Even in Vermont, where temperatures are much more well-known for the extreme cold than the heat, a reliable air conditioner is an invaluable resource. Summer may take a while to get going, but when it does, it can hit pretty hard. That’s why an inefficient air conditioner is just as big a deal as an inefficient or unreliable heater. It may not see quite the same level of use, but you still don’t want to be overpaying for your comfort.
There are a lot of different reasons why you may run into low efficiency levels with your air conditioning system. Some are quite simple to deal with. Others require professional intervention and may pose a real threat to the overall health of your air conditioning system. Today, we’ll explore some common causes of AC inefficiency so that you can know what you might be dealing with. In most cases, though, remember that working with an AC professional in Southern Vermont will be necessary.
Common, Best Case Scenario: Dirty Air Filter
If you think that the standard air filter in your air conditioning system is there to clean up the air throughout your house, think again. The function of this air filter is really to protect your AC system itself. If your AC doesn’t have a fresh filter in it, then pollutants like dirt and dust can build up on its sensitive components. That’s going to negatively affect its performance levels. However, you won’t just be dealing with decreased performance levels, but decreased efficiency levels, too.
When your system has to work harder than it should to distribute air throughout your home, which it will with a dirty filter causing excessive airflow restriction, it is going to use more energy in its efforts to cool your home. The only thing worse than a subpar cooling performance is overpaying for it! Check your air filter on a monthly basis, and change it as needed to keep your system and your budget optimized.
Common, Worst Case Scenario: Refrigerant Leaks
Air conditioners remove heat from homes in order to cool them down. In order to do this, they evaporate refrigerant in the indoor units and then they condense refrigerant in the outdoor units. It’s a fairly straightforward heat transfer process, at least in theory. When a system is low on refrigerant, which it really never should be because the refrigerant loop is a closed system, problems ensue.
If the refrigerant is low due to a leak, then the system is going to have to work harder and harder to cool the house. You may run into issues with the outdoor unit icing up, further hindering the heat transfer process. If the problem isn’t resolved, it can actually wind up destroying your AC. If you ever suspect a refrigerant leak, you need to schedule professional AC repairs immediately.
Most Common of All: Poor Maintenance
If you want your AC to function at peak performance and efficiency levels, routine maintenance is the answer. It really is that simple. You need your system tuned up annually by a trained professional.
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