When the worst of the summer heat and storms move through the area, you want reassurance that your AC is ready. It seems that air conditioners tend to fail during the worst heat waves and tropical storms, leaving residents in potentially dangerous heat. Consider these 12 signs that may indicate that your AC isn’t quite ready to deal with the worst of Florida’s summer.
1. Your Air Filter Looks Like It’s Shedding
Start by checking your air filter. If it is visibly clogged or dirty, chances are it won’t pass sufficient air into your system. This results in ineffective cooling and excessive strain, especially during significant heat waves.
The standard 1- and 2-inch filter usually needs replacing every 30 to 90 days. If you can’t remember when you changed it last, plan to do so before you’re left sweltering in your home.
2. You Feel Little Air From Your Vents
If you have a single-stage air conditioner, whether central or ductless, it should circulate enough air that you’ll easily feel it. If it’s not, it means there’s an airflow restriction somewhere in the system. While this could be a dirty air filter, it could also signal a frozen evaporator coil or a malfunctioning circulating fan.
It could also point to an obstructed return vent. Locate it and ensure it has sufficient space around it to allow air in, usually 6 inches or more. If that’s not the case, call a professional to troubleshoot the issue.
3. You Notice Visible Ice on Your Outdoor Unit
When operating properly, your unit shouldn’t ice over. Ice on the outdoor unit or any exposed refrigerant line may indicate a refrigerant leak.
A professional technician has the proper equipment to test the refrigerant charge and determine if there is a leak. Additionally, they are trained on how to locate leaks and resolve them before recharging the system. To avoid substantial damage, shut your system down immediately if you notice visible ice on your unit.
4. You See a Puddle of Water Around Your Indoor Unit
Water around your indoor unit is a sign of trouble that could indicate an impending failure during hot weather. This may suggest your indoor evaporator coil is freezing up, overflowing the condensate pan when it thaws. A refrigerant leak, a clogged air filter or a compressor issue may be the underlying cause.
Additionally, it may indicate a clogged condensate drain. If your condensate pan isn’t draining well, consider flushing it.
Pour a solution of 50% distilled vinegar and 50% warm water into the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Next, flush the drain with water. If it backs up, call for a professional to inspect the drain for damage.
5. Weeds or Branches Surround Your Outdoor Unit
Your outdoor unit needs air moving through the coil to vent the heat that the refrigerant absorbed inside. Anything too close to the unit will obstruct the needed airflow, causing excess strain on the system.
If you notice any grass, weeds or branches near the unit, trim them back. Most manufacturers recommend keeping at least 2 feet around and 5 feet above the unit clear to be free from any obstruction.
6. You Can’t Remember When You Last Got Maintenance
Manufacturers recommend annual maintenance for their air conditioning systems, and many require it as a term of their factory warranty. If you can’t remember the last time you got maintenance, your system may be on the verge of failure, and you wouldn’t know.
Industry professionals recommend maintenance every spring. However, it’s never too late in the season if you missed it early on. During maintenance, a technician will clean, tune and test the system to keep it operating at its intended efficiency.
7. Your Thermostat Is Visibly Damaged or Significantly Worn
Like every part of your system, the thermostat has a limited-service life, usually 10 to 15 years. If your thermostat is visibly damaged or is old enough to show significant wear, it may not properly regulate cooling cycles. Consider replacing an aging thermostat with a newer, programmable digital model.
8. Your Unit Sounds Like It’s Making Spooky Sound Effects
You should only hear the whir of the fans, a hum from the compressor, and the clicks of components triggering when your system is working properly. When there’s a problem, it may emit sounds that are better suited for a Halloween display than your summer yard. These may include:
- Clunking, thunking and thudding
- Screeching or grinding
- Gurgling or bubbling
- Chattering or whining
9. Your Energy Bills Seem Unusually High
Energy consumption will fluctuate, partly because of the outside temperature and weather. As you watch your energy usage, any unexplained spikes may point to a problem with your system. These problems make it more susceptible to mid-heat wave failure.
10. Your System Seems to Turn Off Quickly
Standard air conditioners should run on 10-to-15-minute cooling cycles with 10 to 15 minutes between cycles, depending on the outdoor temperature. If your system shuts down within a minute or two of starting, an issue we call short cycling, there’s a significant problem.
Possible problems include insufficient refrigerant, a faulty sensor, a malfunctioning compressor or an airflow restriction. Short cycling adds substantial strain to the system, accelerating wear and reducing its effective service life. Shut down the system and call for a repair immediately.
11. It’s Always Feels Muggy in Your Home
Your air conditioner normally pulls moisture from the air because it condenses on the cold evaporator coil inside. Even during the most humid times over the summer, you should notice a substantial difference between the air inside and outside your home.
If the air constantly feels muggy, it may indicate that your evaporator coil isn’t getting cold enough or that there’s insufficient airflow through the system. Start by checking your filter to ensure air can get through. If that’s not the problem, call a technician to inspect your system and find the underlying issue.
12. Your AC Is Old
Air conditioners have an expected service life of 10 to 15 years. They may last longer, but usually lose their efficiency and have substantially more problems past this age. If your system is more than 20 years old, it’s time to consider replacing it.
Planning when you replace an old air conditioner allows you time to shop for the right system and take advantage of off-season deals. Additionally, you avoid paying higher labor charges or having fewer choices by waiting until mid-season.
Residents around Temple Terrace have turned to Ahoy! Cooling & Heating since 2010 to keep their homes comfortable during the oppressive summer. Our team prides itself on friendly and quality heating and AC maintenance, repair, installation and thermostat replacement. Call Ahoy! Cooling & Heating to schedule an AC maintenance or repair visit or a system replacement consultation with one of our expert technicians today. Be sure to ask us about our Stress-Free AC Program!
