How to Tell if Your AC Unit is Working Effectively

Our HVAC Service Contractors Share These Essential Tips to Optimize Your Air Conditioner and Avoid Issues

Bright days of sunshine, fun summer nights, and summer mornings lounging inside – all the pieces to make the perfect summer!

But the Kansas City heat can quickly become your enemy when the worst happens: your AC unit breaks down. While sometimes AC unit breakdown can be unpredictable, much of the time, the problems can be avoided, and with the right knowledge you can catch it ahead of time.

There are multiple signs that indicate that your air conditioning unit might be on its last legs, and knowing them means you’re less likely to be caught off guard and hit with a unit breakdown, needing emergency help, and forking out for immediate HVAC repairs and installations.

When possible, Blue Heating and Cooling always recommends replacing your HVAC equipment on your own terms rather than experiencing an emergency situation.

To get on top of any HVAC service you might need, check out these essential ways to ensure your air conditioning unit is working effectively this season.

1. Familiarize Yourself With Your AC Unit

The surest way to catch when your AC unit is not working optimally is to understand what it looks like when it is. It’s always good to keep an eye on how often it’s running and the noises it’s making.

A healthy AC should not be running all the time and should cycle intermittently to keep your home at the optimal temperature. If your unit is running all the time, it might be a sign that it’s working overtime and needs HVAC maintenance or repairs.

The noises your AC unit makes are also a good indication of how effectively your system is working. In a healthy AC unit, you should only be able to hear a light and gentle whooshing sound and the outdoor condenser unit should be quiet enough that you can have a conversation nearby without having to raise your voice.

Concerning sounds include banging, rattling, or clicking, or a hum that is louder than regular volume conversation. Call an HVAC service contractor like Blue Heating and Cooling if you hear these noises.

2. Keep an Eye On Temperature Fluctuations

An efficient air conditioning system should keep your home at a moderate temperature indoors regardless of the temperature outside. A healthy unit is able to automatically adjust the temperature by pushing cool air through your home, uniformly and consistently based on the temperature set on your thermostat.

Temperature fluctuations and inconsistent cooling of the home are signs that your AC unit might not be doing its job efficiently. If you’re experiencing inconsistent cooling and temperature changes, call us – your local HVAC service contractors – and we’ll inspect your AC unit.

3. Replace Your Air Filters

Many homeowners are surprised to find that they should be changing their air conditioning filters at least every three months, especially during summer, and much more often if you have pets, children, or a multi-person household. Clogged or dirty filters can cause your air conditioning to function ineffectively, and switching out the filters is an easy fix.

To help stay on top of filter changes, sign up for our HVAC service agreement. It covers your yearly HVAC maintenance including two of your filter changes.

4. Schedule a Duct Cleaning

If your filter is clean, but there still seems to be a circulation problem or dust problem, it might be dirty ducts at play. Debris, dust, and other pollutants can build up in your ductwork and affect how certain rooms receive conditioned air from their vents. If you’re struggling to keep up with the amount of dust in your home, your ductwork could also be to blame.

In this case, an air duct cleaning is necessary to remove dirt, dust, and other pollutants from your ductwork – the conduits responsible for distributing warm or cool air to each room in your home. This requires physically removing this debris using abrasive brushes and vacuums.

A skilled HVAC service contractor can get the job done safely and effectively, so booking a full duct cleaning with a trained team like Blue Heating and Cooling is the ideal way to improve your air circulation and household cleanliness.

5. Assess Your Home’s Insulation

One of the main reasons for poor heating and cooling efficiency in your home is deficient home insulation. Even if your system is operating perfectly, poor insulation can lead to your home overheating in the summer. Your HVAC system will work overtime to compensate for the rising or dropping temperatures. If you suspect this might be the problem, a professional HVAC service near you can inspect your insulation and advise you on how to correct the issue.

6. Check You Evaporator Coils

The AC evaporator coil is responsible for absorbing the heat in your home. With excessive dust buildup, your evaporator coil can’t work as effectively in absorbing the heat, leading to poorer performance of your AC unit.

A HVAC service contractor can clean the component and ensure it’s not overworked, so your air conditioning unit can operate at its best.

7. Book Regular HVAC Service With Us

Regular HVAC maintenance is the best way to ensure your AC unit is working optimally and not overworking. At Blue Heating and Cooling we believe in meticulous maintenance, outstanding customer service, and always earning your trust so you can count on us for thorough inspections and quick HVAC repairs.

We also offer an HVAC service agreement to take the hassle out of your HVAC maintenance throughout the year. When you sign up, we send one of our highly-qualified HVAC service technicians to inspect and maintain your cooling unit in spring and your heater in fall, so you can trust that your system is working effectively throughout the whole season.

For an Efficient AC, Meticulous Maintenance, and the Best HVAC Service In Kansas City, Call Blue!

Don’t wait until the worst happens. Stay on top of your AC unit maintenance so you can avoid costly repairs and rising energy bills. Blue Heating and Cooling are your partners in all things HVAC.

As the “best HVAC service contractor in Kansas City” – according to our customer testimonials, anyway – we provide HVAC service quickly and are committed to providing exceptional assistance and exceeding your expectations. Call us today to schedule an appointment and experience the Blue Heating and Cooling difference!