Current heat wave and AC problems (for sale, mobile home, maintenance)

[12buttons]

Why do AC units go out when it gets this hot? IS this typical? The heating and cooling guys are all over my block...it turns out I need a new capacitator - is this typical for a seven year old unit? Seems odd that when you need the AC most, it poops out!

It's HOT out there...when does it cool off, you veterans of the summers?

Do I need to change the filters too?

Thanks!

[artemis]

I change the filter every month, when the mailman brings the electric bill.

Some people don't get their a/c unit checked out before summer starts, and they really should. Hot weather can be dangerous, and a little bit of preventative maintenance goes a long way.

[BirdieBelle]

It's normal for them to break down this much because this is when they're running at peak capacity. Yes, you should change the filters every month - without fail - when it runs this much. That's one of the first reasons your unit can go out. One thing you can do to keep it running right is not jack around with the thermostat too much. Find a temperature you can stand and leave it there. If your unit is older, don't turn it WAY up to 76 or 78 while you're gone during the day and then back down to 72 or whatever you like at dinnertime and expect it not to wear out. Try to keep it running fairly evenly.

There are many ways your HVAC can break, so it pays to get a "check-up" once in the summer and once in the fall before you turn on the heat. If he fixed your capacitor and your compressor is still OK, you could get 5 more years out of your unit.

It is a little early for it to be this hot, but yes, this heat is exactly what you'll get the rest of the summer.

Yee-haw!!!!

[themudpuppy]

I did twice a year maintenance on my old a/c and changed filters monthly, but it still had a habit of breaking down on the hottest day of the year every year, and would break down at least twice each summer. It especially liked the combination of the hottest day and a holiday or weekend when repair companies charge extra. The year before last I finally decided enough was enough and I got a new one. So far so good (knock on wood).

It should cool down around September or October. Or maybe not. We may or may not have a fall. Summer can last through part of what should be fall, and then all of a sudden winter starts early and takes over the rest of fall and before you know it, fall is gone and you only had a few real fall days. Sometimes we'll have summer temps before winter ends and when spring hits we'll get winter temps again. One day we'll run heat with lows in the 30s, the next day we're in the 80s running a/c. Our weather can get pretty wacky.

Definitely change your filter regularly. That is a must or you can just about guarantee a breakdown.

[12buttons]

thanks for all the tips....yes the weather is what it is - one of the reasons my house is for sale. I am just not a hot weather person. Headed back home.

[septimus]

I don't know if this is really true or they just put in a unit not big enough for my house, but the AC repair guy basically said that AC will only cool the house about 20 degrees, so if it is 100 outside the best I can hope for inside is 80.

[CountryGirl2b=]

Just wondering what temperature people keep their A/C at? We're trying to be conservative with the electric bill (still used to them being $300 - $700 in CT). Since the 'summer' started we've had it at 79. Upstairs I have to run fans. But it's been OK. As the weeks go on we might try 78 since the house doesn't ever seem to get to cool down. Night temps seem to be getting higher.

We have a small house - around 1500 sq feet. And the electric bill is about $110 for leaving the thermostat at 79.

Informal poll - what temp is your thermostat in the summer?

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by septimus

I don't know if this is really true or they just put in a unit not big enough for my house, but the AC repair guy basically said that AC will only cool the house about 20 degrees, so if it is 100 outside the best I can hope for inside is 80.

Sounds about right. A bit worse when you're in a mobile home (I'm in one), because of the poor insulation. With the thermostat set to 75 all day, during the hottest part of the afternoon with the a/c running non-stop, the best I can hope for is around 84 degrees inside when the temps are in the mid-90s-100 outside. I have a huge floor-ceiling bay window that takes up a whole wall, on the west facing side of the house, and that lets in a lot of heat during the hottest part of the afternoon, even with the blinds closed. I hung black plastic trash bags over my windows to use as shades when it's extremely hot, and that has helped quite a bit this summer.

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by CountryGirl2b=

We have a small house - around 1500 sq feet. And the electric bill is about $110 for leaving the thermostat at 79.

Informal poll - what temp is your thermostat in the summer?

I used to have mine set at 78, but my elderly dog can't take the heat very well anymore, so this summer it's set at 75. During the hottest part of the day when it's this hot, 75 or 78 makes no difference in my house, as it won't get down below 84, but during the rest of the day, 75 is a lot more comfy for my dog than 78 was. I dread seeing the electric bill though, especially now that our electric company is charging more for summer usage. This will be the first year of them using peak usage billing. Will let y'all know what the next bill is, with the thermostat set to 75.

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by 12buttons

thanks for all the tips....yes the weather is what it is - one of the reasons my house is for sale. I am just not a hot weather person. Headed back home.

The weather is one of the reasons I'm moving too. I'm moving to a hotter state (Arizona), but I can handle the dry heat there. It's the high humidity with the high temps that do me in here. And the winters. But mostly the storms. I'm so sick of severe storms. There are things I will miss about TN. The weather isn't one of them.