What It Means if Your Air Conditioning Is Cycling Too Often

Even though modern HVAC systems are designed to be as efficient as possible, issues can still take place at any point throughout the year. If your AC is cycling too often, then it might be time for you to take a closer look at what is causing that common problem.

Clogged Air Filter

As a homeowner, regularly changing the HVAC air filter is one of your most important maintenance tasks. When the filter is clogged, it is going to put quite a bit of strain on your HVAC system and potentially reduce its lifespan. A clogged filter could also result in your AC system cycling on and off because it can’t keep your home at a consistent temperature. As a general rule, residential air filters should be replaced once every month or two.

Oversized Air Conditioner

Getting an oversized AC system might seem like a good idea, but that could actually result in bigger problems down the road. An oversized AC will cool a home too quickly, and that means it is going to cycle off and on more often. If you think that your AC is oversized or undersized, then you should contact an air conditioning contractor to have the entire system inspected.

Refrigerant Leak

Your AC’s refrigerant should be in a closed and compressed system, and that is why it is so important to take care of leaks right away. In addition to overheating the compressor, a leak could also allow toxic chemicals to escape. Luckily, most refrigerant leaks can easily be patched in a matter of hours, and you should see the benefits of that fix almost immediately.

Thermostat in a Bad Location

Your home’s thermostat is a simple device that tells the HVAC system whether it should be off or on. If the thermostat detects a high temperature, then it will send a command to the AC unit to blow cool air into the home. Unfortunately, some thermostats are placed in bad locations, and that means they won’t be able to accurately read the temperatures. As a general rule, a thermostat should be placed in a central location in the home that is away from windows, vents, and appliances.

While you might be able to take care of some of these issues on your own, you should always leave major repairs to the professionals. Attempting to work on your HVAC system on your own could result in expensive problems that bring your life to a grinding halt.

The Most Prevalent HVAC Mistakes Most Homeowners Make

Here's something not many homeowners are aware of: their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is not only one of the most expensive components of their homes, it is also one of the most energy-hungry. 

Maintaining the heating and cooling system is considered a must if you want your HVAC system to operate at peak efficiency at all times. Most HVAC mistakes that cause system inefficiencies occur during installation, maintenance, and incorrect operation. 

Considering how costly it can be to buy, install, and operate an HVAC system, it makes perfect sense to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Unfortunately, many homeowners commit errors that can shorten their HVAC's lifespan and force them to call for HVAC repairs sooner than anticipated.

If you have an HVAC system at home, below are some of the mistakes you should avoid at all cost:

Tinkering with the settings constantly 

People have various comfort levels. One temperature setting can be cool or warm enough for you, but it can be uncomfortable for other members of your household. In similar scenarios, household members will change the thermostat to suit their preferences.

Unfortunately, constantly fiddling with the settings can significantly affect your HVAC unit's overall efficiency and performance. If anything, HVAC settings should be stable. If you can't always agree on one setting, it is recommended that you consider installing a programmable thermostat.

With a smart thermostat, members of the household have the option to set the temperature they prefer for a specific time of the day when they are at home without tinkering with the settings constantly.

Improper placement of the thermostat

Just like air conditioning maintenance, the importance of installing the thermostat in the right place cannot be overstated. If you have a programmable thermostat and you place it in a spot where it gets a lot of sunlight or near air vents, it can give out inaccurate readings.

Ideally, thermostats should be placed in the center of your home. Avoid installing the thermostat near hallways, air vents, windows, doors, and kitchens, as well as areas that are regularly hit by sunlight, as it can cause your HVAC unit to work extra hard.

Not changing air filters

Cleaning or changing the air filters is one of the most straightforward HVAC maintenance measures you can make. The process is very simple: just take the air filter out, clean it, and put it back. Unfortunately, many homeowners forget or neglect to change the air filters.

Contrary to popular belief, HVAC filters are designed to do more than just trap and hold dirt, dust, debris, and other contaminants in the air. HVAC filters can also play a crucial role in ensuring your HVAC systems remain efficient.

If you don't change your HVAC air filter at least once a month, the accumulated debris, dust, and dirt can affect the airflow. This forces your HVAC system to work extra hard, so everyone stays comfortable. Over time, this can cause the HVAC system to function poorly. This can also result in reduced energy efficiency and higher energy bills.

Foregoing scheduled maintenance

This is something many homeowners are guilty of. Understandably, many homeowners forego routine maintenance because their units are working just fine. However, HVAC systems, just like anything mechanical, require periodic care to ensure it continues to function as efficiently. 

HVAC condenser coils for one need cleaning. Thermostats need to be calibrated, and all the electrical parts also require tightening and inspecting, among other things. With regular maintenance, you can significantly lower the energy bills and avoid costly breakdowns. More importantly, you can help prolong your HVAC system’s life.

It is recommended that HVAC systems undergo routine maintenance and checks before the winter and summer months when they can be used heavily. 

Holding on to outdated HVAC units

While HVAC units are designed to last a really long time, the efficiency and performance of outdated HVAC systems can eventually decline over the years. Most of the time, older HVAC systems will take longer to cool or heat a room. Ice buildup on the evaporator coils is also very prevalent in old units.

Old HVAC units also tend to be noisier. In addition, old models also have a lower Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio rating (SEER), which measures the efficiency of your HVAC system. 

New HVAC units and models have higher SEER ratings. This means you will be able to save more on energy rather than holding on to your old HVAC system. 

Conclusion

Operating an HVAC system can be expensive. Fortunately, avoiding the most common mistakes above can help ensure you won't have to spend more. In addition, it is also crucial that you have your HVAC system checked by professionals regularly. This is important so your system can function effectively and efficiently for many years to come.

Air Conditioning Tips, Tricks, and Hacks You Should Know

We partnered with a cooling company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

With ever-rising global temperatures, air conditioners have become indispensable for many people.

However, for all the comfort it brings, air conditioner use does account for 46 percent of the energy consumption of an average American home.

We also tend to work our AC systems to the point of shortening their lifespans, especially if we’re in the habit of keeping them on while we’re away.

Considering the cost of buying and installing an air conditioning system, we’d all want the one we have to last for as long as it should. At the same time, we would like our AC unit to be as efficient as possible.

Apart from regular AC maintenance, there are other tips, tricks, and hacks that will help us do just that. Here are some of them.

Smart Curtain Use

When your air conditioning is running full blast in the summer, you can help it do its job by using curtains, blinds, and drapes smartly.

The above window attachments can help keep direct sunlight out during the day. With your curtains, drapes, or blinds down, you can help keep the temperature inside cool and ease your AC’s workload at the same time.

Do Some Tree-planting

Curtains, drapes, and blinds are good at blocking the sunlight coming through the windows, but they can’t do much about the sunlight hitting the roof and walls directly and making your home feel like an oven.

If your home gets plenty of sunlight, you might want to consider planting trees in strategic spots around the house. 

Trees, specifically those with broad leaves, can provide your home with plenty of shade to keep temperatures down, which should help your air conditioning unit out in terms of performance and efficiency.

Keep The Air Filter Clean

Your air conditioning unit’s air filter doesn’t just prevent dust particles, pet dander, and allergens from circulating in your home.

Aside from maintaining good indoor air quality, air filters also protect the internal components of the AC unit itself.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for air filters to accumulate dust and debris to the point of clogging.

Once the air filter is blocked, it will lead to poor airflow, which will force your AC unit to work harder and longer just to keep you comfortable.

If you use your AC unit sparingly, cleaning or replacing the air filter every two months would be ideal. For more frequent AC use, a once-a-month replacement should do.

Neglecting regular air filter maintenance can significantly decrease the AC life expectancy. A well-maintained system not only ensures a comfortable environment but also prolongs the lifespan of your air conditioning unit.

Wear The Right Clothing Indoors

Some people turn the thermostat way down to keep themselves as cool as possible.

The problem with doing this is that setting lower temperatures means the AC compressor will have to work longer, which leads to higher energy consumption.

You won’t have to do that if you wear appropriate clothing indoors.

Shorts, tank tops, and clothes made of breathable materials like cotton, linen, or jersey help you keep cool.

Wear any of the above indoors, and you can stay comfortable even when the thermostat is at 26 or 27 degrees instead of 18. That much difference translates to considerable energy savings.

Use Fans

When your AC unit is running, you can help it out by turning on fans, which can help cool air circulate throughout your house.

While any type of fan is acceptable, Energy.gov favors ceiling fans when the AC is on, as it allows you to set the thermostat higher without compromising your comfort.

During the summer, set your ceiling fans to turn counterclockwise at a higher speed. Doing so will create a wind-chill breeze effect that will keep everyone at home feel cooler.

Cook Outside

The lower the temperature in your home, the better it would be for your AC unit.

Since cooking on your oven or stove will make your home hotter and your AC work so much harder to keep everyone comfortable, consider breaking out the grill and preparing your meals outside.

All of the above tips can help ease the burden on your air conditioning system. Do them on top of having your air conditioning system serviced professionally on a regular basis, and you will have an efficiently-working cooling system that will last a long time.

4 Reasons Why Your Heating and Cooling Won't Turn On

As a homeowner, very few issues are as frustrating as a broken heating and cooling system. Luckily, most HVAC issues can easily be taken care of as long as you catch them early on.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Whenever an appliance is no longer working in your home, the first thing that you should do is double-check the circuit breaker. The breaker box is usually found on the side of a home, but yours could be located in a closet, garage, or patio. At the breaker box, there should be a single switch that runs to your HVAC system. If that switch is red, then the circuit breaker has been tripped and you will need to reset it.

Severely Clogged Air Filters

Many homeowners don’t realize that severely clogged air filters can actually result in a system malfunction. That is just one of the many reasons why you should regularly check and replace your home’s air filters. While every home is slightly different, most residential air filters need to be changed at least once every month or two. As an added bonus, regularly replacing your air filters will also improve your HVAC system’s efficiency, and that is going to lower your heating and cooling expenses.

Broken Thermostat

Even though most modern thermostats are very durable and will run smoothly for quite a few years, those devices aren’t going to last forever. At some point, your thermostat is going to break, and that is when you will need to call an air conditioning repair company. An experienced technician should be able to replace your thermostat in a matter of minutes. To further improve your home’s energy efficiency, you might want to speak with your HVAC technician about replacing your old thermostat with a “smart” thermostat.

Refrigerant Leak

In the vast majority of residential HVAC systems, the refrigerant is kept in a closed line. If that line ever leaks or appears to be damaged, then you must immediately contact an HVAC company for repairs. The refrigerant that is put in HVAC systems is highly toxic, and that is one repair that you never want to carry out on your own. Your technician should be able to patch the leak or completely replace the faulty part in a matter of hours.

While some of these issues will be annoying to deal with, they can typically be avoided with a little bit of maintenance. At least once or twice a year, you might want to consider hiring an HVAC technician who offers preventative maintenance services.