Your AC Made It Through a Florida Summer. What Is It Trying to Tell You?

If you live in Port Orange or anywhere in Central Florida, you know that summer asks a lot from your air conditioner.

For months, your AC has been working through long, hot days, high temperatures and plenty of Florida sunshine. And while we're certainly not finished using our air conditioners just because September is approaching, we're getting to a good point in the year to pay attention to how your system is performing.

The good news? Your air conditioner doesn't have to be brand new, or perfectly silent, to be doing its job.

But it also doesn't have to completely stop working before it tells you something may need attention.

Here are a few things your AC may be trying to tell you after a long Florida summer.

1. “I’m Running Longer Than I Used To.”

During extremely hot weather, longer run times aren't automatically a reason to worry. Your air conditioner has to work harder when the temperature outside climbs.

What you want to pay attention to is a change from what's normal for your home.

Does the system seem to run constantly, even when outdoor temperatures aren't as extreme? Is it struggling to reach the temperature you've set on the thermostat when it didn't have that problem before?

There are many possible explanations, ranging from something as simple as a dirty filter to an airflow, refrigerant or equipment problem.

Start simple: check your filter and make sure your thermostat is set correctly. If everything looks normal but the change continues, it may be worth having it checked.

2. “Something Sounds Different.”

You probably know the everyday sounds of your own home better than you realize—including your air conditioner.

A system turning on and off will naturally make some noise. But a new rattling, grinding, squealing, buzzing or unusually loud sound deserves attention.

Sometimes the cause is minor. Other times, a new sound can be an early indication that a component is wearing out.

The important word here is new.

If your AC suddenly sounds different than it has for the past several years, don't ignore it just because the house is still getting cool.

3. “I’m Turning On and Off More Often.”

Your air conditioner is designed to operate in cycles. What isn't normal is repeatedly starting, running for a very short period, shutting off and then starting again.

This is commonly called short cycling.

Several different things can cause short cycling, including restricted airflow, thermostat problems, refrigerant issues, electrical problems and even an improperly sized system.

Frequent starting and stopping can also put unnecessary wear on the system, so this is one change we recommend having diagnosed rather than guessing at the cause.

4. “The Airflow Isn’t What It Used to Be.”

Stand near one of your vents while the system is running. Does the airflow seem noticeably weaker than it used to?

First, check your air filter. A dirty or clogged filter can restrict airflow and make your system work harder.

Also make sure furniture, rugs or other items aren't blocking your supply or return vents.

If those simple checks don't solve the problem, weak airflow can have other causes involving the blower, ductwork or other parts of the HVAC system.

5. “I Can Cool the House, But Some Rooms Aren’t Comfortable.”

One room that's always a little warmer than another doesn't necessarily mean your AC is failing. Sun exposure, windows, insulation, room location and the design of your ductwork can all affect temperatures throughout your home.

What we pay more attention to is a change.

If your bedroom was comfortable last summer but suddenly isn't this year, or you've started noticing a much larger temperature difference between rooms, that's useful information.

Your HVAC system is about more than the number displayed on your thermostat. It's about keeping your entire home comfortable.

6. “Your Electric Bill and I Need to Have a Conversation.”

Florida electric bills can certainly climb during the hottest months simply because your AC is running more.

Instead of focusing on one high bill, look at the pattern.

If your electricity usage has increased significantly compared with similar weather and household habits—or your system seems to be working much harder to provide the same comfort—there may be a reason worth investigating.

A higher bill by itself doesn't diagnose an HVAC problem, but combined with longer run times, poor airflow or reduced cooling, it can be another clue.

7. “Please Don’t Wait Until I Completely Stop.”

This may be the most important one.

An air conditioner doesn't always go from “working perfectly” to “not working at all” overnight.

Sometimes it gives you warning signs first.

And paying attention to those signs doesn't mean assuming the worst.

A strange noise doesn't automatically mean you need a new system. Weak airflow doesn't automatically mean an expensive repair. A higher electric bill doesn't automatically mean something is wrong with your AC.

It simply means it's worth paying attention.

Start With the Simple Things

Before calling an HVAC company, there are a few things homeowners can safely check themselves:

• Make sure your thermostat is set correctly.

• Check your air filter and replace it if needed.

• Make sure indoor vents and returns aren't blocked.

• Look around your outdoor unit and remove leaves, weeds or other debris that may be restricting airflow.

• Think about what has actually changed: the sound, airflow, run time, temperature or comfort level.

  
  

Those details can be extremely helpful if you do need a technician.

An Honest Answer Is Better Than an Expensive Guess

At Smiley's Heating & Air, we believe homeowners should understand what's happening with their HVAC system so they can make informed decisions about their home.

Sometimes a problem needs to be repaired.

Sometimes an older system means it's time to start thinking ahead.

And sometimes what you're noticing has a simple explanation.

Our job is to figure out which one it is.

If something about your air conditioner just doesn't seem the same after a long Florida summer, give Smiley's Heating and Air a call. We'll help you understand what's going on and what (if anything) needs to be done.

Smiley's Heating & Air

Serving Port Orange and surrounding Central Florida communities

Honest answers. Reliable comfort. Local service you can count on.