Air Conditioning is a necessary appliance to have in a home. It keeps us cool in the summer and warm in the winter. However, it's important to know when your air conditioning may need service because many problems can arise with this unit. Here are five of these concerns and how they may affect your comfort and wallet.
Dirty Air Filters
Many homeowners forget to change their air filters and often go months without doing so. If you don't change your filter, then your system will operate extra tough and may even break down due to having worked too hard. You're wasting money by not changing your filter on schedule because the unit has to run longer than usual to cool your home.
Leaky Ducts
Leaky ducts are another common issue that can lead to poor air quality and high energy bills. If you have leaky ducts, your system has to work harder than necessary to push cooled or heated air through them, which costs you money. In addition, leaked conditioned air can escape outside and cause your AC to run even longer to provide a comfortable environment inside.
While having leaky ducts is an enormous concern that requires the expertise of a professional, there are warning signs you can look for. For example, if your home seems too hot or cold at times and stays uncomfortable after adjusting the thermostat, this may be an indication of leaky ducts. You can also inspect your ducts for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or holes.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
When the thermostat in your home doesn't work correctly, it's an inconvenience and can cause you to waste energy. However, a malfunctioning thermostat has more serious consequences as well. If yours is set too high, for example, or isn't working at all when it should be cooling your home, your AC unit has probably broken down.
To avoid these difficulties, always test your thermostat before the start of each cooling season and call a professional if it's not working correctly. Also, be sure to change the batteries in your thermostat at least once a year. Even better, get a digital thermostat to maintain proper temperature and long-term efficiency.
Bad Freon
Freon is the substance in your AC unit that transfers heat from inside to outside. Without enough of it, or if there's a leak, you'll have problems with hot weather because your system won't be able to cool your home properly. It can also lead to high energy bills and costly repairs down the road. As such, it's important to test the Freon levels in your AC unit once a year and make sure there are no leaks.
Failed Compressor
The compressor is the part of your AC unit that pushes Freon through it. If it breaks down, you'll have issues with cold weather, because the system will stop working altogether. You also won't be able to use hot air or cool air until it's fixed, so this can result in uncomfortable temperatures inside and high energy bills.
Conclusion
If you're experiencing any of these problems with your air conditioning, don't wait to call a professional. They can help you get your system back up and running, so you can enjoy comfortable temperatures in your home all year long.