If you are experiencing warm air, insufficient airflow, frequent cycles, high humidity, water leaks, bad odors, or unusual noises your AC might be broken.
According to Energy Star, you should consider replacing your AC when it's over 10 years old. So in a perfect world, you should only have to replace your A/C once every 10—maybe 15—years. But, as with all mechanical equipment, A/Cs can wear out sooner than their expected lifespan.
A clogged condensate drain line is the most common cause of water leaking from your AC into your home. If the drain line gets clogged with dust, dirt, sludge or mold, that water backs up into your home. There are multiple unclogging methods, like using a wet/dry vac on the condensate line.
Yes, they do. They are dehumidifiers in everything but the name. Air conditioners were invented by Willis Carrier in 1902 specifically for the purpose of reducing the moisture in the air, and luckily they also lower the temperature.
Before cleaning, make sure both your outside and inside units are turned off. To clean your condenser unit, first, ensure the power is off so you don’t get a shock. Remove the covering and use a fine brush to gently remove dirt and debris. Be careful – they’re very fragile! Use a mixture of water and mild detergent to carefully remove the buildup from the coils.
Here are averages that may help you know how regularly you should get a new air filter at your residence:
- A vacation house or one occupant and no pets or allergies: every 6–12 months.
- An ordinary suburban home without pets: every 90 days.
- One dog or cat: every 60 days.
To test your central air conditioning system, turn the AC unit on, place a thermometer on the supply register for five minutes, then check the temperature and compare it to the temperature from the return vent.
The cost to install central air conditioning, including the unit, ranges from around $3,000 to over $7,000 on average, according to home services company HomeAdvisor. But the price tag varies widely depending on where you live, the type of system you need, and the condition of your existing air ducts.
Running your air conditioner all day is generally safe, as in, it probably won't cause a fire or other disaster in your home. For many, leaving the A/C on all the time may actually be more efficient than turning it off in the morning and turning it back on when you get home from work.
If the AC system is operating correctly, then the air coming out of your vent should be about twenty degrees cooler than the regular temperature inside. So, if you're cooling it and the house is 80 degrees, then you would ideally want the air to be about 60 degrees.