Things never cease to get hot and humid during the summertime here in Southwest Ohio. Sometimes seemingly overnight, that warm weather we welcomed in the spring turns on us and it becomes too much to bear. Quickly without warning we enter into the so-called Dog Days of Summer. Thankfully, homeowners have their beloved comfort equipment they can turn to for relief. Residential air conditioning systems become our lifeline here in the Greater Cincinnati and Greater Dayton areas during the months of June through August. We come to count on them, until a problem comes along and we can’t.
If you’re dealing with a residential air conditioning problem or AC breakdown during the hot months of summer, we urge you to reach out to us right away. We can send out an NATE-certified technician to your home to help right away. In the meantime, our home cooling heroes here at Middletown Heating & Cooling offer the following list of things to check and consider when your A/C starts acting up:
Check A/C Condenser Coils
Air conditioning systems utilize a wide range of parts that need to be checked and cleaned regularly, which is one of the reasons we at Middletown Heating & Cooling sell a/c maintenance at such a low cost. If you’re having problems with your home cooling unit, A/C condenser coils should be checked right away. The condenser coils are the walls that surround the inside of the A/C unit and hold the A/C refrigerant in its liquid form. These coils should have a slight metallic shine. If they’re dirty, they will likely be covered in dust and debris. You’ll want to have them cleaned heading into the summer every year.
Check Air Filters
When they’re working properly and being changed regularly, air filters remove allergens, particles and pollutants from the air in a dwelling. Our air filters on all our HVAC units also helps by preventing dust, dirt and debris from gathering within the equipment itself. Because they affect airflow, air filters should be checked regularly throughout the season, like every month, and if they’re dirty they should be replaced or cleaned right away to promote proper airflow. Otherwise, a bad air filter that’s clogged can cause serious damage, run up your home cooling bills and even result in full A/C system failure.
Test Your Thermostat & Other Controls
If your central air conditioning equipment or AC unit isn’t running properly, or if it’s not running at all and it’s broken down, one of the first things you should do is to try to pinpoint the cause of the problem or eliminate other possible causes. This means checking the A/C’s various controls. You’ll want to check your AC unit’s power source and the thermostat. It’s important to make sure the A/C is turned on and has power running to it. You’ll test your thermostat to make sure it’s working properly also. Once you’ve checked all this, you can move on to other possible causes.
Check AC Capacitor
Residential air conditioning systems utilize an AC capacitor that helps power the A/C’s motors. This A/C capacitor stores electricity so that it can provide a quick burst of energy to the AC motor, which it’s connected to, when it is necessary. On average, these capacitors should be replaced every 5 to 7 years. These capacitors can become extra sensitive to overheating over time. Tips on how to make your AC capacitor last longer and prevent it from overheating include setting the thermostat a little higher on the hotter days and making sure to schedule regular seasonal maintenance with your local experts at Middletown Heating & Cooling!
Check Your A/C Maintenance Record
We at Middletown Heating & Cooling ever-emphasize the importance of regular A/C maintenance. We remind homeowners all the time! Nevertheless, despite this, we still get those calls during the truly hot months from homeowners who lose their cool air because they neglected this vital service during the spring. We encourage you not to be that homeowner. It might cost you a little up front, but the payoffs in the long run are worth it when your A/C runs smoother, lasts longer and saves you on cooling costs.
If your A/C is giving you problems, call us today!
If you’re still experiencing problems with cooling your house, don’t wait for the problem to escalate. Call Middletown Heating & Cooling today at (513) 268-3789.