RightAir Solutions is a company that specialises in commercial air conditioning services.

What are the first steps to take if your new air conditioning system is underperforming?

Begin by identifying the symptoms and ruling out basic configuration issues. Then, assess the quality of the installation and system compatibility with your property. If performance concerns persist, check for early-stage faults and review the handover process. Escalate with clarity if needed, and establish a maintenance plan to preserve long-term performance.

Table of Contents

Recognising the Signs of Underperformance

A newly installed air conditioning system may be running, but still not delivering the comfort levels expected. This can be particularly frustrating when expectations are high and the space still feels awkwardly warm, cold, humid, or noisy.

Common signs of underperformance include:

  • Uneven or inconsistent temperatures between rooms
  • Persistent humidity or clammy indoor conditions
  • The system struggling to reach or maintain the set temperature
  • Noticeable noise that feels intrusive
  • Airflow that feels weak, unbalanced, or poorly directed
  • The system running constantly without making the space feel comfortable
  • A sense that the air feels stale or not well-circulated
  • Unexplained increases in energy use

Seasonal context matters as well. For example, during milder shoulder months, a system may appear to underperform due to outside temperature swings or partial sun exposure during the day. However, if these symptoms persist under steady seasonal conditions, they may indicate more than just perception. Trust your instincts, especially if something feels persistently off or different from previous experiences.

Pro Tip: Take temperature readings across different rooms at the same time of day to identify uneven performance trends.

Rechecking System Settings and Controls

Before drawing conclusions, it is important to revisit system settings. Many perceived issues stem from how the unit is configured rather than how it has been installed or constructed.

To rule out setting errors, follow these steps:

  1. Check thermostat mode Ensure the system is set to cool or heat as appropriate, and not in fan-only or dehumidify mode.
  2. Review temperature settings Some thermostats auto-adjust when linked to smart devices. Confirm the scheduled temperatures match your comfort expectations.
  3. Inspect fan and zoning controls In multi-room systems, zones may be misassigned or left inactive. Airflow settings can also affect comfort.
  4. Look for smart system overrides Automation features or app-based controls might be conflicting with the desired settings. A system may appear to behave erratically if it is responding to external logic such as occupancy sensors.

If you have reviewed these areas and they seem correct, the issue may lie more detailed in the system itself or its application within your property.

Reviewing the Installation Quality

Even a well-designed system can perform poorly if installation was careless or mismatched to the site. A poor-quality setup can create subtle long-term issues just as much as immediate discomfort.

Some indicators of substandard installation include:

  • Exposed or untidy pipework detracting from finish quality
  • Excessive vibration, especially near indoor units or duct points
  • Inconsistent noise levels that vary with system speed
  • Air that feels weak or fails to travel evenly throughout the space
  • Signs of short cycling, where the system repeatedly starts and stops quickly

In many London buildings, installation challenges are heightened by factors such as limited access routes, listed status, varying ceiling heights, or mixed construction methods. A well-considered installation accounts for airflow balance, acoustic control, and visual integration. If the result feels ad hoc or lacks finish, it could affect performance more than expected.

In such cases, it may be worth consulting a technician familiar with these property types to review the installation with fresh eyes. That does not necessarily mean starting from scratch, but it could illuminate areas of preventable compromise.

Book a System Performance Check

Concerned your air conditioning is not performing correctly? Our qualified engineers can assess your system on site.

Understand System Compatibility with the Property

Sometimes, the system was installed correctly but simply does not suit the property’s structural or usage characteristics. This often relates to decisions made early in the planning stage.

For example, large open-plan rooms with high ceilings may require ducted systems or multiple units to circulate air effectively. Conversely, small partitioned spaces can overcool quickly if fitted with systems sized for larger volumes.

Matching system type to building layout involves more than just BTU capacity. Insulation levels, glazing quality, sun exposure, and room usage patterns play significant roles.

In London’s older building stock, retrofitting a system often requires unconventional routing or compromises to maintain aesthetics. While visual discretion is important, choosing compact units or low-profile installations over appropriate capacity can trade style for effectiveness.

Poor performance does not always suggest a fault. It may instead reflect a mismatch between the system and the property’s needs.

Checking for Early System Faults or Defects

Air conditioning systems, like any complex appliance, can develop genuine faults even shortly after installation. While not common, early-stage defects should not be ruled out, especially when other possibilities have been addressed.

Possible early issues include:

  • Refrigerant leaks causing poor cooling
  • Incorrect pressure or refrigerant charge
  • Thermostat sensors that misread the indoor environment
  • Manufacturing defects affecting internal components
  • Transport damage that was not visible at install
  • Faults that only become obvious under full operating load
  • Loose electrical connections preventing consistent communication between components

In some cases, the system may show error codes or behave erratically, such as turning on and off repeatedly or failing to respond to commands.

If something feels faulty rather than mismatched, involve a qualified technician sooner rather than later. Documenting the behaviour, including times, sounds, and outcomes, can help inform diagnosis.

Pro Tip: Photograph system setup areas including unit placement and pipework to assist a technician with remote diagnostics.

Reviewing the Maintenance and Handover Process

A system’s early performance also depends on how it was introduced, tested, and explained. Commissioning is not just a technical formality; it serves to verify that the system operates as designed.

A proper handover should include:

  1. A full commissioning test with documented results
  2. Explanation of basic controls and programming features
  3. Advice on filter access and care
  4. Confirmation of zoning or unit distribution
  5. Instructions on temperature modes and transitions between heating and cooling
  6. A walkthrough of smart or automated functions, where applicable
  7. Information on when to request a follow-up check after usage begins

If this handover stage was rushed or informal, some usage issues may trace back to that point. It is reasonable to ask for clarification or a review if documentation is lacking.

Early care also matters. Filters may need checking after initial usage, especially in dusty environments or construction-adjacent locations.

Knowing When and How to Escalate the Issue

If you have reviewed usage, installation, and visible performance limits and the system still underdelivers, it is worth escalating in a measured, documented way.

Steps to take include:

  1. Compile a written or digital log Note what happens, when it occurs, and how it affects comfort. Include temperature readings or pictures if relevant.
  2. Contact the installer professionally Communicate clearly without blame. Focus on facts and observations.
  3. Request a performance reassessment Ask if a post-installation inspection or follow-up can be arranged.
  4. Know your warranty pathway If the issue relates to a component or manufacturer element, the installer may coordinate support on your behalf.
  5. Seek a second opinion if needed Particularly for complex properties, another technician may offer a fresh perspective without conflict.

Good contractors will typically welcome the opportunity to revisit their work and address any legitimate performance concerns. The process should feel cooperative rather than corrective.

Request Installation Review

Unsure about the quality of your installation? We offer impartial reviews tailored for London homes.

Planning for Long-Term Performance and Peace of Mind

After resolving immediate concerns, attention naturally shifts toward sustaining a consistent and comfortable indoor climate.

Proactive measures include:

  • Scheduling seasonal system check-ups
  • Cleaning or replacing filters on a defined schedule
  • Monitoring energy behaviour for unusual trends
  • Adjusting zoning or programming with seasonal usage changes
  • Staying familiar with control interfaces, especially in smart-enabled systems

Performance tends to feel effortless when a system is properly maintained. Issues such as airflow imbalance or inconsistent temperatures often surface gradually if maintenance is overlooked.

Working with a technician who understands your property’s layout and system can save time and discomfort in the long term. Consistency of service builds familiarity, and familiarity often prevents future problems.

In many cases across North West and West London, providers like RightAir Solutions integrate maintenance and oversight into the original system lifecycle. This allows clients to stay focused on living or working in the space, rather than on managing the equipment behind it.

Set Up Routine Maintenance

Prevent future issues by arranging a regular maintenance plan. We work with your system and property type.

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RightAir Solutions

32 Donnington Rd, London NW10 3QU
 
020 3886 2326
 
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