A St. Louis summer can put an air conditioner through months of heat, humidity, and long cooling cycles. By late August and September, your AC may have been running nearly every day for weeks.
Once temperatures begin to cool down, it is easy to stop thinking about the air conditioner until next spring. But late summer and early fall are actually a good time to pay attention to how your system finished the cooling season.
If your air conditioner struggled during the hottest part of summer, addressing the problem now can help prevent surprises when warm weather returns.
Did Your Air Conditioner Keep Up This Summer?
Think back over the past few months.
Did your home stay comfortable?
Did the air conditioner seem to run constantly?
Were some rooms warmer than others?
Did you notice higher energy bills, unusual noises, weak airflow, or inconsistent cooling?
These can all be signs that your cooling system needs attention.
Common symptoms that may indicate the need for AC repair in St. Louis include:
- Air conditioner running longer than normal
- Weak airflow from vents
- Warm air coming from registers
- Unusual noises during operation
- Frequent cycling on and off
- Water around the indoor HVAC equipment
- Thermostat and indoor temperature not matching
- Higher cooling costs
- Certain rooms staying warmer than others
Not every symptom means your air conditioner needs to be replaced. Many cooling problems can be traced to airflow, electrical components, controls, drainage, ductwork, or individual parts that can be repaired.
Do Not Ignore a Problem Because Summer Is Ending
A common mistake is putting off an air conditioning repair because cooler weather is coming.
The problem is that HVAC issues rarely repair themselves.
A component that is beginning to fail in September will likely still be a problem when the first hot week arrives next spring.
Having an experienced St. Louis HVAC contractor evaluate the system during the transition between seasons gives you time to understand the problem and decide what to do without the pressure of a 95-degree day.
Check Your HVAC Filter
Late summer is also a good time to check the HVAC filter.
During periods of heavy cooling, your system moves a significant amount of air through the home. Dust, pet hair, pollen, and other particles can accumulate in the filter and restrict airflow.
A dirty filter can make the HVAC system work harder and may contribute to comfort and airflow problems.
Filter replacement schedules vary depending on the type of filter, home, equipment, pets, and other conditions, so homeowners should follow the recommendations for their specific HVAC system.
Look Around the Outdoor AC Unit
Your outdoor air conditioning unit also spends the summer exposed to grass clippings, leaves, dirt, vegetation, and weather.
Keep the area around the outdoor unit clear and make sure vegetation is not growing directly against the equipment.
If you notice unusual sounds, visible damage, or something that does not look right, schedule professional HVAC service rather than attempting to open or repair the equipment yourself.
Fall Is a Good Time for HVAC Repairs
Late summer and early fall give homeowners a valuable window between peak cooling and heating seasons.
If you have been putting off an AC repair, HVAC troubleshooting visit, ductwork problem, thermostat issue, or other heating and cooling repair, this is a good time to take care of it.
Rick Rasch Heating & Cooling provides AC repair, HVAC repair, air conditioning replacement, heating and cooling service, HVAC troubleshooting, and system installation throughout St. Louis and St. Charles County.
Call 314-647-7822 for HVAC service or a free estimate.
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