One object that is synonymous with summertime is the air conditioner. Families across the globe rely on the luxury of their home air conditioning units to stay cool during the hot days of the summer. Unfortunately, sometimes issues may happen with your air conditioning system, and understanding what to do in the event of these issues can help to get it back up and running sooner rather than later.
Inadequate Airflow
If you place your hand next to the supply vents running throughout the rooms in your home and you don’t feel a blast of cold air, it’s likely that your system has inadequate airflow. There are many different culprits to this type of issue, so you should start with the simple ones in order to rule out possible causes.
The first place that you want to look is your air filter. If your air filter has been in use for several months, it’s likely that it’s clogged. If your air filter looks fine, it may be an obstruction like a rodent nest in your ductwork. If your air filter and ductwork look fine, the problem may be with your outdoor compressor unit. Head outside, and see if any of your shrubs or tree limbs have overgrown the area around the compressor unit. If so, remove them. If not, it’s time to call a professional to help.
Blowing Warm Air
There’s nothing worse than feeling warm air coming out of your air conditioning system. The first thing that you want to do is head to your thermostat and ensure that you have it set to the cooling function instead of the warming function. If everything looks good at your thermostat, it’s likely that you have a more complex issue like a low refrigerant charge. It’s best to call in an air conditioning professional to help assess the problem.
System Leaks
Your home air conditioning unit is meant to be fully encased. If you notice that there’s a puddle lying underneath your indoor unit, it’s a sign that there’s an issue. Be careful when assessing the puddle because it may not be water but refrigerant.
If you believe that the leak is due to water, it’s likely that your drainpipe or the drain itself is clogged. To fix a clog, you’ll want to mix up a 50/50 solution of bleach and water. Pour it down the drainpipe and the drain. If you believe that the puddle is refrigerant, you’ll need to contact an air conditioning professional. Refrigerant can be dangerous, so it’s best to leave it up to the pros.
Bad Air Quality
Air conditioner sickness is a real thing, and many people are starting to realize that they’re suffering from it. If the air quality inside of your home is poor, it’s going to have a negative effect on your family’s health. You may notice this in the form of new respiratory problems or severely impacted pre-existing respiratory conditions.
It’s crucial to think of your home as a closed-off environment. The same air keeps circulating through your ductwork and the rooms in your home. You can remedy poor air quality issues in several different ways. One of the most common is adding an air purifier to your home air conditioning system.
Higher Electricity Bills
It’s perfectly reasonable to expect an increase in your electricity bills during the hot summer months due to the need to run your air conditioning system. However, if you notice that your electricity bills are much higher than they were the year before and that the summertime weather seems to be around the same, you likely have a problem you need to address with your system.
One of the biggest culprits of making your system work much harder than it needs to is a dirty air filter. Your AC system will have to work harder to force air through the filter when it’s clogged. Your air filter should be changed once every three months at the most. Homes that have pets or that are highly trafficked should consider changing their air filters more often. Checking your air filter each month is a good rule of thumb to follow.
Reliable AC Repair
When you need reliable air conditioner repair in Richmond, Affordable Service Solutions Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help. We offer quality cooling and heating maintenance, repairs, and installation. Just give us a call today, and we’ll be happy to serve you.
