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HOME ENERGY CALCULATOR: A new heating and air conditioning system can save 30% - 50% on your utility bills. To find out how efficient your home is now, enter your information into the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick at this URL (click here).
What to do when your air conditioner can’t cool your home.
When summer temperatures soar, we give our air conditioners quite a work out. And in many parts of the country, if your AC isn’t getting the job done, you have a serious problem.
If your house just never seems to be cool enough or if your air conditioner suddenly stops cooling the way it used to, you need to fix the problem before things become unbearable.
The first step is to make sure you’ve recently given your system the routine maintenance it needs. Are the filters clean? Are any of your vents obstructed or clogged? Are Freon levels where they should be? If you haven’t kept your HVAC system in tip-top shape, you should probably call in an expert to give your AC the once over.
If your system suffers a sudden shut down in cooling, you’ll want to check your unit for freezing. Sometimes an overworked, leaky or dirty air conditioner can actually develop ice around critical parts that cause the unit not to work properly. If you detect a frozen unit, shut it down and let it thaw. Once thawed it might start cooling again right away. However, something had to go wrong to create the freezing so make sure you get it checked out or else you might be sweating it out again soon.
If your system seems to be working properly but is struggling to keep your home cool, you might need to provide a little help. Make the sure the exterior part of your unit is shaded and yet not congested by landscaping or tall grass. Keep the shades, blinds or curtains pulled shut on your windows, especially where the sun hits them directly. Check for leaks around windows and doors. Add insulation to any area in your attic that seems suspect. And make sure your ceiling fans are turning in a counterclockwise direction.
Of course it could be that your system is simply in need of replacement. If that’s the case, the good news is that new systems are much more energy efficient than models from just a few years ago. So you’re almost guaranteed to see a nice reduction in your energy bill after a new unit is installed.
For a complete assessment or your HVAC system, give your local ARS home comfort specialist a call to schedule an appointment with your local ARS or Rescue Rooter service expert today.
ADDITIONAL KNOW-HOW TIPS FROM ARS
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