When the Katy summer heat settles in, it doesn’t fool around! When it’s hot, it’s hot. You want to be assured that your home is always a cool retreat from the summer heat thanks to a central air conditioning system.
But have you started to feel less comfort in your home? When the AC is running, does it feel like it’s not doing its job as well as it once did? You may have a malfunctioning air conditioner, or even one that needs to be replaced. On the other hand, you may only have a simple problem you can take care of on your own. We’ll look over the possibilities to see when you need to call for air conditioning services in Katy, TX.
The air filter is clogged
The air filter on your HVAC system needs to be replaced with a clean filter every one to three months. If the filter is left in place and becomes extremely congested with dust, lint, dander, and other debris, it will restrict airflow into the AC. The less warm air passing over the evaporator coil to be cooled, the less cool air will enter your home. Put in a new air filter and make a reminder about changing it during the rest of summer.
Blocked condenser
Look around the outdoor condenser cabinet to see if there are obstructions around it, such as tree branches, leaves, dirt, or plants growing too close. If the AC can’t effectively exhaust heat from the condenser, it can’t keep the house cool.
The thermostat is mis-set or mis-calibrated
Don’t overlook the thermostat as a source of your comfort problems! If it has the wrong settings programmed into it, you won’t have the comfort you need. Another possibility is that the thermostat is mis-reading the temperature in the house due to a miscalibration. Don’t keep turning the thermostat down lower to overcome this—call technicians to repair it.
Refrigerant leaks
This is common problem in air conditioners between five and seven years, and if not corrected it will eventually cause the compressor to burn out. You may hear hissing from the air conditioner cabinets or see ice over the coil as warnings of low refrigerant. Call technicians ASAP to seal the leaks and replace the lost refrigerant.
Over-the-hill air conditioner
If your current AC has been in the house for 15 years or more (you can check the manufacturer’s date on the condenser cabinet), a loss of cooling power usually is the warning sign that it’s worn down to the point where it needs to be replaced. Consult with a technician about your options for a replacement.
Undersized air conditioner
On the other extreme, if this is the first summer you’ve had this air conditioner, poor performance often means it was badly installed. If you had amateurs handle the installation, this is the likely outcome. The only solution to an undersized air conditioner is to replace it. Call on licensed pros for this job so the trouble won’t occur again.
At AC Comfort, your comfort is our business! Call us for help with your air conditioning system.