The hottest days of summer are behind us now, and while your A/C is likely still putting in some work around the house, there’s a good chance it’s not going full-blast all day. Depending on the week, you might even be able to turn it off at night and instead open your windows for some cool air.
Don’t think that just because the mercury isn’t likely to go over 100 anytime soon, you’re out of the woods yet when it comes to A/C maintenance. For many people, this is the time when A/C problems pop up. Fall temperatures in Northeast Florida are prone to wild fluctuations: It could be 55 at night, but 85 in the afternoon. You’ll also need to get your heater and A/C unit ready for the colder temperatures that are just around the corner.
Use this guide to learn more about how to handle your A/C unit this time of year.
Signs of a Struggling A/C Unit
Hot summer days can put a lot of stress on your air conditioning system. Line them all up in a row, which is exactly what the summer season is, and you’re really asking for a lot from your A/C. Over time, it can start to struggle and slow down while becoming less efficient.
Here are a few signs of a struggling A/C unit that you should look at for at the end of the summer season/beginning of fall:
- Higher cooling costs– An air conditioning unit that’s not efficient has to work harder, and you’re going to see all of that extra work in the form of higher electric bills. An inefficient A/C unit can cost you a lot more over the course of a year.
- Strange sounds– If your A/C unit is working a lot harder than it should be to keep your home cool it might be making a lot of creaking, groaning and other strange noises. Listen to your air compressor and around vents to see if your A/C unit is making funny sounds.
- Frequent cycling– An A/C unit that’s turning itself on and off a lot isn’t cooling your home properly. It might also be struggling to cool at all. Frequently cycling is a sign that your compressor may be having trouble that needs to be addressed by a professional.
- Visible ice on your outdoor compressor– Visible ice on your compressor is often due to leaking coolant. This can result in an A/C unit that doesn’t work so well. Over time, performance can be decreased dramatically.
Preparing for Fall
You might not need to sit in front of a powerful fan with the A/C going around the clock anymore, but that doesn’t mean your heating and cooling needs are over the for the season. Preparing for fall is your next step because pretty soon the cold weather will be upon you. Then you’ll need your heater to stay warm until spring breaks.
The best thing you can do to prepare your A/C unit for fall and winter is to have professionals come and look at your unit. Seasonal inspections are an ideal way to keep problems that can result in big repair bills from popping up. Schedule an appointment with Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric ASAP so you’ll have your A/C and heating unit in tip-top shape when the first cold snap hits.
