Is Your AC Tired After a Long Florida Summer? 5 Signs It Needs Attention
Key Takeaways
Take some time to notice how your air conditioner is working. If there are problems, such as weak airflow or short cycles, your AC needs attention from an HVAC technician at Mid-Fla Heating & Air. We can locate the issue, let you know your repair options, and get your air conditioning unit working efficiently so you don’t have to worry about it!
The end of summer in Florida is a great time to assess your air conditioner. Our long, hot summers require a lot of indoor cooling, making your climate control system one of your most useful appliances. Yet, it is often underappreciated. Air conditioners don’t always get the attention they need after working hard all summer long. Here are some signs that your AC is not working at full capacity and needs some professional maintenance.
1. Too Little Airflow
One of the top signs that your AC needs attention is the lack of airflow coming out of your vents. This could be an indication that the air filter is clogged with dust, debris, and other contaminants. Replacing the air filter may solve the issue.
If it doesn’t fix the problem, there could be a different reason for weak airflow, such as disconnected or cracked ducts. Your ductwork is often hiding behind your walls, so you don’t see if they break or move out of place. When the ducts have a crack, the cool air from your climate control unit can escape through it, with only a small amount making it to your room vents. The professional HVAC technicians at Mid-Fla Heating & Air can evaluate your ducts and find a way to fix the problem.
2. Warm Air Is Coming Out
An air conditioner is supposed to produce cool air, so if warm air is coming out of your vents, there’s something wrong. The first thing to check is your thermostat setting. Sometimes, people accidentally change the setting from cool to warm, and switching it back to the correct setting is all it takes to get your AC working correctly again.
Warm air coming from your AC could mean there’s a refrigerant leak. Your system needs refrigerant to cool the air, and if it’s low on refrigerant, you need to call an HVAC technician to fix it.
Warm air could also be an indication of a failing compressor. If the air conditioner’s compressor is failing, you might hear a strange rumbling or rattling noise coming from the climate control unit. If you believe this is the case, give us a call, and we can come over and let you know your AC repair or replacement options.
3. Stale, Musty Smell
Those stale, musty smells coming into your home whenever the air conditioner runs could be a sign of mold or mildew in your HVAC system. Because Florida has hot, humid weather, mold and mildew growth are frequent issues for homeowners and business owners. The mold could be growing in the air conditioner itself, or it could be growing inside your ductwork. If you don’t get this fixed, it will continue to grow and could lead to health issues. While some mold and mildew can be cleaned and eliminated, it is sometimes an indication that there is another problem, such as moisture accumulating where it shouldn’t be.
4. AC Turns On and Off More Frequently Than Normal
If you pay attention to when your AC runs, you probably have a good idea of how long a normal cycle takes in your home. If the unit starts running in very short cycles, turning on and off in a matter of a minute or two, your AC needs some professional attention. Short cycling is typically a symptom of some other problem, such as low refrigerant or a failing system. Our experts can help determine what is going on and how to fix it.
If you don’t get your air conditioning unit checked out, and it continues to run in short cycles, the system may wear itself out, leading to costly emergency repairs.
5. Increase in Energy Costs
Even if you don’t notice the way your AC is working, you could notice that your energy bills are suddenly higher than normal. If the climate control unit is under a lot of stress and is overworking due to a problem somewhere in its system, it will cause your energy usage to go up. Getting it fixed and working efficiently again can reduce those energy costs.
Unsure if your AC needs attention after it worked hard all summer long? Contact Mid-Fla Heating & Air and let us know what’s going on. We are your one-stop solution for total comfort!
