How to Keep Your Home Air Conditioner Running Smoothly
If you’re in the market for a new home air conditioner, the first thing you’ll need to decide is the size of the room you need to cool. You can use portable air conditioners for a small room, or you can invest in a window unit. Whichever option you choose, you will need to choose one with a good cooling capacity. In addition to the size of the room, the cost of the air conditioner will also be a deciding factor.
Home air conditioners come in many different types, but all three have the same basic components: an evaporator coil, condenser coil, compressor, and refrigerant. The most efficient air conditioners are properly sized to keep your home comfortable. To be sure that you get the right one for your space, consult with a HVAC contractor.
One of the easiest ways to check if your home air conditioner is running efficiently is by checking the thermostat. When testing an air conditioning unit, set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature (in most cases, this temperature should be between 73 and 75 degrees). If the temperature is lower than the actual temperature inside your home, your unit is running inefficiently.
Another common problem with a home air conditioner is that the unit starts blowing warm air. This can be a sign that it’s time to replace the unit. While there are many ways to fix this problem, it’s best to contact an HVAC professional for more advice. Having the unit repaired or replaced is much more cost-effective than having the problem go unchecked.
Another common type of home air conditioner is the wall-mounted type. These units are great for rooms that are too small for window units. However, these units require a hole to be drilled to connect the condensation and evaporation units. Wall-mounted air conditioners have the same cooling capacity as window units, but are ideal for people without window support.
If you notice that your home air conditioner is not cooling properly, it could be due to a faulty air filter. If the filter is clogged, you need to clean it and replace it. Another common problem is the compressor. A failed compressor is more expensive to fix and you may have to buy a new unit.
Cleaning the filter regularly will keep your home air conditioner running smoothly. The air filter should be changed every two or three months or even every month if the filter gets too dirty. This can also prevent warm air from reaching the evaporator coils. Clean your filter regularly by following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Also, check the ducts and make sure there are no clogs.
When buying a home air conditioner, you must consider the BTU rating and the cooling capacity. Typically, home air conditioners increase in size by half-ton increments, so a 2.5-ton unit would be a waste of money in a two-bedroom house. On the other hand, a one-ton air conditioner will be too small for a large house.