As Floridians, we strongly rely on our air conditioning to keep us cool and comfortable in the unforgiving Florida heat, but it does us no good if a problem occurs.
These A/C problems, while not limited to only Florida, can be related to many of the elements we experience here, line rain, intense heat and humidity, and strong storms. While these are out of our control, what is in your control is how you handle these situations.
Learning about these common problems, what causes them, how to best prevent them, and the solutions to fix them is all valuable information for those local to Florida, who are visiting, or looking to call the sunshine state home.
Problem #1: Old HVAC System
Nothing is meant to last forever, but the Florida sun, heat, and humidity definitely expedite the aging process of your unit. A unit that is exposed to direct sunlight may have to work harder and can therefore reduce its efficiency. All of these elements can have a direct negative impact and age your unit faster than it would age naturally. Aside from that, older systems are generally less efficient and may take longer to cool your home or not cool it enough.
Look For: Inconsistent cooling or higher temperatures in your home or office. It’s also important to be aware of the age of your system.
How to Prevent: Regular maintenance can help you extend the life of your unit, however, old age is inevitable and therefore, is no guaranteed way to prevent aging.
How to Fix: Replacing your unit with a newer model will fix any problems caused by the old HVAC system.
Problem #2: Debris and Flooding Around Unit
What’s important to note is weather like rain showers has no real effect on your unit or its performance. Your air conditioning condenser is meant to withstand seasonal rain patterns and is built with it in mind. The unit, its hardware, and even its wiring are made to function normally and hold up through the rain.
However, summer showers in Florida can bring masses of rain lasting from mere minutes to several hours, so it’s important not to rule out the possibility of flooding causing problems. Constant rain can puddle around your unit and even begin to submerge it if it’s not elevated. While yes, it’s made to withstand rain, it’s best not to have it sitting in water.
Along with this, strong winds from storms or hurricanes can throw debris around, lodging leaves, sticks, or other debris and projectiles into your unit.
Look for: Debris wedged into your unit, underneath it, or around it, and water pooling or puddling around your unit.
How to Prevent:Ensure your A/C unit is elevated on a concrete slab and away from low-lying areas of your yard or places that you notice flood frequently. Investing in a cover for your unit may be beneficial during Hurricane Season.
How to Fix:Clean your unit of debris when you see it.
Problem #3: Poor Air Quality
Florida is known for having all sorts of allergens and peak allergy times of the year, making indoor air quality a high priority for many who live here. Ensuring your air quality is high inside your home can help to alleviate symptoms and reactions.
The easiest way to do this is to check your air filter regularly and replace it if needed.
Look For:Dust around your home, and sudden sneezing/coughing reactions possibly due to allergies.
How to Prevent:Change your air filter every 1-3 months (depending on the household and if you have any pets).
How to Fix:It may be possible that even after replacing your air filter, your system may need a tune-up or cleaning. Once your unit is cleaned and tuned up, regular changing of your air filter should suffice and keep allergens at bay.
Common Problems are No Match for the Experts at Avis
A/C systems are susceptible to many common problems, so you should conduct regular inspections and maintenance to ensure they’re functioning properly. Remember that you are not alone in dealing with these issues. With local professionals like Avis, we have the experience and expertise to navigate common problems we see regularly and create solutions that will work for you.
When A/C emergencies arise, we’re available 24/7, 365 days a year, and are local to Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and the greater Southwest Florida area.
Contact us today!
Cape Coral – (239) 542-4421
Fort Myers – (239) 481-1511
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