Summer in Florida is fun mostly for tourists. For the rest of us, we have to deal with the feeling that we’ve been swimming in a warm swamp all day. This is why it’s crucial to have an air conditioner we can rely on. Otherwise a pleasant evening at home can turn into a bad humor fest for everyone in the family.
Now that summer is upon us, it’s good to be aware of common AC problems that are more likely to happen during this time of year. Knowing what you’re facing is the best way to properly prepare for it. Therefore, we’ve made a list of them for easy reference:
5 AC Problems That Commonly Occur During Summer
1. Air Conditioner Takes Longer to Cool Your Home
The hotter it is outside, the hotter it’ll be inside your home. And the hotter it is inside your home, the harder your air conditioner will work absorbing all that heat to turn it into cool air.
In order to reduce the amount of heat that comes into your home, close the shades or curtains in rooms that aren’t in use. Also look into installing better window treatments. Depending on your home’s location, building materials, and insulation, the investment may very well be worth it.
Also pay attention to your home’s insulation, especially on your ceilings, since that’s where most of the heat will come from.
2. High Energy Bills
An air conditioner will keep running until your home’s temperature reaches what you set on the thermostat. If, for example, extra heat is coming in from doors and windows or if your insulation is not adequate, your AC will keep running, resulting in higher energy bills.
Note that in addition to heat coming inside the home, something else that may cause your AC to work harder than it should have to is dirty air filters, so pay even more attention to replacing them regularly during the summer.
3. Clogged Condenser Lines
With summer comes higher humidity, and with higher humidity, you get a fertile ground for algae and mildew to grow inside an air conditioner’s condenser lines. You can prevent this from happening by regularly distilling the lines with distilled white vinegar, but once the mold starts to grow, you’ll need more in-depth cleaning.
4. Worn Out Fan Belts
In particularly hot summers, an AC unit will have to work harder than usual, since there will be more heat inside your home. You’ll know a belt is worn out if your air conditioner squeals when you turn it on. It is also more likely to happen on older models (the average lifespan of an air conditioner is 15 to 20 years).
5. AC Refrigerant Leaks
Hot and humid weather can cause even the sturdiest of materials to wear down. This includes air conditioner refrigerant lines. If you hear a hissing sound coming from your AC, and it suddenly feels like it’s not cooling your home properly, call an HVAC professional immediately. Not doing so may result in refrigerant leak poisoning.
Schedule Preventative HVAC Maintenance to Avoid These Issues
In order to keep your AC cooling efficiently, there are things you can do on your own, and there are things that require the assistance of an HVAC professional.
For the DIY items, you can do the following:
- Regularly change the air filters.
- Regularly cleaning the condenser unit.
- Trim shrubbery surrounding your condenser unit. Leaves, branches, and bird droppings from nearby trees and bushes can obstruct airflow.
- Unbend condenser fins with a fin comb.
We recommend hiring a professional for the following maintenance items:
- Cleaning condenser lines.
- Inspecting refrigerant levels.
- Inspecting fan blades for wear or damage.
- Checking motor for proper lubrication
- Inspecting electrical connections.
Contact Colman Heating & Air for Preventative HVAC Maintenance or AC Service Repair in Brevard County
At Colman, we understand that sometimes, AC issues happen during the most inconvenient of times. This is why we have a 24/7 AC emergency line. Call us to schedule routine HVAC maintenance to prevent issues during the summer, or if you need assistance ASAP for something that already happened.
24-HR Emergency Service (321) 269-4565
