TAKE ACTION NOW!
- Check your air filters, replace them if dirty.
- Run the ceiling fans in your home 24 hours at low to medium speed.
- Almost every ceiling fan has a switch to change the fan direction. Set the fans to run counter clockwise which will pull the heat from the ceiling and blend it with the cooler air at the floor level. https://www.delmarfans.com/educate/basics/how-to-reverse-a-ceiling-fan/ scroll down and select the video to play.
- If you have return air grilles in the wall instead of the ceiling, make sure the returns are not blocked by furniture.
HVAC Wall Return Air Grille
- Keep most of your drapes or shades drawn during the day, this can make a significant difference.
- I recommend that you leave all bedroom doors open (if possible) for blending the air across the home.
- If you have a two story home, and you have two central air systems one up and one downstairs, make sure that the upstairs AC system is set between 78-80 degrees, even if you are not using the upstairs.
- Check to see that your outside condenser coil is clean and unobstructed (12 inch clearance all the way around if possible). If it needs cleaning, Home Depot or Lowes has chemicals to spray on to the coil to help dissolve dirt-dust-debris buildup. Adhere to the instructions exactly. Leaving chemicals on the coils longer than is recommended by the product instructions can ruin your coil. TURN OFF the power (there is a disconnect outside near the AC coil) to the unit before cleaning. Clean the unit in the morning before the heat of the day begins.
Image of Exterior Condenser Coil (left) and Interior Evaporator Coil (right)
- Place this insulated tent over the attic access ladder opening available at Home Depot or Lowes. This product is by far the simplest solution and installs quickly.
Attic Hatch – Insulated Tent Cover
MY SITUATION
The air conditioning in my older single story home is unable to keep up with 104 degree outside temperature. During this heat wave I begin each day with the thermostat set to 74 degrees. AT 5 PM the interior temperature hovers around 77 to 78 degrees until 8 PM. After 8 PM the home begins to cool down and stays comfortable until about 12 noon the following day. Each day the cycle then repeats itself.
I have been told that it’s not unusual for the AC to run for hours when the temperature is 100 degrees or more . . . not to worry! Systems that serve the upstairs of a two story home, built prior to 2005, may run 24 hours a day (heat is rising from downstairs to the upstairs).
SCHEDULING SERVICE
If you suspect that your system IS NOT cooling adequately schedule an HVAC appointment. It should be much easier to get an appointment during weeks with maximum daytime temperatures of 95 degrees. It is better to schedule a morning appointment so that the technician will be fresh upon arrival.
This week I visited two wholesale HVAC supply warehouses in Plano and shared my story with the manager. Each manager provided me with the name of companies that I am told ARE HONEST and that they refer their friends, family and business associates too. I have scheduled an appointment for this coming week. I am willing to spend the money but I expect a proper evaluation and a clear explanation of what my options are. The HVAC service should know without hesitation how to work with the manufacturer warranty to recoup as much as possible towards the repair.
Here are the names of two companies that I was assured I can trust and as it turns out have numerous 5-Star reviews on Google. I CAUTION you that there are so many companies out there with very similar names (don’t get them confused)! I have no affiliation with these companies, I try to maintain a list of good to excellent contractors for my clients. To view my current subcontractor list select this link https://aplusinspection.net/sub-contractor-list/
RECOMMENDATIONS
5 Star HVAC Contractors / 4.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 398 Google reviews
Address: 4514 Rowlett Rd suite 100-b, Rowlett, TX 75088
Areas served: from Mesquite to Frisco
Hours: Open 24 hours
Health & safety: Staff wear masks · Staff get temperature checks · Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits · More details
Products and Services: places.singleplatform.com AC or Furnace service call $69 / AC tune Up $245
Phone: (972) 845-1103
https://5starhvaccontractors.com/?utm_campaign=gmb
Energy Attic / 4.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 227 Google reviews
Address: 811 E Plano Pkwy Suite 120, Plano, TX 75074
Areas served: Denton, Collin, Dallas, Fort Worth Counties & More
Hours: 9AM-5PM Monday-Friday
Phone: (972) 548-0088
