While dirty air filters are a top contributor to air conditioner issues and rising energy bills and should be regularly cleaned or replaced, they’re far from the end. There is a range of often hidden problems that can be easily missed and lead to spikes in your energy bills.

In Florida’s hot, humid climate, no issue should be ignored—if your unit isn’t running efficiently, you risk an uncomfortable and often unsafe environment. To ensure your system always works at peak performance while keeping costs at bay, it’s crucial to know what maintenance issues cause inefficiencies and costly fixes to resolve the problem and prevent it from continuing.

Comfort First Heating & Cooling is here to help you identify issues that could cost you more without you even realizing it.

Leaky Ductwork

Even if your AC unit runs efficiently, your ductwork may be costing you energy and money.

If your ductwork leaks due to structural damage, such as cracks, holes, or poor connections, a significant amount of airflow can be wasted. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that up to 30% of conditioned air can be wasted through these gaps in ductwork, especially if your Orlando home is under-insulated.

You’ll need ductwork repair to restore efficiency to your HVAC system.

Low Refrigerant

Refrigerant is responsible for an efficient cooling process, absorbing heat from your home and releasing it outside.

If your unit’s refrigerant levels are low, which is often caused by a leak, the process will be disrupted, and your unit can’t cool your home properly, leading to higher energy bills. AC repair is the solution you need to recharge refrigerant.

Component Failure

Your AC unit consists of multiple components that are crucial to its overall performance. Should one or more break, your unit may break down completely or overwork itself to meet your cooling demands, which will inevitably cause a spike in your energy bills:

• A weak or broken blower motor hinders airflow from properly distributing around your home, and damaged or dirty coils can’t efficiently transfer heat.
• Failing capacitors can’t give your system the electricity it needs to operate well.
• A malfunctioning thermostat can prevent your system from providing your desired temperature, causing it to overcompensate and use more energy to cool your space.

Request emergency AC repair to address system failure.

Dirty Components

In addition to the air filter, all other parts within your system must be adequately cleaned. Dust, dirt, pollen, and other debris can build up on parts, including:

• Evaporator coils
• Condenser coils
• Fans
• Motors
• Drain pans
• Condensate lines
• Vents
• Ductwork

Regular inspections and cleaning during AC maintenance will help keep these components working.

Inadequate Insulation

Insulation acts as a thermal barrier, key to maintaining an even temperature and humidity level in your home by keeping cool air inside during the summer and warm air inside throughout the winter.

If your home is under-insulated, much-needed cool air can escape through walls, attics, crawl spaces, and other gaps during a blistering Florida summer.

Aging Air Conditioner

One telltale sign of an inefficient AC unit is its age. Generally, AC units last 10 to 15 years. Once they hit the 10-year mark, their efficiency will begin to decrease.

An outdated, overworking AC unit will end up costing you more over time, and an AC replacement is the best solution.

Improperly Sized Air Conditioner

A properly sized AC unit is essential for adequate cooling while keeping costs at bay.

If your unit is too small for your home, it will likely run constantly to try to cool it, often failing.

If your unit is too big, it may cool your home too quickly, resulting in short-cycling.

Both of these issues will lead to higher energy bills and result in costly system damage.

Choose United Air Temp for Expert AC Maintenance in Orlando

With over 90 years of experience in the industry, United Air Temp is Orlando’s one-stop shop for leading AC services. We offer free estimates, same-day and 24/7 emergency services, upfront pricing, and on-time scheduling every time.

As a leader in home comfort since 1931, we’re here to help. Schedule air conditioning services with our team today!