How do you know when your AC is going out?

If you notice your air conditioner making a squealing, grinding, or grating noise, it may be time for a unit replacement. Strange sounds indicate something wrong inside the unit itself, and failing to contact a technician for repairs could result in costlier service on down the road.

Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house?

If your air conditioner is running, but not lowering temperatures inside, one issue could be a blocked or clogged condenser coil. When operating correctly, the condenser fan draws air into the outdoor unit through the condenser coil to pull heat energy out of your home.

How many years does an air conditioner last?

While every unit is different, and every homeowner has a different understanding of when their central air conditioner is broken beyond repair, it's fair to say that, with proper maintenance and care, you can expect a good 15 to 20 years of cooling from a new high efficiency air conditioning system.

Can I just replace my outside AC unit?

Even if you could find an outdoor unit that uses the same refrigerant as your old indoor unit, we would still advise against replacing only the outdoor unit because it would likely create a mismatched system.

When should I replace my AC unit?

Air conditioning units can last a surprisingly long time, but they can also break unexpectedly. You can expect to replace an AC unit every 10-15 years unless you experience problems with the unit. Be sure to keep up with maintenance and proper storage of the unit once the weather becomes cold.

Warning signs your air conditioning unit may be going out

Should I turn off my AC if it is not cooling?

So, if your air conditioner isn't cooling, and you suspect a refrigerant leak, or if you've checked the air filter and thermostat to no avail, yes, you should shut your air conditioner off and call us right away.

Why is my house so hot even with AC on?

Air leaks and poor insulation are a common cause for making your house feel hot, even when the AC is working, as they can allow the air your air conditioner has worked so hard to cool to escape, leaving your house hot. Humidity can interfere with your thermostat's ability to track temperatures and also traps heat.

Is it OK for air conditioner to run all day?

It's normal for an AC to run for multiple hours per day. However, there is a difference between keeping your AC on throughout the day and the compressor running all day. Once your space reaches your desired temperature, your AC system, or more specifically, the compressor, should stop running automatically.

How many hours should AC run?

An AC should run 12 to 16 hours a day on average summer days when the air conditioner is properly sized. On the very hottest days of summer, don't be surprised if your AC runs 20 hours or more, especially if the weather is well above the normal heat range.

How often should your AC kick on?

Ideally, a properly operating air conditioner should cycle for roughly 15 to 20 minutes, two to three times per hour. If the temperature inside your home is very high, is much higher than the temperature that your thermostat is set at, or the outside temperature is very high, the run time will increase.

What happens if AC runs too long?

Unit Too Large: If your system is too large, it won't effectively remove moisture from the air in your home, resulting in an output of moist, clammy air. It will actually have shorter run times than it should and use excessive amounts of electricity, resulting in higher utility bills.

How cool should my house be if it's 100 outside?

How cool should my house be if it's 100° outside? The majority of air conditioning units are designed to only cool the air about 20 degrees from the outside temperature. If the temperatures outside are approaching triple digits, you should set your thermostat at about 78°.

How do I know if my AC is low on Freon?

Why is my air conditioner not cooling my house below 80 degrees?

Change the Filter

If your filter is loaded with dust and dirt, it could be causing your air conditioner to not run effectively. If you haven't changed your filter lately, now might be the time to do so. Filters keep dust and other contaminants from building up in your air conditioner.

Is it better to leave AC fan on or auto?

Keeping your fan on AUTO is the most energy-efficient option. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously. There is better dehumidification in your home during the summer months. When your fan is set to AUTO, moisture from cold cooling coils can drip and be drained outside.

Should I keep my AC on auto or on?

The “On” AC Setting Is Best If:

If evenly distributed air temperature and quality throughout your home is your top priority, keeping your AC set to “On” will be best. When you have someone home all day or suffer with allergies, prioritizing your comfort is important, and setting your AC to “On” will help in the summer.

Why you should never turn your AC off?

If you leave your air conditioner off during the day, indoor temperatures will continually rise while you're gone. By the time you get back, temperatures will be so high that your air conditioner will consume more energy cooling down your home than it would if you left your system on all day.

How do I know if my home AC needs to be recharged?

How do I know if my AC needs to be recharged?

Your AC Blows Warm Air

If your AC has been blowing warm air from the in-cabin vents, this is a red flag that your AC system needs a recharge. If you suspect that your vehicle's AC system needs a recharge, we recommend that you leave that task to the experts.

How do I check my home AC for refrigerant?

It's blowing warm air

If the air conditioner is low on freon, the unit will begin to blow warm air instead of cold air. To test this, place your hand up against the closest vent to check the air temperature. If the air is still cold, the chances are that the coolant level is fine.

Is 72 too cold for AC?

Once you have the right size air conditioner, there's still an ideal temperature range to consider. It's best to not set your thermostat lower than 70 to 72 degrees. Most units are not designed to cool a house below that point, and you risk the system freezing up.

Why is my AC not keeping up?

The AC Needs Maintenance

You might be low on refrigerant or have a worn out motor or a dirty evaporator coil. Not all AC problems demonstrate themselves with loud sounds or funny odors coming from your system. Some of them simply reduce the AC's ability to run, and all you notice is less cool air in the house.

Is it normal for AC not to keep up on hot days?

Change you air filter. Cut back any shrubs or debris around your outdoor unit. Spray down condenser with hose. Don't close off vents, your system needs to dispense air evenly without too much pressure.

Should my AC run for 30 minutes?

Under ideal operating conditions, AC units should run for about 15 to 20 minutes before shutting back off. In mild weather, the cycles might be a bit shorter than this. Keep in mind that running for less than 10 minutes isn't ideal because the air conditioner can't dehumidify properly.

How long should it take AC to cool 1 degree?

It should take a standard AC 18 minutes to cool down a house by 1 degree. It should take a standard AC 36 minutes to cool down a house by 2 degrees. It should take a standard AC 54 minutes to cool down a house by 3 degrees.