Is Your AC Ready for the Heat? Here’s How to Test Your AC Temperature

It’s starting to heat up in Southern California, and there’s nothing worse than an ac not cooling properly during a 100 degree day! Test your AC temperature now before the heat really hits! Here’s how…

How to Test Your AC Temperature

Running your air conditioner is probably the most expensive part of your household utility bill. The bigger the house, the more area you have to cool. In addition to having energy efficient features installed in your home, it helps to know how to check if your AC is running properly. Knowing how to test your AC temperature will help you determine when to have it serviced.

Dirty Air Filters Prevent Proper Cooling

Before checking the temperature itself, be sure to check your air filters. When air filters are clogged, your air conditioning won’t work efficiently because less air coming through the filter means less air is getting cooled. If this happens, it can also lead to the evaporator coils accumulating frost, causing the system to overheat.

Experts recommend changing your air filters according to the following guidelines:

• Average suburban house with no pets: every 3 months
• Average  suburban house with pets: every 2 months
• Any home with more than one pet, a person with allergies, or located near a dusty zone: every 20-30 days

Keeping air filters clean and free of debris is always the first and easiest step to maintaining your air conditioning system at optimal performance. In fact, a clogged filter is one of the primary reasons for complete system shutdown. Replace filters regularly.

Temperature Check

Now that you know your filters are clean, here’s how to test your AC temperature. You’ll want to do this test on a day when the outside temperature is above 80 degrees F. Follow these steps in order to check if your AC is working properly:

Step 1: Run the AC for 15 Minutes.

Turn the AC unit on and let it run for about 15 minutes. You want to set a baseline and get things cooling before you run the test.

Step 2: Check the Supply Register

• Set a thermometer on the supply register that’s closest to the inside cooling equipment.
• After 5 minutes, record the temperature reading, noting the location of the supply register.

Step 3: Check the Return Vent

• Set a thermometer on the return vent.
• After 5 minutes, record the temperature reading, noting the location of the return vent.

Step 4: Compare Readings to Determine if Your AC is Cooling Properly

Once you have both temperature readings, compare them to see if the air coming out is 14 to 20 degrees cooler than the air going in.

If your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly, it could be low on refrigerant or have other AC repair problems.

You’ve replaced the filters, checked the temperature readings, and determined your system is not working as it should. The solution? Call a licensed technician to further diagnose what is wrong.

It’s a good idea to repair the problem before the temperatures outside become unbearable, putting even more strain on your already deficient air conditioning unit.

A service technician specializing in air conditioner service will know exactly how to troubleshoot your AC unit and make sure it’s ready for the summer heat.