How old is your air conditioning unit? Is it under warranty? The cruel months of summer are just around the corner. If you haven't been thinking about your air conditioning unit since last summer, then you might face a few issues once the summer months heat up.
Sometimes air conditioning units break down, even if they have shown no issues in previous years. With regular maintenance, you can typically keep a high-efficiency air conditioning unit for decades. These tips should help you troubleshoot and understand your A/C issues.
A/C Not Working
A/C Not WorkingIf you have ever come home to a house burning up from lack of air conditioning, you know the panic.
You immediately go to the thermostat only to find that it has been turned off, or maybe the thermostat is fine, but it's just not blowing any air. There are a number of reasons that can cause an A/C unit to malfunction.
You can also check the circuit breaker and test the condenser unit to make sure that it is set up to run correctly. If you see any debris in your unit, then you may need to turn off the power and clean out the debris before starting your A/C unit once more.
If your A/C has stopped working, it's best to check the thermostat first and see if it's set correctly. However, if it is configured correctly, but you still aren't receiving any air, then you should check the condenser unit outside.
If the fan isn't moving even though you have set the temperature down low, then you might need to call a repair technician to take a look.
Blowing Hot or Mild Air
When you want air conditioning, you actually want cold air. That's the whole point! However, if an A/C unit can't adequately cool your space, then it's usually a problem with the airflow. The first place to start looking is the indoor air conditioning unit and air filters.
If you have dirty filters, it may be working too hard to force air through. If everything looks good inside, then it's time to check the outside. A high-efficiency air conditioner should not have issues with fans breaking. However, if you have an older unit, you may find a broken fan or even frozen blades.
Too Loud
Sometimes A/C units can become clogged with debris or sound like they are spinning too fast. If your air conditioner is making a strange noise every time it starts up or turns off, then you may need to check with a technician. Strange noises can be a sign of trouble for any air conditioning unit.
A/C Bill is Too High
How much do you pay for your A/C? It's a question that can keep a homeowner up at night when the bills are due.
Air conditioners that are old or out of warranty may need maintenance, and usually, these units will continue to cost a lot of money for them to continue to run. If you service your system prior to summer, you will likely have a lower bill overall.
Thermostat is Broken
You may need to replace the batteries in your thermostat if you find that it isn't working properly. In addition, the placement of a thermostat is also a determining factor in how long your air conditioning unit runs.
If you change the location of the thermostat, you can improve the overall efficiency of the AC by only forcing it to run when it's necessary to cool your home.
If you still have an older model, you may end up paying too much for running an air conditioning unit that doesn't work with your thermostat any longer. You can also find cheaper, newer thermostats on Amazon that are programmable. A cheaper thermostat will help you cut down on AC costs throughout the day.
Reducing Energy Costs with A High-Efficiency Air Conditioner
New air conditioners that have high-efficiency ratings are going to lower costs on your utility bills. Typically these high-efficiency air conditioning units will have an Energy Star rating.
Energy Star ratings also mean that they have a SEER efficiency level of 14 or more. SEER Ratings represent the potential effectiveness of a system, as long as it exists within certain conditions. Your system's efficiency may be different depending on the correct equipment sizing for your home.
Proper installation is also important to remember when looking at various air conditioner units.
For quality A/C repair and installation, please contact Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning in Boston, MA at (617) 566-6990 to get help installing your unit before summer heats up!
