Uneven cooling, high humidity, and high energy bills are some of the most common signs your air conditioner is too small for your home. Your cooling system should be properly sized to do its job correctly. Otherwise, it’ll struggle to keep your home at your desired temperature.
Living in the Amarillo, Texas area means you need consistent cooling; otherwise, you’re at risk of more than just a little discomfort. On the hottest days when outdoor temperatures reach 90+ degrees, a malfunctioning air conditioner could cause your home to heat up to dangerous levels, putting you and your family in danger of heat-related illness.
If your air conditioner is too small or your cooling system isn’t working properly, contact Frank’s Repair. Our experienced HVAC technicians will inspect the entire cooling system and determine whether it’s a sizing problem or something else, like a refrigerant leak or a clogged condensate drain line. Your comfort is our number one priority.
How do I know if my AC unit is undersized?
The best way to confirm you have an undersized AC unit is to schedule a consultation with a professional air conditioner technician. At Frank’s, our licensed technicians understand how factors like the local climate, window direction, ceiling height, the number of rooms in your house, etc., all work together to affect your air conditioner’s effectiveness. We’ll calculate the optimum BTUs (British Thermal Units) required to work well in your home, and help you find the perfect upgrade to suit your needs.
What Happens When Your AC Unit Is Too Small?
You may think that undersizing your air conditioner will use less electricity, but the opposite is true. An AC unit that’s too small for your house will have to work overtime to convert the warm Texas air in your house to cooled, conditioned air, leading to premature wear and tear and uneven cooling. The best course of action is to replace your undersized system with an air conditioner that fits your home and suits your needs.
6 Signs of an Undersized AC Unit
The following are the most common undersized AC unit symptoms to look for.
1. Your home never reaches the set temperature
An air conditioner that’s too small will constantly struggle to cool your house, even if it’s running day and night. If your home’s always too warm, no matter what temperature you set the thermostat to, your AC is probably undersized.
2. AC runs constantly
A properly-sized air conditioner will turn on and off a few times per day. If your AC is always running, that means it is always working to hit your desired temperature, without ever reaching it. This is a sure sign it’s too small.
3. High humidity levels indoors
Air conditioners remove moisture from the air as part of the cooling process. If you have high indoor humidity levels, even when the AC is on, it may not be big enough to do the job properly.
4. Uneven cooling throughout the house
Small air conditioners won’t be able to evenly cool the house, and you’ll end up with warm spots or rooms with different temperatures. Upgrading to a bigger AC will evenly disperse the cool air, so every room stays at your desired temperature, even on the hottest day.
5. Increased energy bills
An undersized air conditioner that’s running 24 hours a day, or turning on and off repeatedly, will use excessive amounts of electricity, increasing your energy bills. By upgrading to an efficient, appropriately-sized unit, you can save hundreds per year on power.
6. Shortened system lifespan
A small air conditioner has to work much harder than an appropriately-sized unit would to perform its job, and the inner workings of the unit will start to wear out much quicker than they would in a larger AC. Components like the fan motor, the compressor, and the evaporator coils will break down, leading to costly repairs, eventually needing replacement.
Wear and tear on undersized air conditioners is exacerbated by the amount of time the system has to run to keep up with cooling demands, operating continuously to cool your home. This heavy use will eventually lead to premature failure, long before the 15 to 20 years a perfectly-sized AC would last.
Risks of Ignoring an Undersized Unit
If you’ve already got an undersized air conditioner installed in your home, it might be tempting to ignore it, letting it run 24/7 and living in an unevenly-cooled house with warm and cold spots, uncomfortable humidity, and higher-than-normal energy bills.
The heat in Potter and Randall Counties is relentless in the summertime, so your air conditioner won’t get a break, eventually overworking until it’s damaged. When your air conditioner continues to run with malfunctioning parts and uncontrolled wear and tear, you’re at risk of:
- Loud operation: If mechanical parts start breaking down, your air conditioner may sound louder than usual, with humming, banging, rattling, grinding, or squealing noises.
- Refrigerant leaks: An overworked AC may spring a leak in the coils, causing hazardous refrigerant leaks.
- Health issues: Your undersized AC won’t keep your home comfortably cool, which will affect your sleep, your comfort, and your health.
- Property damage: If the humidity inside the house gets too high, wooden furniture, doorframes, flooring, and more will warp.
- Mold and mildew growth: An undersized cooling system will create a warm environment with high moisture in the air, where mold and mildew thrive.
- Fire hazards: If your AC is constantly running, it could lead to electrical issues, putting your home at risk of an electrical fire.
- Total system failure: Over time, an overworked air conditioner will break down completely.
What to Do If Your AC Is Undersized
While having a slightly undersized AC is better than having an oversized unit, it’s best to replace it with a system that fits your home correctly. Call Frank’s repair plumbing, and we’ll work with you to find the best AC for your home size.
We’ll come to your house for an in-depth consultation to determine the right size and go over your options with you, so you get the most efficient, convenient air conditioner that meets all your needs. We’ll also provide an accurate quote, as well as financing options, so you know what to expect once the work is done.
On installation day, our technicians will remove your old AC, prepare the area, and then expertly install your new air conditioner, connecting it to your electrical and HVAC system with precision. We’ll test and calibrate everything to make sure it’s working efficiently before they leave.
Call Frank’s for AC Repairs, Installation, and Replacement in Amarillo, TX
At Frank’s, our technicians are qualified, licensed AC experts, offering maintenance that’ll stop your AC from freezing up in the summer, expert repairs, troubleshooting when your AC won’t turn on, replacements, and more. From emergency services to whole-home comfort solutions, our team is available now to help.
If you’re in our service area, including Amarillo, Bushland, Borger, Boys Ranch, and Canyon, you can schedule your consultation with us today by calling us or contact us using our online form.
