NORFOLK, Va. — With high temperatures in the 90’s, our air conditioners are working overtime. Joe Hutton the HVAC Operations Manager at Hutton Electric, Air and Heating believes that might cause an increase in breakdowns.
"So most of the systems in the area were actually sized for 90° days. So when we get a heat index north of 100, you're going to have a lot continual runtime which puts a lot of stress on it,” Hutton said.
Hutton says the recent breakdowns are due to parts not working. The most common breakdown is the capacitor.
“We're seeing a lot of part failure, a lot of motor failures, and specifically unique to our area because our humidity levels are so high," he explained.
Most of us will crank the air conditioner when we get home but Hutton says a good approach is to find one temperature and keep it there is more efficient and better for long-term use. He recommends at least one annual checkup of the cooling system between March and May.
For those, not experienced with HVAC systems, Hutton recommends going to the experts to fix them.
Here are some tips you can do to help hopefully prevent a breakdown:
- Keep your filters clean. They will help with air quality and flow.
- Avoid sunlight by closing blinds and shades when in your home. Try to keep spaces cool when possible.
- Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. Hutton says proper ventilation can make the entire house feel cooler.