When the temperature starts to rise and your AC begins to strain under the load, you’re probably itching for some cool air. But if your home AC isn’t working as efficiently as it could, you may start feeling a little hot. This means that not only is your AC struggling to keep things cool in the summer, but it’s also not operating at peak performance. And when an air conditioner isn’t working efficiently, you can start noticing some unpleasant side effects from its poor performance: discomfort from high humidity levels, a musty smell, and an increase in maintenance costs. So if you notice any of these signs that your AC isn’t working well, don’t panic—this might just be a part of what they call “seasonal reliability testing.”
When Should You Expect Reliability Testing?
Seasonal reliability testing is performed during the hottest months to ensure that your air conditioner is operating at its full potential. This testing is performed in three stages throughout the year. In the first stage, your local utility company turns your air conditioner off and on during peak hours to see how efficiently it can operate. This may sound like an unnecessary practice, but it doesn’t hurt to have a fully operational unit during the hottest hours of the year. In the second stage, the utility company measures the compressor’s efficiency by determining how efficiently it can cool down a room. If your compressor is running at about 75% efficiency, it will take 75% of the energy to cool a room as it can. The third and final stage is preparing for the next season. During this stage, your air conditioner is turned off and on to determine how efficiently it functions at partial capacity. This testing gives your air conditioner a chance to break in and become more efficient before the summer heat comes.
You’re Feeling a Musty Smell
Humidity and high temperatures are often present in your home during seasonal reliability testing. That’s because your AC struggles to operate efficiently when it’s sweltering outside. At the same time, however, humidity levels inside your home can increase drastically as your AC struggles to keep up with the high humidity. If you notice a musty smell in your home, or if you’re outside and the air smells like a wet basement, it could be a sign that your AC isn’t operating well. HVAC units often have a high moisture content and produce a musty smell. humidity Levels Are High and Cover the Entire House During seasonal testing, your air conditioner will try to keep up with the high humidity levels and the high temperature. This can put a significant strain on your system. The high humidity levels, combined with the high temperature, are like a sponge soaking up the moisture in the air. This makes it very hard for your system to remove moisture and cool your house down. If you notice that your entire house is covered in a heavy mist and your AC isn’t working well enough to clear it away, it could be a sign that your unit isn’t operating efficiently.
Your Energy Costs Are Rising Rapidly
If your energy bills are rising rapidly while your air conditioner is struggling to function at full capacity during seasonal testing, it could be a sign that your system isn’t as efficient as it could be. However, if this is the case, it could also be a sign that you need a new system. If your old system is struggling to keep up with your high energy consumption, then a new system will have a much easier time with the task of cooling you and your home. If you’re thinking about replacing your current system, you should consider how your old system is functioning. If you notice that your old system isn’t as efficient as it could be, you may be better off with a new one.
Your Home Smells of Pet odors
If your pet smells are particularly strong in your home during seasonal testing, it could be a sign that your AC isn’t working as efficiently as it could be. However, it could also be a sign that your pet is producing excess odors that are getting trapped in your home. If you have a pet but you notice that its odors are getting trapped in your home during seasonal testing, try taking one of the steps below. Check your filters and make sure they’re cleaned regularly. Keep your home clean and vacuum regularly.
So You’re Not Sure If Your Air Conditioner Is Working Or Not?
If you’re not sure if your air conditioner is working or not, you can do a few quick checks to see if they’re operating as they should. Make sure your air conditioner is running and that there’s a noticeable pressure coming out of the unit. When the air is colder, turn your thermostat down and your air conditioner off to see if it’s as cold inside as it should be. If your air conditioner is running but isn’t keeping the temperature within its normal range, it could be a sign that it’s not working as efficiently as it should be.
Should You Be Concerned About Seasonal Reliability Testing?
Now that you know when seasonal reliability testing occurs, and you know that your AC might not be working as efficiently as it could be, you might be wondering if you should be worried. After all, if your AC isn’t operating at peak efficiency, it could be costing you more money in energy bills and taking longer to cool your home than it should. However, seasonal testing actually helps your AC become more efficient. During seasonal testing, your air conditioner will run at only 75% capacity. This means that it has 25% less work to do, so it can take advantage of higher temperatures and higher humidity levels without breaking a sweat.
The Final Word – Should You Replace or Repair Your Air Conditioner During Seasonal Reliability Testing?
Now that you know when seasonal reliability testing occurs and you’ve taken a closer look at the signs that your AC isn’t operating as well as it should, you can make an informed decision about replacing your system or repairing it. If your air conditioner isn’t working at full capacity during seasonal testing, it could be a sign that it’s not operating efficiently. This means that it’s costing you more money in energy bills, taking longer to cool your home and creating a lot more wear and tear on your system. If you notice that your system isn’t as efficient as it should be, you should definitely replace it. This will give it a chance to cool your home efficiently before the summer heat comes and gives it a lot more work to do.
Should You Replace or Repair Your Air Conditioner During Seasonal Reliability Testing?
During seasonal reliability testing, your air conditioner will only operate at 75% capacity. This means it can take advantage of high humidity levels and high temperatures without sweating. If your system isn’t as efficient as it should be during seasonal reliability testing, however, it could cost you a lot more money in energy bills and create a lot more wear and tear on your system than it needs to. If your air conditioner isn’t operating as efficiently as it should be during seasonal testing, you should definitely consider replacing it. This will give it a chance to become more efficient before the summer heat comes and allows it to take advantage of high humidity levels without breaking a sweat.