Summer is a wonderful time of the year. You get to spend lots of time outdoors with your family. But when you’re at home, you want to feel cool and comfortable. If you’ve noticed that your AC unit doesn’t seem to be cooling quite as well, you need to address the problems before the end of the season.
If you need air conditioning maintenance in Riverside, CA, we can help. If you notice any of these three signs that your unit is struggling, it’s time to take action. Try our tips for addressing the problem, and if that doesn’t work then give us a call.
Your Thermostat
Your thermostat tells the AC unit how cool to make your home. It also signals your unit when to turn on based on the indoor air temperature getting too warm. But is your thermostat the right one for your unit? It may not be. High-quality thermostats should be digital and have Wi-Fi capabilities. A digital thermostat allows you to choose a precise temperature without any guessing. One with Wi-Fi allows you to control the temperature even when you’re away from home.
If your thermostat isn’t digital and doesn’t offer Wi-Fi capabilities, we can help. Our team can talk to you about choosing the right temperature based on factors like:
- Overall square footage
- Shape of your home
- If you have two or more stories
- Number of windows
- Number of people living in your home
- Hours that you’re home or away
Your Air Filter Is Clogged
Your air filter collects dust, debris, and contaminants so that they don’t get into your system or the air you breathe. Changing the air filter on time is crucial to your AC unit’s efficiency. You may look at your filter and wonder if it really needs to be changed right now. If it has been a month, the answer is yes! You may even need to change the filter more often if your air has higher levels of contaminants.
Keep in mind that your air filters may be rated to last longer than one month, although one month is fairly standard. If your filter is rated to last two or three months, that’s fine. But be sure to keep an eye on how dirty the filter is so you can change it sooner if needed.
Short Cycling
Short cycling happens when your AC’s cooling cycle doesn’t run as long as it should – usually around 15 minutes. If you notice your AC unit turns on to cool and off a few minutes later, that’s a bad sign. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do on your own for short cycling. When this happens, it’s time to call a professional. Turn off your AC to prevent any additional damage and then schedule maintenance with our team. Allowing your AC unit to short cycle can lead to more damage and increased energy bills.
Contact RKM Heating and Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment with us. Done Right, Priced Right.