San Marcos is a charming college town, full of incredible waterways to paddle on, fascinating museums, great restaurants, and need we mention, the country’s largest outlet mall!

San Marcos is a great place to live – especially when your HVAC system is running correctly! One of the best ways to keep your air conditioner operating smoothly is to have it inspected by a professional once or twice a year. By doing so, you’ll be avoiding problems like your system cycling on and off too quickly, warm air blowing instead of cold air, or leakage issues. Here are some thing to check for: 

 

Dirty Air Filter

One-Inch air filters should be replaced every few months. High quality four-inch filters should be replaced yearly.  Otherwise, you’ll experience a decreased airflow, higher power consumption, and less-than-ideal air quality.

 

Refrigerant Leak

Air conditioners rely on refrigerants to keep the air cool. If you have a leak, you might hear hissing, your home might feel more humid and warmer than usual, the cooling cycle will take longer than usual.  Look for oily/dark spots on the outside unit.

 

Water Leak

Without regular air conditioner maintenance, the line used to flush water from the system could become clogged with debris, bio-growth, and/or mold. You’ll see water leaking if this is the case.

 

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Sometimes your air conditioning unit will start tripping its electrical circuit breaker. There can be a few reasons for this:

  • You have too little refrigerant to keep the system cool
  • The electrical connections are damaged or not tight enough
  • A dirty air filter is limiting airflow
  • And more

 

Thermostat Issues

Make sure it has power and is switched to the auto or cooling mode. Some thermostats stop working when they need new batteries.

 

Freezing Condenser Coils

The condenser coils release the heat from the home to the outdoors and if they’re frozen, they can’t do their job. A frozen condenser coil can be caused by several things including a dirty air filter and/or refrigerant leaks. The best way to avoid this is by scheduling annual maintenance to your system.

 

Weird Noises

If your system starts making loud noises, there is definitely a problem. Turn the system off and call a professional. Leaving it running will only damage your air conditioner’s components. Problems with your air conditioning can affect your home in a multitude of negative ways:

  • It can create water stains on your walls and/or ceiling
  • It can accelerate the growth of mold and mildew
  • It will increase your energy bills
  • Your house won’t be at a comfortable level

During some seasons in San Marcos, the temperature fluctuates so much that you have your heat on for a little while in the morning and then the air conditioning on in the late afternoon. During times like this, always double-check that your air conditioning system is set to “cool” or “auto” when you want it to cool. For more information about our Comfort Advantage Club maintenance program or if you have any questions or concerns about your air conditioning, contact the experts at Comfort Crew today.