Summertime AC Solutions
Sweet summertime is right around the corner. When a heatwave is coming, the last thing you want to stop working during the hot summer months is for your air conditioning to stop working. That is why Trust Heating & Air has your summertime AC solutions.
Before anything happens to your AC this summer, pause planning the pool party and check the status of your system. It’s essential for the AC to be set, prepared, and set up properly for the summer heat.
Why Your Air Conditioning Isn’t Cooling
It is true. Panic can really set in when you have friends and family over in the summertime. Staying informed and knowledgeable about your AC will help in times of trouble. Without further ado– these are the top reasons your air conditioning isn’t cooling:
When the AC is Constantly Running
Every AC system works a little bit harder on hotter days, especially if it’s humid outside. If your system seems to be constantly running and is cooling less adequately, you may have a problem.
An undersized unit can also struggle when it’s in high demand. You may also think about your unit is low on refrigerant levels, which can cause longer and less effective cooling cycles.
Another thing to check is your air filter. If it is dirty, the air has a hard time passing through and allowing it to cool properly.
An AC Starting and Stopping
If your air conditioning system is constantly turning on, turning off over and over, or altogether it will not turn on, you may have an oversized system for your house.
Low refrigerant levels or a refrigerant leak is also something that causes starting and stopping in the AC system.
An excessively dirty or clogged air filter and a frozen or dirty evaporator coil will also affect your AC system, causing the start and stop. Replacing or cleaning the filter may help but when it comes to the evaporator coil an AC professional will need to be called.
Weak or No Airflow
A multistage or two-stage cooling system often runs longer on a lower fan setting. If the indoor temperature of your house matches the temperature you set on the thermostat, your system is working correctly.
If your system appears to have no airflow or the airflow is weak, and the temperature continues to rise inside, hot air from outside is coming in somehow.
A problem like this may suggest an issue with the indoor unit’s fan motor, blower, or dirty air filter.
The first thing you can do is replace your air filter and then reevaluate the way your system is functioning. If there is no improvement, it is time to call a professional.
Those Summertime Higher Energy Bills
During the hot summer months, your system works harder and more often, so you can see higher electric bills. But suppose your electric bill seems unusually high compared to previous summer months. In that case, it might be time to look around for the issue.
To make sure that your AC unit is running efficiently, check your air filters and outdoor condenser coil for clogged vents or excessive dirt. If all of this appears normal, it is time for a professional to look.
When they come out to check your system, they will see if there’s any buildup of ice on the outdoor coil or on the copper refrigerant tubing.
AC Not Running at All
This may seem like a silly step, but it saves you time and potentially money. Ensure you go to your thermostat and the system hasn’t been turned off. After that, you’ll want to check your electrical panel to ensure a fuse hasn’t been blown.
Also, check your air filter. Some systems come with a built-in sensor that will shut down the operation of an AC unit to prevent damage to components like evaporator coils, condenser coils, and compressors.
How to Prepare Your AC for Summertime
Change the Air Filter– Each home AC system will have at least one air filter that will need to be changed regularly. The purpose of the filter is to trap unwanted airborne pollution, so they aren’t floating around your home while you and just them. After about 30 days, this air filter will trap many airborne pollutants and become clogged.
It only takes a couple of minutes to take out the existing air filter to inspect its condition. If you hold it up and see the light coming through it, the filter still has time to process the air in your home. If you can’t see through it and dust is visibly built up, it’s time to replace the filter.
For filters, you can choose between washable, fiberglass, pleated, and HEPA air filters.
Clean the Inside Unit– To know if your air condition unit runs out of its optimum level and needs to be cleaned appropriately. The first place to start with cleaning is inside. You must turn off the circuit breaker attached to your AC system to prevent electrical injuries or problems.
Take off the access panel from the indoor air conditioning unit. When you start cleaning, go for the evaporator coils first. As time passes, debris attaches itself to the evaporator coils. The best cleaner for these coils is a foaming cleaner specifically designed for the coil. As the cleaner begins to work, the debris will fall into the coil’s drain pan.
Clean the Outside Unit– Now that you’ve finished cleaning the inside unit, it’s time to move out inside. Start by taking off the AC grill. Take a hose and wash out any loose debris that you see on the fins, compressor, or any other components of the unit.
You need a special cleaner for the condenser coils, and you can pick it up at your local hardware store or order it offline.
Straighten the Fins– The outdoor compressor will have a lot of metal fins on it. There are small pieces that easily bend. If the fins are bent, they will not properly get rid of the heat from your AC system. To fix this, all you need to do is use a fin comb and straighten out the bent fins.
You can buy the Fen Combs at a hardware store. But before you buy one, get out the tape measure and count the number of fans that are in a single square inch. That is the way the combs are sold.
Clean Around the Outdoor Unit– once you have finished cleaning the outside unit, put the AC grill cover back on. Now, look around the unit to find any loose debris, like sticks and leaves, that need to be removed.
If you have tree branches or bushes around the unit within a couple of feet, they need to be trimmed. It’s important to have a good 2-foot diameter of space around the outdoor unit. This ensures proper free flow of air.
Program Thermostat– now that all the cleaning is done it’s time to program your thermostat and get it on schedule. When setting your thermostat consider setting it to 78 degrees when you know that you will be home. When you aren’t home, program your thermostat to a higher temperature. This will ensure your AC system is running as energy efficiently as possible.
Summertime Maintenance Tips
Top maintenance tips for your unit:
- Change and Clean Filters
- Clean the Area
- Seal any Openings
- Let the Unit Rest
- Use Ceiling Fans
- Use Window Tints or Films
- Invest in a Home Warranty
Summertime AC Solutions Near You
If your air conditioner has stopped running, try not to assume the worst. Do a little investigating of your own, as we mentioned above, and you might be surprised that this is an issue that you can resolve.
If you prefer a professional to come out, do not hesitate to call Trust Heating & Air. Even something minor can lead to an emergency if it is not addressed in a timely manner. The longer you wait, the bigger the issue could get. We are licensed and certified for all types of jobs.
