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Air conditioning systems have a sneaky way of making you think they’re doing a whole lot more than they actually are. You might hear the hum and feel a bit of air coming through the vents, which is enough to convince you that everything is good. Meanwhile, your energy bill starts creeping up, and your house just never seems to quite reach the temperature you set.
In this scenario, your AC isn’t “lying” in the true sense, but it can be giving you the wrong impression. It can seem like it’s working just fine, when in reality, it’s not performing as efficiently as it could.
Signs Your AC Isn’t Running Optimally
Let’s say your thermostat says 70°F, but the room feels warmer, even with the system constantly running. Or maybe it takes hours for the temperature to drop after you switch the unit on once you’re home from work. It’s easy to brush these off without giving them a second thought, but they can be little clues that your AC isn’t working as it should be.
Uneven cooling is something else to look out for. If one room has a comfortable temperature and another feels like it’s in a different season, the likelihood is that your system isn’t distributing air properly.
Ultimately, if you notice any of these signs along with increased energy bills (when, importantly, your usage hasn’t changed), there’s a high chance that your system is working much harder than it should.
What’s Going On Behind The Scenes
Most of the time, these sorts of air conditioning issues just come down to neglect rather than a complete failure.
If you’re not committing to the regular tune-ups your air conditioning needs, the filters will get clogged up, coils get dusted up, moving parts start to wear down, and refrigerant levels become low. None of these things will stop your AC overnight, which is why it’s so easy to just ignore them. But gradually, they’ll start to affect your system’s performance day by day.
What A Tune-Up Actually Involves
An AC tune-up involves more than just glancing at the unit and ticking a box. It’s a proper, detailed check that’s used to make sure the system is running as smoothly and safely as it can.
When you call a professional local company like Koala-T for HVAC services, they’ll send an experienced technician to work through a tune-up checklist for your air conditioner. This will typically involve inspecting and replacing the air filter, cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils, testing out the system’s electricals, and checking and adjusting refrigerant levels.
They’ll also check the thermostat and calibrate it if needed, as well as lubricating and testing any moving parts like motors and fans.
When To Get One
So, you know the importance of a tune-up, now how often should you get one? Once a year is a good rule of thumb, ideally when the weather starts warming up. That way, you know your system is ready to go when you need it most.
To end on an important note, it’s worth knowing that a tune-up won’t restore an old, failing unit back to life. If your AC is near the end of its lifespan, maintenance can only do so much, and an expert might suggest replacing it altogether as the more cost-effective long-term solution.
