Mid-summer heat can be tough to bear in North Central Florida. The combination of high temperatures and high relative humidity means sweat and plenty of it. Fortunately, if your house has a quality central air conditioning system able to handle the high temperatures, you’ll have a fantastic oasis to escape from the worst conditions of the summer.
Unless…
And that unless is why we have this post. You may discover your air conditioning system can’t keep up with this summer’s heat and humidity. You can hear it running, feel cool air coming from the vents, but it’s just not enough. The house is too hot and stuffy. What’s going on?
The air filter is clogged
Whenever an air conditioner isn’t working as well as it should, the first thing to check is the air filter on the HVAC cabinet. Slide the filter out to see if it’s thickly clogged with dust and lint. Heavy clogging blocks warm air from entering the AC to be cooled off, which in turn means less cooled air sent into the supply ducts. Put in a new filter and make sure to change filters regularly. (We recommend every one to three months.)
Air handler malfunctions
The air handler of the HVAC system contains the blower fan and blower motor responsible for sending air through the AC to be cooled and then into the supply ducts. If the blower fan loses power, airflow through the ventilation system will drop and reduce the cool air reaching the rooms.
Refrigerant loss through leaks
Refrigerant is the vital chemical necessary to transfer heat from the air in the house to the outside. An air conditioner has a set amount of refrigerant, called its charge, and if it starts to escape through leaks, it means a drop in the evaporator coil’s ability to remove both heat and moisture from the air. This is a serious issue that requires fast professional repairs since an AC isn’t designed to run with a low charge. Eventually, the compressor will overheat and burn out.
Duct leakage
The trouble may not be the AC itself, but in the ductwork of the ventilation system. Air leaks along the ducts allow cooled air to escape and humid, warm air to enter. This not only means poorer cooling, it wastes energy since 30% of the air you’ve already paid to cool is escaping before it reaches the rooms. Call our professionals for duct testing and sealing to solve this problem.
Dying air conditioner
When an air conditioning system can’t do the job it once did, it’s possibly because it has worn down past the point of usefulness. An air conditioner that’s given annual maintenance from licensed technicians can often last 15 years, sometimes longer. If you have an AC that’s more than 15 years old, a decline in cooling usually means it’s time to schedule a replacement. Speak to an expert to learn what your best options are.
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