The warm weather is here, and it’s only going to get hotter over the next two months. Your air conditioning system is going to earn its keep—or at least you hope so.
But what if it isn’t? If you’re noticing the house feels warmer than it usually does in summer, or there are hot spots in rooms that are supposed to be cooled, your first instinct will probably be to turn down the thermostat farther than its standard setting. We don’t recommend this. If the AC is having to run longer to keep you cool, there’s something wrong with the air conditioner. Below, we’re going to examine a few of the potential reasons you’ve got an air conditioner that can’t keep up.
The AC is old and worn down
If the air conditioning system is struggling to do the job it once was able to do easily, it may simply be that the system is too old. Most central ACs can last from 10 to 15 years. When a system is more than 15 years old, it’s not worthwhile to continue to put money into fixing problems. If you have an AC that can’t cope with the heat that’s been around for a decade and a half, we recommend calling HVAC experts to replace it.
The air filter hasn’t been changed out recently
People often forget to regularly replace the air filter in an AC, and it’s a major cause of a drop in system performance. Check the filter to see if it’s seriously clogged up with dust, lint, and other debris and replace it with a new one if it is. (Then continue to do this every one to three months.)
The ducts are damaged
The ducts are a part of the ventilation system that homeowners don’t often think about, but they can sustain damage easily and begin to allow air to escape. Less cool air will start reaching the vents in this case, resulting in poor cooling performance. The best solution, in this case, is to have HVAC professionals locate the leaks and seal up any holes or re-connect loose sections.
The AC has lost refrigerant
An air conditioner should retain the same amount of refrigerant (known as its “charge”) for its entire service life. But leaks can occur along the copper lines, allowing the refrigerant gas to escape. Losing refrigerant will not only lower the cooling power of an AC, it puts the compressor in danger of overheating—and that usually means the whole system must be replaced.
The outdoor coils are dirty
The outdoor coil (the condenser coil) is where the AC releases heat to the outside and cools down the refrigerant. A layer of dirt or grime along the coil will restrict the release of heat, and this will end up affecting indoor cooling power. The coil will have to be cleaned off, but don’t just aim a garden hose at the cabinet and blast water into it. Let HVAC technicians use chemical cleaners to safely and thoroughly remove the grime.
You can trust us for any air conditioning services in Cranford, NJ, you may need to continue to enjoy a cool, pleasant summer.
Don’t wait to contact us for your AC repairs needs. Air Creations, Inc. serves Central and Southern New Jersey. “We Do It Right!”
