When winter is over, and once again, it is time for you to turn on your AC, the last thing you want is the unpleasant surprise of finding out that your AC is not cooling properly. Before panicking and calling for Houston AC repair service, let’s see if there is something you can do to get your AC cooling properly once again. Here is a list of issues that you may be experiencing and suggestions on how to resolve them.
Thermostat Set Incorrectly
The first step when you find that the AC is not cooling your home is to approach the thermostat and verify it is set at the right temperature. You may discover that it is set incorrectly. To fix this, make sure the thermostat is not set to “off” and also confirm that the fan is set to “auto.”
Unable to Read the Thermostat
A blank screen on your thermostat may easily be resolved by changing its batteries. If you have recently changed them, you may have an electrical issue. Call your AC technician to come and have a look.
Cold Air Is Not Reaching All the Rooms
Check every single vent and make sure they are all open. Closed vents do not allow air to enter every room and may make it harder for your AC to cool the house. If you recently rearranged furniture, you may now have a blocked AC vent by a bookcase or another tall object. If all vents are open and unobstructed, you may leak the ductwork. Call your AC professional to fix this.
Clogged Filters
It is important to be vigilant when changing your AC filters. When they get clogged, the equipment may not work, and you may be breathing air that is not clean. Replace filters frequently and vacuum any dust or debris collected on your vents.
Warm Air Coming Out Of the AC
If you have followed all the steps above and still feel warm air coming out of the vents, there is not much you can do on your own. Call an AC professional and explain the situation. They need to come and diagnose the problem.
Leaks In Your Ductwork
The ductwork is what makes you enjoy cool air all over the house. However, when there is a leak along the way, cool air may not reach every corner. With time, holes and tears may develop within the ductwork, allowing air to escape before reaching its final destination. A sure sign that you are dealing with ductwork leaks is when you notice that the air from the vents is weak and cannot cool the rooms as it should. If you look into the ductwork and can see a small hole or tear, you may be able to patch it yourself. Otherwise, it is best to leave this problem to the professionals.
High Temperatures
When the thermometer outside exceeds 95 degrees, asking your AC to truly cool the house might be impossible. Your instinct may be to lower the thermostat to the 60s, but you must know that an AC is incapable of getting your house over 20 degrees lower than the outside temperature. Instead, help your AC do its work by closing all drapes and shades, turning on ceiling fans if you have them, planting shady trees around the property always being careful not to block the condenser unit.
Your AC is Old and Inefficient
If your air conditioning system is over ten years old and unable to provide you and your loved ones with the cool air you need, the time might have come for you to replace the unit. As time goes by, it is common for these appliances to stop performing as efficiently as they once did.
Get an HVAC company to come out to your home and give you an estimate for a new one. Although you may find the investment a bit steep, you should know that new units are much more efficient than their predecessors; they work much more silently and will help lower your utility bills.
