With summers arrival, scorching temperatures can be expected. This means that you have to ensure that your air conditioning unit is working all through the summer.
To check if this component of your HVAC system is working, run down the list of Warner Service’s signs that the A/C unit is properly cooling your home:
The unit’s air filter is clean. If you’re a good homeowner, you know to change your air conditioner’s air filter about once per month and especially during the change of season. (It also helps to switch it if your home has an abundance of smoke, hair, pet dander, and other allergens or pathogens.)
The thermostat is on. Whether you just changed the batteries or it went through a regular maintenance test, the thermostat should be on (not on “auto”) and accurate. This is an easy way to tell if your air conditioner is cooling your home properly.
You hear the fan on the blower. Your blower is still working if you can hear its fan whirring and you can see the blades moving.
It’s cooler inside. Nothing’s worse than walking into your home after a day in the sun to a hotter atmosphere. If the indoor temperature is cooler than the outdoor temperature, the air conditioning unit is fine.
According to SFGATE, a San Francisco-centered news publication, you can also check the temperature difference when the outdoor temperature reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. When this happens, set your thermostat for a temperature significantly below room temperature.
Let the unit run long enough to reach the set temperature, then place a refrigerator thermometer inside one of your A/C’s air ducts for ten minutes. Afterward, chart the temperature reading.
After that, find the A/C unit’s return air duct and use the refrigerator thermometer to get the temperature inside there as well. Subtract the first number from the second, and if the difference is more than 14 degrees, the unit is good to go.
The unit is quiet. While you can hear a slight whirring of the blower fans, the total operation should be relatively quiet. This means the unit is properly maintained and functioning optimally, especially in hot, humid weather.
Your home has adequate insulation. During an HVAC maintenance check-up, a technician can tell you whether or not your home is properly insulated. If so, your air conditioner should be running optimally.
No excessive sunlight is visible. Many homeowners love the look of natural light, but it makes your unit work much harder by raising the indoor temperature. If you closed the blinds and drew the curtains, the unit should be cooling your home properly.
No natural debris is near the unit. Though most of the leaves haven’t fallen yet, the outdoor unit can still become crowded with sticks, grass clippings, and other natural debris from lawn mowing and nesting from unwelcome critters. If you don’t find anything near the air conditioner, your home should be cool.
You check off all these boxes. Read our 7 Signs You Need An HVAC Repair, 5 Reasons Your Air Conditioning Is Blowing Hot Air, and 20 Things That Could Be Wrong With Your Air Conditioner for more information.
If your AC unit is in need of a maintenance check or routine service, contact Warner Service. We have the experience to make sure your air conditioning unit keeps you cool all summer long.
