When it comes to air conditioning in Tampa, you expect one simple result from your system—relief from the unbearable heat. Now that spring is officially here and summer is never far behind in our parts, your AC system is going to be taking on the bulk of its annual work to keep your home cool and comfortable.
But what if your cooling system isn’t actually doing its job? If you discover that you have to run your AC almost constantly just to get a moderate amount of relief, or if you’ve discovered that rooms are staying too hot, then you might have a problem with your system. There are a number of possible causes for this, but we’re going to cover the top 5 reasons your AC system may struggle this summer.
1. It Was Not Properly Installed
Is your air conditioner fairly new? Was it installed by professionals? If not, there are a number of issues you might run into this summer. For one, you can’t be sure if it was properly sized. You likely understand that too small of a system can’t adequately cool your living space, but did you know that too large of a system can be just as detrimental?
It will go through a process called short-cycling, where it rapidly turns off and on, and never completes a full cooling cycle. This causes your cooling system to work harder than it should have to, causing inefficient operation and potentially even a premature breakdown.
2. You Skipped Maintenance
If you’ve had your air conditioner for a year or longer and haven’t had a maintenance session done on it yet, then you’re making a mistake. Maintenance allows our technicians to fully inspect your system, checking for any repair or adjustment needs, and cleaning as we go along. This helps your system to work as efficiently and effectively as possible, and without it, you could run into a number of various problems.
3. You Don’t Change the Air Filter Often Enough
There’s a common misconception among many homeowners that the air filter within their HVAC system upon installation is there to protect their indoor air quality, and as such it only needs to be changed out every once in awhile—perhaps just during maintenance.
The air filter is actually there to protect the inside components of your air conditioner from dirt and debris that can impact its performance. It should be changed out or cleaned every 1-3 months depending on the level of contaminants in your home. A clogged air filter can restrict airflow and cause your cooling system to work harder than it should have to in order to do its job.
4. You Have a Refrigerant Leak
Another misconception some homeowners have is that refrigerant is something that runs out, depletes, much like gasoline in a car. However, your air conditioner is actually supplied with enough refrigerant upon installation that it should last its entire lifespan. If your system is losing refrigerant, it means there’s a leak.
The location of the leak must be found, and then promptly repaired. Otherwise, you will eventually notice issues like a loss of cooling power and/or a frozen evaporator coil. Neither of these situations is good news for your AC!
5. Breached Ductwork
If you’re using a forced-air cooling system, then it makes sense that your ductwork should be in decent condition. If you have holes or loose connections in your air ducts, they won’t be able to adequately carry the cooled air throughout your living space, which means you’ll be paying for conditioned air that you aren’t receiving.
To schedule your next maintenance session or if you’re in need of AC repairs, don’t hesitate to contact IERNA’s Heating & Cooling!