Your AC’s capacity takes into account how much cooling it produces to keep your home comfortable. Certain factors can keep it from running at full capacity, though. This means your system runs longer and uses more energy to cool your home than it should. How do you know if your system is running as well as it’s designed to? Here are some things to look for.
- Age. The older your system gets, the less efficiently it runs. Annual tuneups help keep it at optimum efficiency longer, but even then, it won’t last forever. If your AC is more than 10 years old, chances are that its cooling capacity isn’t what it used to be.
- Obstructions. Several things can reduce the air that flows from your AC into your home. If your filter is clogged, less air flows through it. Likewise, if there are obstructions around your vents or registers, such as furniture or picture frames, it means less air flowing into your house, reducing your AC’s capacity and forcing it to run longer to cool your home.
- Air leaks. Air leaks around your windows, doors, baseboards, outlets, and other places can also reduce your AC’s cooling capacity. These leaks let ambient outdoor air into your home, which displaces the cooled air from your AC so it has to run longer. A home energy audit can determine where you’re losing energy so you can repair the leaks and restore your AC capacity.
- Ductwork leaks. If there are leaks in your ductwork, cooled air from your AC can’t reach your home, causing energy losses of up to 30%. Check for pinhole leaks, tears, and other damage to your ducts, as well as any areas where two sections of ductwork have come apart. Repair these leaks with metal tape or mastic sealant to keep the air flowing at full capacity. Likewise, be sure your ducts are well insulated so the air doesn’t lose cooling between the unit and your home.
To ensure your AC operates at full capacity, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We keep HVAC systems running at full capacity in Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area