A functioning air conditioning system is not just a luxury, it is a necessity in some parts of the country, especially in Florida. Lee Heating & Cooling, a professional Pensacola air conditioning repair, and HVAC contractor suggest that you schedule regular maintenance with a professional to fix minor issues before they become bigger, costly problems.
The Basics Of Air Conditioning Systems
Air conditioning systems remove warm air and filter the cooled air before it goes back into your home through your ducts and vents.
Without getting too technical, there is a liquid refrigerant inside an evaporator coil in your condenser, usually, outside of your home, that cools the air as it passes over the coils. This cold air is pumped back into your home through a blower fan.
Air Filters
Air filters are rated by how effectively they filter dust and other contaminants from the air. Filters with a MERV rating of 14 can filter out tobacco smoke, and a filter with a MERV rating of 15 can filter out all bacteria!
However, a filter with a MERV rating of one can’t even filter out pollen. Air conditioning professionals can recommend the best type of air filter for your needs and promote better health, but they can also recommend the best filter for your blower.
If your air filter is very tight and effective at preventing nanoparticles from passing through, as a HEPA filter does, then your filter will restrict airflow. The blower pushes air through the air filter and out into your home.
When your blower is not made to work with filters with higher MERV ratings, then it has to work harder to “blow” air out of your vents and into your home. Hospitals, for example, need to have the highest MERV-rated filters in their operating rooms, but they also install massive HVAC units in their facilities that are built for heavy-duty use.
A couple living in a condo without pets, for example, may not need to have a filter in their home with as high of a MERV rating, especially if neither one of them suffers from allergies. Their condo’s AC system is not built for the types of filters used in clinics, laboratories, or clean rooms.
So if they put a filter in their AC that is too effective at filtering out particles and restricts airflow, then their condo isn’t cooling or heating because the cold or hot air is trapped behind the filter, unable to pass through.
Steps To Take
When you call an AC repair company, they may ask you a few questions over the phone. Check these areas of your AC system to help them solve your AC issues much faster.
Change Your Thermostat Settings
If your thermostat is set to ON, then the blower and fan will run continuously even if the cooling system is not actively running.
If your thermostat is set to 75 and your house is 75 degrees, then the cooling system won’t kick on, but your blowing motor will still be running. This may be why you feel warm air coming out of your vents.
Thermostats need to be replaced every ten years and are susceptible to dirt and particles that prevent them from accurately reading the room temperature. A professional can replace your thermostat if the build-up is the issue.
Check Your Air Filter
As explained earlier, if your air filter is not equipped to work in the unit you have, then it will restrict cold or hot air. All of that cold air being backed up in your system can actually freeze your components.
Likewise, if you have the heat on and the air cannot pass through the filter, then your components can become overheated. Both situations can break your AC system.
Check For Air Flow Restrictions
Dirt, debris, and plants can harm your outdoor condenser unit, and the contaminants can build up over time on your condenser coils. You should make sure that there are no overgrown weeds or grass near your outdoor condenser unit and you should cut away excessive growth if there is.
Dirt on your condenser coils makes them work much harder, making them susceptible to breaking.
When To Call A Pro
If you start noticing loud sounds or odd smells from your AC, then it’s time to call a professional. Many companies offer emergency AC services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Regular maintenance of your AC systems ensures the best performance of your unit. An HVAC professional can conduct tests and cleaning procedures to get your AC working at its best. Nitrogen is often used for flushing contaminants, soot, and other buildups out of AC systems.
The average person shouldn’t be performing these procedures. With regular maintenance, though, you can enjoy cool air in the summer and warmer air when the temperatures drop.
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