Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house?
There are several root causes for a running air conditioner that isn’t adequately cooling your home.
- Improper thermostat settings, such as being set to ‘heat’ or ‘fan.’
- A dirty air filter clogged with dust and debris
- An outdoor condenser unit with a fin blocked
- A spike in outdoor temperatures
- The AC systems evaporator coil is frozen
- The HVAC system is low on refrigerant
- The HVAC air ducts are leaking
- The AC unit is not powerful enough for the size of the home or building
The professionals at 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating are happy to help with any troubleshooting and diagnostics for your HVAC system.
How do I troubleshoot an air conditioner?
- Begin by making sure that the unit is connected to a power source and that a breaker is not tripped or a fuse blown.
- Once you’ve established that power is flowing, check the thermostat––be sure it’s set to the correct temperature and switched to a ‘cool’ or ‘auto’ setting. Readjust if necessary and wait at least 5 minutes to reassess.
- If settings are correct, check that the thermostat is located in an area of the home that accurately reflects ambient temperature; if it’s in a cooler spot, the air conditioner will naturally run warmer. It’s also worth checking that windows and doors are sealed well, and that vents and registers aren’t blocked.
- Move on to the air filter, checking for debris and dust that could be limiting air flow.
- If the air filter is clear but the problem persists, take a peek around the indoor evaporator coil housing and look for excessive moisture or frost, which can be signs of a frozen coil. Run the system on ‘auto’ for a while if you suspect a frozen coil.
- Move outdoors and check the condenser coil for accumulated dirt, grass, and other debris that could be blocking air flow. If there is visible buildup, you can try to clear these away but you could risk damaging the coil.
If you’ve tried these quick fixes but your air conditioner is still underperforming and is paired with higher than normal utility bills, it could be time to look into air conditioning replacement. For professional AC repair in Cleveland, the HVAC experts at 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating have you covered.
Should I turn off my AC if it is not cooling?
If you’ve followed all our troubleshooting recommendations and your air conditioner is still not cooling, it is very important to turn off your AC Unit and call the professionals at 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating to assist you. Prolonged operation under stress or debris buildup can end up causing even bigger problems than poor cooling, and could result in the need for air conditioning replacement. Get in touch with us before that happens and we’ll check on things.
What are the most reliable brands of air conditioners?
Trane, Bryant, York and Lennox are typically recommended as reliable air conditioner brands. In addition, Consumer Reports also rates American Standard and Carrier as ‘excellent’ in owner satisfaction. The experts at 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating can help you find the air conditioning unit that best suits your specific needs. The key is finding an air conditioner that best suits your specific needs––working with a professional can get you there.
How do I service my AC unit before summer?
Before beginning any basic tasks, be sure to turn the AC unit off completely.
- Remove any build up of material on the HVAC unit. Leaves and debris can collect inside and around the condenser unit, restricting airflow and causing cooling problems.
- Clean or replace indoor air filters.
- Remove panels and clean the coils housed inside the AC unit. If you’re not experienced with handling or cleaning AC Units, call the professionals at 72 Degrees Heating and Cooling for help!
After you’ve given the HVAC system a once-over, allow any freshly washed areas to dry completely, replace parts, and then turn the system on for a test run. If everything works well, you’re probably ready for summer’s worst! If you have any lingering issues or you’d like a thorough, professional inspection done, feel free to call 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating to set up an appointment.
What does furnace repair include?
Furnace repair in your Cleveland neighborhood includes a skilled technician diagnosing the problem with your furnace, ordering and installing parts, and then testing the repaired furnace system. This could include anything from removing system blockages to replacing a damaged heat exchanger, removing debris from the blower, replacing damaged wiring, and fully lubricating all moving parts. In addition to furnace repair, tune-ups and other furnace maintenance done on a regular basis can reduce the likelihood that a minor problem will turn into a major repair job.
Why should I get a furnace inspection?
Furnace inspections are crucial if you want to prevent major repairs or premature replacement. Both scenarios could result in high costs and plenty of inconvenience. Regular inspections allow technicians to see what’s going on with your HVAC system and to track potential problems, pinpoint issues, and make recommendations informed by their expertise and experience.
Implementing suggestions made after an inspection could reduce the likelihood of your furnace failing in the middle of winter. Besides this reason, some manufacturers require regular, professional inspections as a term of their warranty. Inspections can also catch life-threatening situations before they progress, such as carbon monoxide buildup or a fire hazard due to a leak in the fuel system.
How often should my furnace be inspected?
A furnace should be inspected annually, before the heating unit is in regular use in winter. The best time to service your furnace is during late summer. Any furnace issues left alone could result in costly emergency repairs or replacements and delaying furnace inspections could also leave you without heat in the middle of winter.
Are annual furnace inspections really necessary?
Besides saving money on last-minute, after-hours, or emergency service, regular inspections and maintenance help your HVAC system to run more efficiently, reducing overall utility costs. Many manufacturers also recommend or require annual inspections and maintenance by a qualified technician. Warranties often include specific language explaining that damage due to improper maintenance is not covered. While policies vary across companies, annual checks get expert eyes on your system and are a surefire way to know if anything potentially worrisome is going on with your HVAC unit.
Annual inspections also incorporate a thorough carbon monoxide testing. Trained professionals can detect an excess of this colorless, odorless gas, which can be deadly.
Are UV furnace lights worth it?
UV lights hold powerful properties that damage the cellular structure of molds, bacteria and viruses, preventing them from carrying out normal processes and eventually destroying them. UV lights could potentially bring relief to those with mold allergies and chronic respiratory illnesses, or compromised immune systems.
However, because UV furnace lights work on living organisms only, other contaminants and allergens that cause or exacerbate respiratory conditions will need to be filtered out or excluded from indoor air by other means. If you’re noticing excess moisture, mold and mildew or poor indoor air quality, make sure you’re regularly changing filters, sealing up leaks, and properly maintaining your HVAC system.
Beyond the health benefits, UV lights can also help your furnace to run more efficiently and improve its lifespan. If you would like to work out accurate costs to run and maintain a UV system, please get in touch with the team at 72 Degrees Air Conditioning and Heating for specifics.
How often should I have HVAC maintenance?
Both a furnace and an air conditioner should be inspected and maintained on an annual basis. Prior to the season in which that portion of the HVAC unit is expected to perform, it needs to be thoroughly inspected to ensure that it can handle the job. So two yearly checks are really best for overall HVAC health.
These inspections should be done well before the heating or cooling unit is in regular use to allow time for any repairs or maintenance that need to be done. The best times of year for inspections are late summer for your heating system and late winter for your cooling system. Otherwise, if issues are left to worsen, homeowners could be left with no heat during the coldest days of winter, and no relief from soaring summer temperatures.
How often should I change my HVAC filter?
Knowing how often to change a filter depends on several key factors: type of filter, number of people, number of pets, existing air quality, health concerns, and system usage. In general, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing an air filter every 90 days. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can be changed every 6-12 months. Air filters should be changed more frequently if the household includes a larger family, there are pets, or if individuals suffer from allergies or asthma. As a rule of thumb, each pet shaves 30 days off of the filter changing schedule, due to the dander, dirt, and hair they bring into the home. Because air is often circulated more vigorously during winter and summer, your filter changing schedule could pick up speed on a seasonal basis. Reference manufacturer instructions and ask your trusted HVAC Cleveland provider if you’re at all unsure.