Your AC Worked Hard All Summer. Now What?
Another Texas summer is finally starting to wind down.
After months of high temperatures, long days, and your air conditioner running almost nonstop, September is a good time to think about something most homeowners probably have not considered: How did your AC actually hold up this summer?
Your HVAC system works incredibly hard during a Texas summer. Even if it never completely broke down, months of heavy use can take a toll on the system. Small problems can develop, efficiency can decline, and components can begin showing signs of wear.
The good news is that fall gives you an opportunity to catch those problems before they become bigger and more expensive.
Before you forget about your air conditioner and start thinking about cooler weather, here are some things every Texas homeowner should check.
Start With the Simplest Thing: Your Air Filter
Your air filter may not seem like a big deal, but it plays an important role in how efficiently your HVAC system operates.
During the summer, your AC moves a tremendous amount of air through your home. Your filter collects dust, dirt, pet hair, pollen, and other airborne particles along the way.
Over time, that buildup can restrict airflow.
When your HVAC system cannot move air efficiently, it has to work harder to cool your home. That can mean longer run times, higher energy usage, and additional strain on the equipment.
September is a great time to pull out your air filter and take a look.
If it is dirty, replace it. Depending on your home, pets, allergies, and the type of filter you use, you may need to replace your filter more frequently throughout the year.
It is a small maintenance task that can make a noticeable difference.
Think About Your Electric Bills This Summer
Texas homeowners expect higher electric bills during the summer. Your AC is going to run significantly more when temperatures are consistently in the 90s or above.
However, there is a difference between a normal summer increase and a system that is becoming less efficient.
Look back at your energy usage from the last few months.
Did your electricity consumption increase significantly compared to previous summers? Did your AC seem to run constantly without getting your home as cool as it used to?
Those can be signs that your HVAC system is working harder than it should.
A dirty coil, airflow restriction, refrigerant issue, aging component, duct leak, or other problem could be causing the system to use more energy.
An HVAC inspection can help determine whether your increased energy usage is simply the result of Texas summer temperatures or if there is an underlying issue that needs attention.
Did Your AC Struggle to Keep Up?
Think about the hottest days of the summer.
Was your home comfortable?
Your AC will naturally run longer when temperatures outside are extremely high. But if your system regularly struggled to maintain the temperature on your thermostat, there may be something worth investigating.
Maybe your home stayed several degrees warmer than your thermostat setting.
Maybe certain rooms never seemed to cool down.
Maybe your system ran almost constantly without shutting off.
These problems can be related to the HVAC system itself, but they can also point to other issues in the home, such as poor insulation, leaking ductwork, inadequate airflow, or an improperly sized system.
The end of summer is a great time to address these problems because they are still fresh in your mind.
Do not wait until next July to remember that your bedroom was hot all summer.
Listen to Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system should not suddenly sound dramatically different than it did before.
If you started noticing strange sounds toward the end of summer, pay attention to them.
Rattling, grinding, squealing, buzzing, banging, or other unusual noises can indicate worn or loose components.
Sometimes the issue is minor. Other times, unusual noises can be an early warning sign of a component that is beginning to fail.
Either way, ignoring the sound usually does not make the problem disappear.
Having it inspected now could help you avoid a more expensive repair later.
Check the Airflow Around Your Home
Walk through your home while your AC is running and pay attention to the airflow coming from the vents.
Does it feel strong and consistent?
Are there rooms where the airflow seems noticeably weaker?
Uneven airflow can make certain areas of your home uncomfortable while forcing the HVAC system to work harder.
The problem could be something as simple as a dirty filter or blocked vent. It could also be related to ductwork, the blower motor, dampers, or other parts of the HVAC system.
If one room has been significantly warmer than the rest of your house all summer, it is worth having the issue evaluated.
Take a Look at Your Outdoor Unit
Your outdoor AC unit has also spent the summer battling Texas weather.
Heat is only part of the problem.
Spring and summer storms can bring heavy rain, wind, hail, branches, grass clippings, leaves, and other debris around your outdoor equipment.
Take a look around the unit and make sure the surrounding area is clear.
Plants, weeds, leaves, and debris can restrict airflow around the condenser and make it more difficult for the system to release heat.
You should not open or disassemble the unit yourself, but keeping the surrounding area clean and clear is an easy way to help your system operate properly.
If your outdoor unit was exposed to significant hail or storm damage this year, having a professional inspect it is also a good idea.
Consider the Age of Your HVAC System
How old is your current system?
If your HVAC system is getting older, the end of summer is a good time to evaluate its overall condition.
An older system does not automatically need to be replaced. Many HVAC systems can continue operating reliably with proper maintenance.
However, age combined with frequent repairs, high electric bills, inconsistent temperatures, and poor performance may indicate that it is time to start thinking about your options.
Planning ahead gives you time to make an informed decision.
Waiting until your AC completely fails during the middle of a Texas summer puts you in a much more difficult position. When your home is getting hotter by the hour, you are much more likely to make a rushed decision.
Even if you are not ready to replace your system today, understanding its condition can help you plan for the future.
Schedule a Fall HVAC Inspection
One of the best things you can do after a long summer is schedule preventative HVAC maintenance.
A professional technician can inspect the system, identify worn components, check electrical connections, evaluate performance, clean necessary components, and look for problems that may not be obvious to the homeowner.
Preventative maintenance is not about finding reasons to replace equipment that is still working.
It is about understanding the condition of your system and catching problems early.
A small repair today could prevent a much larger repair later.
It can also help your HVAC system operate more efficiently and potentially extend the life of your equipment.
Do Not Forget That Heating Season Is Coming
It may still be hot outside, but Texas weather has a way of changing quickly.
Before long, that first cold front will arrive and you will switch your thermostat from cooling to heating.
That is another reason September and early fall are great times for HVAC maintenance.
A fall inspection can help make sure your heating system is ready before you actually need it.
The first time you turn on your heat should not be the moment you discover something is wrong.
Give Your HVAC System Some Attention This Fall
Your AC just spent months keeping your home comfortable through another Texas summer.
Before you forget about it until next year, give your system a little attention.
Change the filter. Look at your energy usage. Pay attention to unusual noises. Check the airflow around your home. Clear debris from the outdoor unit. Most importantly, think about how well your system actually performed this summer.
If something did not seem right, now is the time to address it.
A little preventative maintenance this fall can help improve efficiency, catch potential problems early, and keep your HVAC system running reliably when you need it most.
If it has been a while since your last HVAC inspection, schedule a fall HVAC tune-up with a trusted local professional. Your system worked hard all summer. Now is the perfect time to make sure it is ready for what comes next.
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