Does My Air Conditioner Need A Checkup?
With the end of winter in sight, like most Texans, you’re probably looking forward to some warmer days ahead. But before long, the inevitable, sometimes unbearable Texas heat will be knocking at your door and you’ll be stuck wondering why you ever wished away the cooler weather.
As the cold weather starts to fade, it’s only natural to make summertime plans for vacation, cookouts and long weekends, but what about plans for your HVAC system? If you plan on using your AC over the summer (and you know you will) then you should definitely plan on scheduling a routine checkup for your air conditioning unit. ACs will often give signs that they need attention or are beginning to fail. Some of these signs include:
- Continually running
- Not producing cold air
- Humidity inside your home
- Increase in electricity bills
- Noise coming from the unit
AC Unit Runs Continuously
An air conditioner that functions properly should turn on and off in correlation with the settings on your home’s thermostat. If your AC is running continuously, it’s a sign that something deeper is going on and should be inspected. A few potential causes could be that your thermostat itself needs new batteries. If a battery upgrade doesn’t fix the problem and your AC continues to run, you should check the status of the condenser coils.
Dirty coils will force your AC unit to run continuously, which requires more and more energy. While it is possible to clean your air conditioner coils yourself, there is technical labor involved and it may be better to leave it to a professional HVAC service that can carry out a full maintenance inspection to catch any other potential issues.
Air Produced Is Not Cold
When your AC powers on the air coming out should be cold. Warm air or lukewarm air being produced could point to clogged air filters, dirty evaporator coils, or a refrigerant leak. If the air produced isn’t cool enough to cool down your home your AC will continue to run to satisfy the desired temperature setting on the thermostat.
Your Home Is Humid
In the midst of summer’s heat and humidity, the last thing you want to deal with is humidity in your home. Escaping the outdoor humidity should be made easy by going inside but if your air conditioner is on the fritz, then you know the humidity inside your home can feel almost as bad as the outside! If you’ve noticed an increase in humidity in your home, you should check your AC’s condenser coils. Condenser coils use refrigerants to remove heat and humidity from inside of your home and transport it outside. Without these coils in working order, heat and humidity remains trapped in your home.
Of course circumstances such as a full house, going in or outside several times, or a day full of cooking or baking will take a toll on the humidity levels inside, but in general, if your AC is working at full capacity, the humidity in your home should be at a comfortable level.
Increase In Electricity Bills
With each new season comes a new bill for the amount of electricity your HVAC system requires to run properly. The amount of electricity your HVAC system needs to work should stay relatively similar from one winter season to the next. If you notice a considerable jump in electricity bills, this is one of the most common signs that your AC is working in overdrive.
Air conditioners should run intermittently based on when your thermostat triggers them to turn on. ACs that aren’t functioning properly will drive up electricity costs since no matter how hard they work, they won’t be able to keep your home cool.
AC Is Making Noise
When your air conditioner is working well, it should produce a smooth, low hum. If it starts to make any screeching, squeaking, clicking or other out of the ordinary sounds, you should make plans for an experienced HVAC technician to come take a look before the warmer months get any closer.
Seasonal Air Conditioner Maintenance In Fort Worth And Surrounding Area
Summer is just around the corner and it’s not too early to schedule a routine maintenance checkup for your HVAC system. In fact, waiting to schedule a maintenance check might put you on a long list of other homeowner’s who also put off HVAC maintenance. Rather than risk the summer heat coming before your AC is fully functioning reliably, give the team at Superior AC & Heat a call today! With over 40 years in business, the Superior AC & Heat team has vast experiences with all makes and models of air conditioner units and we work hard and efficiently to diagnose any issues your AC might be experiencing. Call us today at (817) 646-8200 to schedule your AC tune-up before you’re stuck waiting!
