Pass the Clickah - Do You Need to Adjust Your TV's Volume Every Time Your AC Cycles on and Off?

With summer nearly upon us, it's time to test your air conditioning unit – or better yet, have it professionally serviced – to ensure that it is in good working order during the heat of the upcoming months. Making sure that your system is functioning at peak efficiency will save you money while protecting you from an unexpected malfunction this summer.

How noticeable is the noise that your air conditioner makes? If you find yourself reaching for the remote to turn up the television or radio volume every time the AC cycles on, it could be a sign that your system isn't operating at peak efficiency. If a loud unit is compromising the noise level in your home to the point that you are noticing it or, worse yet, adjusting your lifestyle to mitigate the sound level, you'll want to consider maintenance to fix the problem or perhaps even decide to replace your current setup with a more energy-efficient system.

Ignoring a noisy air conditioning system can lead to serious problems, so your first order of business is to consult a professional. Loose fans or a buildup on fan blades could be causing a rattling or humming noise and a little maintenance or cleaning by an HVAC specialist should take care of the problem. A professional can also identify loose screws, a lack of lubricant leading to grinding between surfaces, or even aging parts that are no longer operating at peak efficiency. Reducing noise levels might be as simple as swapping in a replacement part or adjusting existing components.

However, not all noise issues can be solved by maintenance alone. If the problem is serious, replacing your entire unit or system with a new model could not only solve the problem but also increase your home's cooling power and energy efficiency. The latest high efficiency technology is light years more efficient than systems installed even as recently as a decade ago, and Energy Star options provide the opportunity to reduce a home's gas and electricity costs by a significant amount.

Other upgrades to your home's central cooling system might include zoning your home or upgrading your thermostat. Zoned cooling maximizes comfort in certain areas while reducing unnecessary use in less-trafficked rooms. Thermostat upgrades can provide you with increased environmental control and the ability to program cooling levels during times when you are at home versus parts of the day when you might be out of the house.

If your home lacks the ductwork essential to a central AC system, consider installing ductless air conditioning. This technology uses a heat pump system that can also heat your house during cold months. Contact your HVAC professional to learn about installing this type of high-efficiency cooling.

The last thing any homeowner wants to deal with in the middle of a heat wave is a malfunctioning air conditioner, so keep an ear on the problem by identifying whether your current cooling solution is making a lot of noise. And even if you don't hear telltale rattling, grinding, or humming, prevent any problems with your current system by having it professionally assessed now so that you can make any necessary repairs or replacements before the really hot weather arrives.


For more information, visit www.rodenhiser.com.