Look, this is Florida. We don’t have the time or the money for sub-optimal air conditioning.
But for some people in Sarasota-Manatee, if the AC turns on and seems to be blowing cool, they’ll just breathe a sigh of relief and leave it be.
Don’t fall into this trap. Even if your AC seems to be “okay,” keep an eye (and ear) (…and nose) out for these warning signs that it needs professional attention, ASAP. Otherwise you could be throwing a lot of money at your power bill this summer—and setting yourself up for even more expensive repairs or replacement at the worst possible time of year.
Attention Sarasota homeowners: Signs your AC needs summer service:
1.) You have to ask, “How often should my AC be running?”
If you have to ask, it’s probably not a great sign.
There are a lot of reasons your AC is kicking on frequently, especially if you’re in Sarasota-Bradenton. And the most obvious explanation may be, “It’s 3 p.m. in southwest Florida in May or June, and it’s 92 degrees and 60% relative humidity outside.”
But how frequent is “too frequent” when it comes to AC cooling cycles? It’s hard to know without considering all of your variables. Your home’s square footage, ceiling height, insulation, type of roof, windows and which way they’re facing are all factors, as well as what kind of HVAC system you have, of course. The age of your unit and how often it’s been serviced will also affect how often your system runs.
So if you have to ask, you should at least ask an expert.
2.) Your AC interrupts conversations, wakes the baby, or makes you turn up the TV.
Air conditioners make noise. Even the brand-new expensive ACs are still slightly audible.
But new noises, or the same noise but louder, is a problem. If the nosie from your AC is interrupting your daily life, it’s probably a bad sign.
3.) You can’t tell if your AC is even on.
On the other hand, a deceptively quiet AC can be a problem, too, especially if you’re not getting good airflow.
This could mean your AC isn’t kicking on when it should—like if there’s a problem with your thermostat or something else. On the other hand, it could be humming along just fine, and you still have a problem.
After all, maybe your AC is great at making cold air, but the air is getting slowed or stopped along the way. That’s a waste of cold air! It’s also a waste of energy and money.
If you hold your hand in front of a vent and still can’t tell if your AC is on, you need to find out where the problem is.
4.) You can hear water dripping. Or smell mold.
An HVAC system doesn’t just cool the air. It should also manage humidity by condensing water vapor into water, collecting it into a pain, and safely draining it outside your house.
And with summer in Sarasota, your AC has a lot of humidity to manage.
If your AC can’t handle the humidity, you’ll likely start to hear that water condensation dripping into places it shouldn’t be. Your drainage system may be clogged, blocked, or even frozen, but something is letting that water go astray.
And if this indoor humidity problem goes on for too long, you’re going to have a mold problem, and fast.
These are just some of the signs your Sarasota home AC needs summer service. Rest assured, it may be a quick, easy and affordable fix! But it’s always best to check, before a little problem becomes a terrible one.
