It’s roasting hot in Houston, and we can expect record-setting heatwaves in the coming weeks. You’ll be glad to have a working AC system in your home now—it can even be a life-saver for some people!
But as the heat ramps up, have you noticed that your AC isn’t doing the job you expect? Is it just the extreme heat, or do you have a faulty air conditioning system?
The answer is likely the second. ACs are designed to operate in hot conditions, and as long as your air conditioner was accurately installed so it’s the right size for your home, it should be able to lower your home to at least a comfortable 78°F when the heat is above 100°F. If your air conditioning system isn’t doing the job you usually expect from it, it might be because of…
…a Clogged Air Filter
We recommend checking the HVAC system’s air filter first whenever an AC starts losing cooling capacity. A dirty filter blocks how much warm air enters the air conditioner for cooling, and this will in return lower the amount of cool air sent to the house. Considering how much you’ll use your AC in the coming months, we suggest replacing the filter monthly.
…Leaking Refrigerant
This is a serious, but unfortunately common, problem that ACs can face. Not only does the reduction in refrigerant hinder the air conditioner’s ability to remove heat from the air and release it outdoors, the change in pressure throughout the system will eventually cause the compressor to overheat and the AC to fully break down. It takes professionals to solve this: they must seal the leaks and restore the lost amount of refrigerant.
…a Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat in your house can become miscalibrated so it detects inccorect temperatures. If the thermostat senses the house is several degrees cooler than it is, you won’t receive the amount of cooling you expect from your normal thermostat settings. Please call us to repair the thermostat—don’t try to overcome this by setting the thermostat even lower!
…Short-Cycling
This is a situation where the air conditioner turns on and off repeatedly, not completing its standard 15–20 minute cooling cycling. This drains a large amount of energy and puts immense strain on the components. It also prevents the air conditioner from running long enough to evenly distribute cooling throughout a house. Technicians can diagnose the cause of the short-cycling and fix it.
…an Aging Air Conditioner
Check on the age of your AC: you’ll find the manufacture date on the condenser cabinet. If the unit is more than 12 years old, and especially if it’s more than 15, this decline in cooling power is probably because the system has worn past the point where it can effectively work. We don’t recommend continuing with repairs for an older system, as the repairs will only slow down the decline and aren’t cost-effective compared to replacing the air conditioner.
We’re here to help when you need those vital AC repair in Houston, TX.
Call All Star A/C & Heating Services for AC repairs. Our integrity is our best, most used tool in our bag.