Nobody wants to deal with cooling issues in the summer. You want reliable comfort and manageable energy bills. Let’s help you achieve that by exploring the most common summertime AC issues and what you can do about them.
Uneven Cooling
A Central AC should provide consistent cooling throughout your entire home. When that doesn’t occur, you may experience warm spots along with sharp temperature differences between floors. A seasonal tune-up will ensure your blower is functioning well and your coils are clean.
Ensure proper circulation by running ceiling fans and opening vents and interior doors. If the problem persists, it could be an issue with the building envelope, including leaky ducts. Other potential problems include a clogged filter and low refrigerant pressure.
Long Cycling
AC cycles vary from home to home and system to system. That said, a typical cycle is between 10 and 15 minutes long. Long cycling is when an AC runs for extended periods.
More often than not, this is a thermostat control issue. Ensure you’ve set the thermostat to an appropriate temperature and a technician has cleaned and calibrated it. Long cycling may also indicate refrigerant micro-leaks that affect performance but aren’t great enough to disable the system.
High Humidity Levels
Some humidification occurs as a byproduct of cooling, but ACs aren’t humidifiers. They should keep relative humidity (RH) at a comfortable level, but you may be less comfortable on particularly high RH days. If it’s a persistent problem, consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier. A sudden problem may indicate a clogged filter or dirty coils.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
ACs have an evaporator coil that’s integral to the refrigeration process. Without seasonal cleaning, it can be prone to microbial growth. You may notice it as fleeting mustiness when the AC cycles on, and it can worsen over time. Another potential issue is excessive dust buildup in your ducts. It can make a house smell state and eventually lead to persistent unpleasant odors.
Short Cycling
Short cycling is when an AC turns on and off more than several times an hour. It may indicate an airflow issue, such as a clogged filter or an obstruction in the outdoor unit. Short cycling may also suggest overheating.
When the AC gets too hot, a protective device trips it. The AC then begins running again once it’s cooled down. In any case, short cycling is quite serious because it can cause system deterioration and even component failure. Turn the system off, and don’t use it again until a technician services it.
System Won’t Start
This problem often indicates either a power issue or a condensate drain clog. If you have a clog, you’ll need a technician to clear it out. If it’s power-related, check the circuit breaker. If it’s tripped, you can reset it once, but don’t keep resetting it. It indicates a more serious electrical issue, such as a worn wire or bad control board.
AC Runs but Blows Warm Air
Ensure that the thermostat settings are OK and check the filter. If those aren’t the issues, it’s best to stop using the AC until a technician services it. A refrigerant leak may cause this behavior. You may also be experiencing issues with the outdoor compressor pump.
Loud or Unusual Noises
Loud noises outside the home often indicate a compressor pump that’s hard starting. That can lead to serious damage to the pump. Rumbling noises indoors may indicate loose ducts. Other noises are often related to the blower, such as grinding or squealing.
Leaks and Excess Condensation
You should see the condensation draining outside the home. It should evaporate relatively quickly albeit slower on high-humidity days. Still, if you have a large puddle, it may indicate that something is wrong. Leaks inside the home indicate a problem with the condensate drainage. A failed wet switch may not be protecting the drip pan from overflowing.
Reliable AC Solutions in O’Fallon and Beyond
Swiss Air Heating & Cooling, LLC is an HVAC company located in O’Fallon, MO. We’ve served St. Charles County and the surrounding areas for over 35 years. Our technicians perform model-specific cooling tune-ups that will help prevent these problems.
We offer a maintenance plan that will help you save money while making AC maintenance more convenient. You can also count on us for AC troubleshooting and precision repairs. Call today or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
