Fredericksburg, VA, is known for hot and humid summers. Before the first heatwave arrives, it’s important to make sure that your home’s cooling system can handle the workload. An inefficient air conditioner has a big impact on your comfort and wallet. Read on to learn about four signs that your air conditioner is inefficient and how an air conditioning maintenance visit can restore its efficiency.
Short-cycling
Short-cycling is when your air conditioner turns on, shuts off within one minute, then turns on again a minute later. This causes excessive wear and tear. Short-cycling often results from a clogged air filter or thermostat sensor problem. Air conditioning maintenance includes a complete thermostat inspection and air filter replacement.
Low Airflow
When your air conditioner turns on, you should feel a steady stream of cool air blowing from each vent in your home. If you barely feel a trickle of cool air, you have an inefficient air conditioner. The evaporator coil or air filter could be dirty, or there could be a refrigerant leak. An air conditioning maintenance visit includes coil cleaning and verification of the refrigerant level.
Hot Spots
A right-size air conditioner should deliver plenty of cool air to your entire home. If your home still has hot areas, your system could be inefficient. Our technicians perform a thorough cleaning of the compressor, condenser and evaporator coils in order to prevent hot spots in your home. We also check the ducts to make sure there aren’t any leaks preventing cool air from reaching your living space.
Soaring Electricity Bills
Compare your current electric bill to the bill from the same month last year. If your energy use soared, it could be due to an inefficient air conditioner. According to the Department of Energy, a dirty air filter is a common cause of inefficient air conditioners.
For more tips on how to recognize an inefficient air conditioner, take a look at Total Comfort’s air conditioning services, or get in touch with us today.
