Air Conditioner FAQs

If you have a proper maintenance routine for your air conditioner and you take good care of it, you can expect it to last 15 – 18 years. With that being said, many factors affect the lifespan of your AC unit, including the quality of installation and intensity of use.

The most obvious answer is invest in a new energy-efficient air conditioner. However, if you have an older AC unit, there are a few things you can do to help improve your energy efficiency, including changing your air filters regularly, cleaning your coils, and performing regular tune-ups.

Most air conditioners are optimized for a certain coil, and they require a specific type of refrigerant. At Mountain Home, we always recommend replacing your AC coil when you install a new AC unit.

We like to compare air conditioners to cars; if your car is getting 7 mpg and you’re spending more to repair it, nine times out of 10 you will buy a new one. Similarly, if you are spending more time repairing your AC and your monthly bills have been steadily increasing, you may be better off replacing your unit with a new, energy-efficient one.

There are a variety of reasons for this. However, the most common is that there is a lack of air flow. If you haven’t changed your air filter in a while, it may be dirty, blocking air from flowing in and out of your system. This causes moisture to collect on the coil that then freezes. Another reason could be a low refrigerant charge.

A zoning system separates your home’s ductwork into different comfort areas and gives you independent temperature control for each room. With this AC option, you have the flexibility to cool only rooms that are occupied. By saving energy on your unoccupied rooms, you can expect to see noticeable drops in utility bills!

Aside from the discomfort a noisy air conditioner may cause you, this is also a good indication that you should get your system assessed by a professional. Loud noises coming from an air conditioner can stem from a variety of issues. Depending on your specific AC issue, you may just need some loose screws tightened up, or you may need to replace larger parts such as the evaporator coil or the compressor. Always check with a professional if you are unable to find and fix the issue yourself.

The very first thing to do if your air conditioner is blowing out hot air is to take a look at your thermostat settings. Ideally, your AC setting should be turned to “auto” instead of “on” or “off”. If you find that your thermostat is set to “on” instead of auto, then the fan will be blowing air even when the AC isn’t actually cooling. Another step to take before calling the professionals is to check your outdoor unit. If part of your unit is outdoors, you should check whether debris, dirt, or leaves have covered the unit and restricted the airflow. If your outdoor unit is free of debris, you will want to have a professional check the condenser coil on the inside of this unit to be sure it has unrestricted airflow.

The water you see dripping from your air conditioner often comes from melting ice that has formed on the air conditioner’s evaporator coils. When filters haven’t been changed in a while, ice will often form on this coil and when it melts, you will find yourself with a large puddle. Leaky AC units can also mean low levels of Freon refrigerant or damaged drain line, drain pan, or condensate pump. To find out which of these issues is affecting your AC, we recommend contacting a reliable HVAC professional in your area!

The simple answer is no! You have several different options if your air conditioner compressor has run its course. The compressor is the major part in your outside unit (called the condensing unit) and this can be replaced on its own. However, if your entire system is having issues or is over 10 years old, it is a good idea to replace both the inside and outside unit at once to avoid multiple installation fees. Remember that most manufacturers offer warranties on their units so don’t forget to ask about your warranty options.

This issue stems from low airflow running over the evaporator coil (inside cooling coil) and can be caused by many different issues. Some common issues causing low airflow levels include: a dirty air filter, leaky ductwork, or a broken fan blower.

We recommend that you keep your home warmer than normal while you are away for longer periods of time (around 80 degrees). Then once you return home and need to be cooled down, try lowering the temperature to about 78 degrees. You can also turn a fan on for a few minutes to help circulate the cooler air more quickly.

AC units actually lower the temperature in the room, while a fan just helps distribute the air that is already in the room. A fan alone is not likely to keep you cool, but in conjunction with your AC, it can be an effective resource. If you are going to be running your fan for a long period of time, then it makes more sense financially to leave the fan off and just lower your thermostat another degree or two to get the comfort you are looking for.

Have you noticed a mildew or mold smell coming from your air conditioner? This is a good indication that some component in your AC (often the filter, drip pan, or drain line) is dirty and clogged. Smells emitted from your AC can also stem from unsealed ductwork that has allowed excess moisture to seep in. In order to resolve these more extensive smell issues, it is always a good idea to hire a professional AC cleaning service to get the job done right and safely.