We know our air conditioners are a blessing in the blazing summer days and nights. To tackle the scorching temperatures, your AC should be in optimum condition, which requires ensuring that every component works properly so you can call in an HVAC repair service if there is any problem with your air conditioner, it’s components, or cooling ability. Let’s take a look at some important factors that will keep you from sweating the entire day.

Check The Air Filters

Although most people tend to overlook this factor, air filters plays a crucial role in filtering air and distributing it inside the house. Think of it as lungs. The unit will only be able to evenly cool the house if the air filter is clean. Otherwise, if it is choked or dirty, the unit will perform in a congested manner. Plus, the components such as the compressor will have to work harder to cool the house and it will lead to additional electricity costs. As a general rule of thumb, you should clean the filter at least once a month. However, if you are living in an area where dust and dirt is plenty, you might want to clean the filter once a week.

Check Feon (The Refrigerant)

Air conditioners like refrigerators require gas to turn hot air into cool air. Due to several reasons, the gas could escape. It might be that a pipe was cracked while installing or servicing the unit. Without a sufficient amount of gas, the compressor will not function properly as well. Then again, it will put additional stress on the compressor, reducing its life. If you notice that the unit is somewhere in the middle when it comes to cooling, you should turn it off and inspect your HVAC. Prolonged use without gas might damage it.

Furthermore, make sure that you follow the instructions of the manufacturer regarding the type of gas. Every manufacturer recommends a different type of gas based on their compressors. Since ac gas is not cheap, you might want to get it right the first time.

How To Test The Cooling Ability?

Prepare The Unit

To test the unit, you will have to remove the furnace filter if any along with vent covers to ensure nothing blocks the airflow. If your unit tends to be complex, you might want to call the professionals to check the cooling status.

Determine Return And Supply Ducts

The next thing you might want to do is determine the return and supply ducts. To do that, you can perform a simple test. Place a tissue on each duct. If the tissue is blown away it means that it is a supply duct. Once you have determined the ducts, you can proceed with testing your AC unit.

Turn On Your HVAC Unit

Next, you have to turn on your AC and keep the thermostat settings below the room temperature so the air conditioner runs for as long as possible. Then, locate the closest supply duct in your house and attach a thermometer or refrigerator thermometer. Allow the unit to run for a while and record the readings. Now locate the closest return duct and attach the thermometer the same way. Let the unit run for around 10 minutes and calculate the difference in readings.

Analyzing Your Unit’s Performance

After determining the results, it is now time to analyze them. If the difference in temperatures is less than 20 degrees, the unit might have a problem. If that is the case, you might be damaging your unit. At this stage, it might be hard to determine the problem but you should ensure that nothing else is causing fluctuating temperatures.

Final Word

Concluding, this simple test will ensure that your AC unit is running fine and will make it through the summer season. However, if the cooling difference is considerable, it might need a service to determine the problem. Look for reputable air conditioning companies Chantilly to service your AC. You can take recommendations from your HVAC system manufacturer. Moreover, not following an air conditioner maintenance schedule causes ACs and HVACs to work in stress which brings bigger issues down the line that cost more money for repairs.