A New Homeowners’ Guide to Spotting AC Trouble
You have several jobs to take care of when you move into a new home. Sign over the utilities, ensure you have homeowners’ insurance, hook up the internet…
Among all this, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is your air conditioner. But, if you’re new to our area, we’ve got news for you—you’re gonna wanna think about your air conditioner. Especially if you’ve never lived in a climate that gets above 75°F in the summer!
You and Your “New” Air Conditioner
Most homes are set up with a central air conditioning system in place. Of course, you might have a ductless system or a standard heat pump instead, but stay with us—a lot of what we’re about to share will still apply to you.
Do you know how old your air conditioner is?
Air Conditioners Last About 10–15 years
You can find out how long your cooling system has been around from a date on the unit itself or by asking the previous homeowner. (Trust us, unless the system is brand new, this isn’t information they’ll readily divulge.)
If the air conditioner is 10–15 years old, you’ll want to start thinking about an upgrade soon. An air conditioner this old won’t work efficiently. It will drain more power than you want it to and as a result, cost more than you want it to. Plus, it’s going to have some interesting symptoms you might not know what to do with.
For instance, you might see ice forming on the system…
You Should Never See Ice on Your Air Conditioner
An air conditioner chills the air, so there’s ice involved in the process, right? Wrong! We want to dispel this common misunderstanding: you should never see ice forming anywhere on your AC system. If you do, it means something is preventing the evaporator coil from absorbing heat. This could be the result of a dirty evaporator coil, leaking refrigerant, or a clogged air filter.
Speaking of the air filter…
Change the Air Filter Every 1–3 Months
The air filter that comes standard with your HVAC systems is in place to protect those systems from dust and other debris that can get inside and harm their components. So yes, even if your indoor air quality seems “just fine,” your air conditioner can be suffering.
Depending on the type of air filter you have and the level of contaminants in your home, the air filter should be changed or cleaned every 1–3 months. We’ll also check this during maintenance, but it’s vital that you do a self-maintenance with this task.
On the subject of maintenance…
The Power of Professional Maintenance
Did you know you should have a professional tune-up done once a year on your air conditioner? This allows our technicians to fully inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it. This will keep the system working as efficiently and effectively as possible.
When you sign up for our maintenance agreement, you’ll not only receive a thorough tune-up for your AC, but also a number of other benefits such as discounts on repairs and labor, and more. Lastly, professional maintenance keeps your system’s manufacturer’s warranty up-to-date.
If you want to learn more about your specific air conditioner, or the services we provide for your air conditioning in Pensacola Beach, FL and beyond, reach out to Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. today!