When Your Air Conditioner isn’t Keeping Your Home Cool Featured

With the weather starting to get hotter as spring approaches, many Southwest Florida homeowners may find that their home’s central air conditioner isn’t able to keep to keep the house cool on hot muggy days. Before calling us help, there are a few things you should check first if your home is not staying cool.

1. Is the air filter dirty? It doesn’t take much dirt to reduce the airflow in a typical fiberglass or paper filter. Even if the filter looks relatively clean, if it’s more than a couple months old, replace it.

2. Check the air flow. Check that the supply registers AND returns are not blocked. Move furniture well away from vents to allow the air to flow. It may seem like a good idea to close vents and doors to rooms that are unoccupied, but it can actually cause the AC to work harder and be less efficient due to air pressure differences.

3. Reduce the heat sources in the home. Closing blinds on the south facing windows and cooking outside during the hottest days can make a significant difference in how much heat accumulates indoors.

4. Circulate the air. Portable and ceiling fans don’t cool the air but can move the cooler air into the living space and provide some evaporative cooling that can make warmer rooms feel more comfortable.

It’s important to understand that most air conditioners are designed to deliver only a 20 degree temperature difference from outside to inside. If the temperature hits 100 degrees and the thermostat is set to 75, it’s going to be running constantly. Turning down the thermostat is not going to cool the house any further.

Have air conditioner questions? Call ABC Southwest Plumbing & Air Conditioning, we’re here to help.