Living in Jacksonville means putting up with THE HEAT. One week your air conditioning is just humming along, and the next—well, let's just say it's not exactly tamed. If you've got a unit that's had some cranky moments, here are a few potential reasons why:
1. Filter. The first is the first and the simplest. A dirty filter can be a serious problem. In fact, breathing in air that's been filtered but not well-filtered can lead to overheating your unit—AND your space.
2. Thermostat. You might as well go nuts if your unit keeps going nuts. If a cycle's needed, just start it already. If it's not needed, then... what the hell is going on!? [If you don't have a cycle you like, just go to steps 1 and 10 and get back here.]
3. Fan. Without a fan, heat's just gonna hover. And if your fan's gotten ornery, you might wanna consider this question: Have you put it through paces lately, like up to 16 in a row, past 60? Alzheimer's, but also a great point.
Now visualize this: you just got back from a long day, and all you want is to collapse in your cool yet comforting abode. But hold on; it’s not so comfortable because instead of the cool gust of relief you’re used to, you’re faced with a stream of warm air that seems to mock you. You might as well go and take a dip in the nearby St. Johns River. This part of the problem is easily fixable; if it's just a matter of having a well-placed vent or a more direct line of airflow in your favor, then congratulations! You've just saved yourself at least a couple of hundred dollars. But what if the problem is deeper? What if your AC unit is leaking or otherwise in need of repair? These problems tend to sneak up on you, often at the most inconvenient times, with the most inconvenient types of sounds—like drips, for instance. But now is not the time to panic. Here’s what you need to know to assess and address the issues that your AC unit may be having.
And then there’s the situation where the AC decides to stop completely, usually right before a huge weekend or when company is about to show up. Believe us; we’ve seen it all. Sometimes, it’s just a capacitor or a motor that’s thrown in the towel after years of heroic service. Think of it as a car tune-up; a few tweaks here and there keep everything running like it should. Regular maintenance might feel like a nuisance, but it’s your best friend in disguise, kind of like that reliable umbrella you carry for those sudden, shutdown Florida storms. By paying attention to your AC before it pushes the button on a heat wave, you’re ensuring much more enjoyable days ahead.
