoples time and responses. I love this forum because it shows the good in people, that people do want to help each other regardless of getting something in return and am extremely appreciative and grateful for everyone that takes their time to help out. Unfortunately, I didn't realize 18 hours was an innappropriate amount of time to wait to respond. After posting I finished work and didn't have my personal email up, my husband came home, did gardening chores then straight to making dinner with him. We try to not be on our phones or computers during that evening quality time after the day finally winds down. Maybe its a newlywed thing... spending every minute together that we can is still shiny and new. Haha. I hope it stays though. But that's beside the point, sorry, lala land still... we just got married 2 weeks ago. Anyway, I will stop posting unless I am able to respond immediately to my posts. Again, I apologize for my rudeness and thank you for enlightening me on posting etiquitte. Thank you again SO SO much for your help. It' is more appreciated than you probably realize. I respect you so much for being one of those people that helps strangers without anything in return, it's very selfless.

I wish everyone the best. I know I've said this a million times but THANK YOU AGAIN!!! Stay safe and enjoy your summers!!!!

All the best,

Beth

Stax, she asked so I responded. Per beth; "If there is anything I can try before calling in an AC person". Yes there is and give her the details. If she can preform a cleaning of the Condenser coil or not is not my concern.. I offered up the info for her to decide, but I think she's able to use a garden hose if it's plugged up with filth.

Yes thank you Kevin! Don’t worry Stax, I understood his advice was not intended on replacing having a professional look at it. He even mentioned at the end there’s not much I can do myself so I got the message :)

Stax, please understand not all people are helpless when it comes to cleaning and The A/C coil is nothing but a big coil similar to a condenser coil in a refrigerator. Most people clean them all the time to maintain their frig and do not call a service company to do it. If you're unable to clean your own coils because it's to complicated and confusing I can understand. It may be hard for some but many tend to be self reliant and know how to use a brush in a bucket of soapy water with some dishwashing detergent in it, and a garden hose to clean and up to the person involved to decide, not you. Period! In fact I'll throw in another period! for good measure, yea, that should do it and shut you up.

Stax to say I'm stirring the pot is ironic but since you've deleted your posts as reference I'd say you know who the instigator is stirring the pot. Great, another poster who can't stand behind his words and needs to delete them. You also need to work on comprehension. She asked what can I check before calling a service guy. You replied, call a service guy, and worthless to the OP so why say it. I said check for dirty condenser coil. I understood what she wanted. I said "CHECK" and no way diagnosed the problem. Have you a problem understanding? In case you deleted your last post I saved it for you.

Stax

23 minutes ago

Glad you diagnosed the problem as a dirty coil.

You're simply trolling and tying to stir the pot - AGAIN!