Here in Florida, you need to keep your air conditioner in good shape. Temperatures have already approached triple-digits this summer and we’re just getting started.
Fortunately, a lot of a/c maintenance is pretty easy for homeowners to handle. Here are the three main reasons your a/c may die, and how to prevent them. (Not included: check your thermostat to make sure it has power and is set properly.)
1. Something is blocking airflow
The most common thing to affect your a/c is that air isn’t flowing easily around your home and your unit is working too hard trying to keep things cool. Sometimes this means a warmer house, sometimes it means your a/c will break down. This is usually something you can handle on your own.
Common airflow problems include:
- Air filter clogged. You should replace the air filter in your a/c unit regularly so the dust, pet hair and other debris it collects don’t prevent air from getting into the system. The government’s Energy Star program suggests changing it every three months but says if it looks dirty after a month go ahead and swap it out.
- Vents blocked. Make sure there’s nothing in front of or on top of your a/c vents and keep them clean. Remember, air needs to circulate freely around the place. Remove the vent covers and make sure gunk, toys or debris haven’t piled up in there.
- Leaking or blocked ducts: If your ductwork is leaking the whole system can be strained. Use duct sealant or metal-backed duct tape (so THAT’S what that’s for) to seal the seams and anywhere ducts connect to each other, and then wrap any ductwork you can get to in insulation to keep them from getting too hot. If you believe something is inside your ducts blocking airflow — debris buildup, insect infestations, animals, collapsed ducts — you’ll need to call a professional.
- Outside unit blocked: You need a three-foot clear space around your outside a/c unit to make sure air can be drawn in or blown out. Keep any yardwork, furniture or debris away and brush off any leaves or twigs that fall on top of it. You should also gently wash away dirt and seasonal debris with a garden hose.
2. Something in your a/c broke or got clogged
One of the most common things that can cause cooling issues is if your drain line gets plugged up with dirt, mud, leaves, or curious insects. That’s the line coming out of your house that drains out the moisture your a/c has been pulling out of your air. If that gets gunked up, the water will back up in the a/c’s drain pan inside your home, which is not good.
You can generally unplug it yourself by running hot water or vinegar inside it to flush it out, according to home repair site HomeServe, or by hooking up a Shop Vac to the outside and clearing the obstruction. A professional can help with extreme cases.
For just about anything else that’s broken, you’ll need to call in a pro to service it. That can include:
- Dirty evaporator coils
- Faulty capacitor
- Burnt-out contactor
- Dead or dying motor
- Issues with wiring
3. You need more coolant
If the refrigerant leaks out of your HVAC system, your a/c won’t be able to cool off your rooms no matter how hard it runs. A serviceman can test for leaks, patch it up and add more refrigerant as needed.
How to tell if you need your air conditioner serviced or repaired
There are some telltale signs that your a/c is working too hard or is about to go:
- Strange smells coming out of your vents
- Frozen evaporator coils
- Low refrigerant levels
- Unevenly cooled rooms
- Hot air coming from your vents
- Strange banging, humming, or screeching sounds
- Unexpected spikes in your utility bill
- The system continuously cycles on and off
Air conditioners are remarkably durable and we run them 24/7 for months in the Florida heat. Take just a few simple steps to keep it running smoothly, and have it serviced regularly so it will continue to be there when you need it.