High-efficiency air
conditioning systems provide homeowners with many excellent benefits including
a comfortable home. But at some point, you observe it is not functioning as it
supposed to be. What could be the main reason? Discover what significant
factors are that affect the overall performance of your AC unit.
Size plays an integral part in the performance of your HVAC.
Larger ACs will cool or warm home immediately, while smaller units will have
struggle meeting your temperature needs. Not to mention, too large of an air
conditioning system can cause it to cycle on and off, eventually wasting
valuable energy.
There are various things that affect the airflow of your
unit. Dirty condenser coils, for instance, limit airflow and affect cooling
performance. The filter becomes dirty over time as it gets rid of dust and
other particles from the air, thereby, minimizing airflow. A condenser unit
that is choked up by obstructions, such as leaves, is another issue to tackle.
You need to clean the coils at least once every season to eliminate dirt and
dust (or have a professional ac repair technician clean them for you).
Cracks around windows and doors as well as damage to the
roof or poorly-sealed pipes and ducts can all enable air exchange. This
ultimately affects the humidity and temperature of the air in your home and the
performance of your air conditioner.
A poorly performing insulation also affects the efficiency
of your AC system. It allows the heat to transfer between the interior spaces
of your residential and outdoor air, which increases the temperature and
requires ample amount of work from your unit to achieve the right cooling level
as per your demand.
Air ducts supply the air to the rest of your house. So, if
they are clogged, leaking, dirty, or in bad condition, the overall efficiency
of your air conditioning unit is at stake. Clear out severe buildup and patch
holes to ensure your ducts perform their role appropriately. But since ducts are hard to see, allow an HVAC
professional to diagnose your ductwork for potential issues.
The amount of area your AC has to cool, the location of the
unit, the heat produced inside, and other significant factors combine to make a
cooling load for the unit. The higher the
cooling load, the harder it is for your air conditioner to cool efficiently.
- Debris on the Outside Unit
Debris surrounding outside unit are common, affecting the
AC’s performance. Make sure the unit is always clean and free from debris.
First, vegetation and bushes must not slow down airflow. Allow your unit to have enough room to breathe.
There are still some homeowners who do not see filter
replacement as an important task. This
should not be the case, though, because you are only allowing your unit to lose
efficiency. Change the filters every month or every 2 months to keep airflow
moving and reduce dust.
- Age of the Air Conditioning Unit
The AC’s age is another obvious
reason why the performance of your unit is deteriorating. Models that are
twenty years or older are possibly to be less energy efficient. Over time, the HVAC system loses their efficiency as well. The
average lifespan of an air conditioner is around 15-20 years.
All air conditioning units depend on thermostat setting to
determine when your indoor air needs cooling. Insufficient cooling is the main
issue here, mainly due to a malfunctioned thermostat or a thermostat that is
not properly set. If necessary, the
battery.
Your air conditioning system essentially requires routine
cleaning and maintenance to work properly. Sure, you can clean the coils and
change the filters on your own, but maintaining your unit requires more than
just that. There are other tasks that need the assistance and help of a
professional HVAC, like ductwork cleaning and checking refrigerant levels.
Air conditioning units are among the prized machines of your
home as they contribute a lot to make your home very comfortable to live in.
These units conserve more energy, save money, and give better results.