As the schools start the process of reopening and the kids start to bring home report cards, it may have got you thinking about other things that you may not be completely certain about since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. While you may have been diligent about giving your children all the attention they needed to learn at home, have you neglected your air conditioner? Our air conditioners often run throughout the summer without any complaints, but you need to know your equipment will work well when you need it the most. So, this may be the right time to assess your air conditioner and make sure it’s hitting the grade.
Why Grade Your Air Conditioner?
Many of us think nothing of switching on the AC when the weather starts to heat up. Unfortunately, if you don’t give your air conditioner any attention between the end of summer and the following spring, you may find that it doesn’t work as you expected, when you need it.
Grading your AC equipment is a great way to periodically check its condition and if it is showing signs of deteriorating. Just like a child’s report card that keeps you informed of their progress and highlights any issues, giving your air conditioner a grade will help you to make comparisons year on year and from one service appointment to the next.
If you start to identify issues that mean your air conditioner only deserves a poor grade, it may be time for an upgrade or to consult an HVAC technician. In fact, it may highlight that there is a problem that cannot wait for your regular technician visit and needs urgent attention.
The Grades
Of course, if you’re just considering implementing a grading system for your HVAC system, you need to set some standards. This will help you to rank your system consistently. Here is a suggested guide for HVAC grades you could use.
A: Perfect
Just like in school, an A grade is the best you can get. Your air conditioner is worthy of an A grade if it is working well with no hiccups, hitches or high energy bills. It should operate with no strange noises, weird smells or inconsistencies. Many air conditioners with this grade will have just been installed into a home that is perfect for them. But, you can achieve this grade by ensuring your system is regularly maintained by an experienced, reputable technician. This will allow preventative maintenance, so any potential issues are addressed before they can develop into a problem.
B: Near Perfect
If your air conditioner is generally running smoothly with only a couple of minor issues, then it is worthy of a B grade. You may even be able to improve the grade and get it to an A next year with a little maintenance and care.
While you may be happy with a near perfect grade, don’t get lax about your servicing or you could quickly wind up with a failing grade. Maintain your servicing schedule and ensure any minor issues are repaired promptly.
C: Satisfactory
If your air conditioner is coasting along and keeps your home cool, but little else, it should be ranked as satisfactory. It may run your energy bills a little high or you may think about shutting it off some nights because it isn’t worth the cost. You may also notice the occasional strange noise or have the odd occasion when there is a hot or cold spot somewhere in your home. While this is delivering okay cooling, there is room for improvement. In fact, if your air conditioner is now approaching 15 years old, it could be reaching the end of its potential lifespan and it may be time to start considering a replacement. If your equipment is younger, it is likely to be worthwhile calling out a repair technician to check the system for underlying issues.
D: Unsatisfactory
If your air conditioner has reached a point where it barely cools your home half the time, it causes your energy bills to skyrocket or you seem to be calling a repair technician every couple of months, it is certainly unsatisfactory. It may be time to consider replacement options. While purchasing new air conditioning equipment is an investment, the energy savings alone will help to offset the initial costs.
F: Breakdown
Your air conditioner deserves a failing grade when you switch it on and nothing happens. This can happen when there is a recurring problem that causes a total breakdown or it is simply so old, there is a cascade failure. This typically occurs when the equipment has reached its expected lifespan, so you may already be aware that this problem was on the horizon. Be sure to discuss replacement options with your HVAC technician and you may be pleasantly surprised at some of the deals on offer.
Extra Credit
If you want to boost your air conditioner’s grade, you may want to consider some extra credit activities. Some simple maintenance habits such as changing the filters, cleaning the vents and ensuring the outdoor condenser unit is not obstructed by garden debris can improve the performance of your equipment.
Of course, the best way to ensure your air conditioner gets a top grade every semester is to schedule regular servicing and maintenance. An experienced technician can fully assess your system to check for underlying issues, potential problems and worn components. This will not only improve the overall performance of your AC, but it will ensure the equipment is operating at optimum efficiency, so you can avoid sky high energy bills.
If you are concerned that your air conditioning system is not operating properly and may need some care and attention, be sure to consult a reputable HVAC professional. An experienced technician can diagnose underlying issues and provide guidance about whether it may be time for a replacement. They can also provide you with your upgrade options to help ensure you enjoy the best energy efficiency without sacrificing your home comfort.