It might still feel like spring now, but the hot summer days are fast approaching! And while it’s always nice to soak up the sun outside, we definitely want to keep cool indoors. For that, an efficient AC unit is key. Your annual maintenance plan appointment can help make sure everything is running smoothly. But what about those older air conditioning units?
By now, you may have heard about the refrigerant phaseout for certain HVAC systems. If you’re worried about what that means for you and your home, we’ve got the answers.
About the R-22 Refrigerant Phaseout
Regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are now in effect for one of the most common ozone-depleting substances: HCFC-22, otherwise known as R-22 refrigerant. This phaseout means that no one in the country can manufacture R-22. It also means that this type of refrigerant is going to be harder and harder to find. And as the supply continues to dwindle, the product is only expected to get more and more expensive. An honest assessment of your current HVAC setup can help ensure you don’t end up wasting money.
How Will Homeowners Be Affected?
If you have a newer AC unit installed, this phaseout shouldn’t have any impact on your future repair or maintenance needs. But homeowners with older systems should definitely take note. Systems that are over 10 years old are probably still using the R-22 refrigerant. So you’ll want to be aware of the coming changes.
The good news is that you can still run your air conditioner or heat pump like normal if it uses R-22. You can even get regular AC repair services for these older units. Just know that if refrigerant is required, those repairs will likely be quite expensive. This goes back to the supply-demand dilemma. Now that production has stopped with R-22, it may not be the best idea to move forward with every repair. Some homeowners want to keep their system for as long as possible, and that’s okay! But if you have to rely on R-22 for a major repair, it might be time to look into options for a more cost-effective AC unit.
AC Repair vs New Unit Replacement
Although the HVAC industry technology continues to get more efficient year after year, no unit can last forever. Facts are facts. Systems that have been running for more than 10 years have a higher chance of running into problems. Regular maintenance can help extend the timeline for some equipment, but those repair costs can also add up fast. Knowing when to upgrade to a more reliable system can help keep your budget in-check.
Homeowners generally find that it doesn’t make sense to put a bunch of money into an older system that is out of warranty. If your equipment is still using R-22 refrigerant without any problems, then by all means, keep it up! But if you know your system has been struggling, it’s a good idea to start budgeting for a new system sooner rather than later.
There are actually a lot of rebates available right now to help you get a solid deal on your home’s new investment. If you’d like to start running the numbers, we’re here to help. We know that weighing the pros and cons of replacing your air conditioner can be confusing and even overwhelming at times, but the more you know, the better off you’ll be. Whether you’re looking for a second opinion or you just hoping to get through another summer with your existing unit, our team can work with you to get the repairs and professional insights you need.
When the heatwaves start heading in, we all want to have a cool place to retreat indoors. Of course, we’d rather not drive up our energy bills to keep things comfortable! A little common sense can help you manage your cooling costs this summer. Use these tricks to get the most out of your AC unit—especially during triple-digit days outside.
1. Adjust your ceiling fans
One way to better regulate your indoor temperature is to change how your ceiling fan blades rotate throughout the year. In the winter, we want warm air to circulate. Adjusting your fan so it pulls air up encourages cooler air to mix with the heat that rises to your ceilings, making your room feel warmer. On most ceiling fan models, this happens when the blades run clockwise.
For the summertime, though, it’s better to have air moving down and away from the fan. The angle of your blades impact which direction they should spin this time of year, but typically it’s counterclockwise. This will add a cool breeze in your room—which is a nice bonus to how your AC is already working.
To test this, all you have to do is stand beneath the ceiling fan. If you feel cool air blowing down on you, then you’ll know you’re set! Otherwise, just flip the little switch on the base of your fan. This will tell the blades to move in the opposite direction. Run your fan on high during hot days, and you’ll really put them to good use!
2. Turn on the exhaust fans
The next thing to watch for in summer is how you manage the hot air in your kitchen and bathroom. Warm showers and hot cooktops add extra heat to your home. Being able to push that air outside can help keep things cooler.
The primary function of your exhaust fan in the bathroom is to reduce your risk of growing mold and mildew in the bathroom. You can turn it on to minimize that muggy, humid feeling. This is important when you’re creating steam in the shower, but it also benefits your home’s AC. You can turn on your exhaust fan whenever the air in the room is feeling thick.
This works for your kitchen too. Use your exhaust fan to pull heat away and out of the room. You don’t have to run these fans for long to make a difference. And when the weather is smoldering outside, every little bit counts.
3. Watch your open doors
Another way to reduce the heat in your home is to keep that cool air in its place—inside! Going in and out of the house for chores in the backyard just gives that cold air more chances to escape. Then your AC has to work harder to make up the difference. The same can be said about your garage door. We see a lot of people leave it up when they’re at home. Again, that just creates opportunities for the hot summer weather to impact your temperature indoors. Keep that garage door down so it becomes another barrier against the heat.
Of course, if you have dramatic temperature swings throughout your home, it might be time to consider other solutions. Looking into zoning for your home can be a great way to direct how your AC and furnace work throughout the year. You divide rooms or levels into distinct zones. This gives each area its own thermostat. Then you can really have control over the temperature in your home.
Hopefully you’ve already gotten your AC unit serviced for the hot weeks ahead, but if not, you can always give our team a call at (317) 238-3961. We’d be happy to come out and get your home (or business!) squared away. After that, just follow these easy tips to keep cool this season. Your air conditioner will thank you!
With warmer days ahead, you want to make sure your AC is ready to go. Sometimes the long break during winter will stop your unit from running properly when you need it to start up. A little maintenance can go a long way.
Prepping Your AC Unit After Winter
It’s always a good idea to clear any debris around your AC unit before turning it on. Sticks and leaves from the fall and winter can collect around your system and interfere with its air flow and overall function. After you check that area out, take a peek at your air filter. It might be time to swap your old filter out for a clean, new one. This will make it easier for your AC to run.
You’ll also want to make sure your unit has power. If the unit doesn’t kick in after you’ve adjusted your thermostat, go ahead and take a look at your circuit breaker before calling your HVAC company. The switches should be flipped to “on,” so this could be a simple fix if you’re having trouble with your AC. Otherwise, you might be looking at some different issues.
Common Problems Starting Your AC
Some problems that pop up after winter are relatively easy to fix, but others require professional expertise. These are some of the most common hiccups we see with units starting up in spring.
1. Thermostat Problems
Hearing a loud racket when you turn on your AC unit is usually a sign that something isn’t right with your blower motor or fan motor. Of course, if you aren’t hearing anything at all, then you might be having a problem with your thermostat.
The electrical wiring from your thermostat is connected to your AC. Assuming your thermostat has good batteries, you might be facing an issue with some electrical work. An HVAC professional can take a look and let you know what needs fixing.
2. Low Refrigerant
When your unit doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it won’t be able to cool your home. Your HVAC company will have the equipment needed to measure the levels and see if they’re low. Unfortunately, just topping off the refrigerant might not be enough. Your system could have a leak. If your HVAC technician says low refrigerant is to blame, make sure they’ve also done a leak search. You don’t want the issue to repeat itself!
3. Dirty Units
After the “off” season, you might also have trouble with a dirty system. The AC unit itself, also known as the condenser, may have dust and debris inside it. This can mess with the fans and block airflow, just like a dirty air filter indoors. A good cleaning can help.
In other cases, you could be facing a dirty evaporator coil. Older units and equipment that hasn’t been serviced in a while will sometimes run into this problem. Because the coil needs to be completely removed for cleaning, this isn’t something you can handle on your own. You’ll need an HVAC technician to help you out. Still, it’s a pretty quick process.
Plan Ahead with a Spring AC Tune-Up
Letting your unit run when it isn’t working properly can lead to a series of bigger problems. If your unit isn't working for your home, call on your HVAC company. Units that are dirty or need a leak repaired should be addressed sooner rather than later. Typically, these problems can be fixed during your annual maintenance!
Scheduling regular maintenance can keep your unit working its best. A technician can check all of your connections, clean up your unit, lubricate its moving parts, and more. Our LCS Annual Maintenance Plans are designed to help you out.
Getting routine checks with your unit before it acts up can help extend its life. Plus, it’s more convenient than waiting for service when something goes wrong. The temperatures will only continue to rise, and you don’t want to be caught without cool air. Let us know how we can help. Give our team a call at (317) 238-3961.