No matter what you think the cause may be, the weather has been a lot more erratic than in past decades: streaks of hot days in the winter, frigid, winter weather when summer should be well into full swing, not to mention hurricanes and other extreme conditions. This can affect comfort levels, but it can also affect energy management if you don't notice the systems turning on and staying on longer than necessary. Here are a few concerns, repairs, and upgrades that can help you stay efficient as the weather becomes weirder--and they won't be a waste of time and money if everything stabilizes.

Erratic Weather Effects On Air Conditioning Units

First, think of the energy saving feature. This feature is designed to turn the air conditioning unit off once it reaches a specific cool temperature, and then turn it on once the temperature gets warmer. Some systems overcool the home, turn off, and only turn on once the temperatures reach your set limit again.

It's different for every model, but the general idea is to hover around a set temperature without having to constantly turn on and off. If the system is only turning off for a few seconds, there's really not much of a difference from leaving the unit on.

In addition to the cooling and sensing technique, your home needs to be at a stable temperature. In most cases, a well-built, well-sealed home is not affected by outside temperatures so quickly that the air conditioning unit (or heating unit) has to turn on within 3-5 minutes. This is different when dealing with extreme temperatures, but once a home has reached a target temperature, the home should be able to seal in that temperature for long enough to save some money before the outside temperatures have a major effect.

Strange temperature differences are throwing off many calculations. A season that flips between hot and cold on a regular basis may push some homes to switch between heating and air conditioning too often. It may also cause the systems to stay on for too long if the household doesn't have time to switch to a new, comfortable, stable temperature.

Maintenance And Improvements For Weird Weather

First, get an inspection. A home air conditioner repair person usually works on specific air conditioning unit parts, but they can also check the home for areas where outside temperatures are working against the system.

Some problems can be fixed quickly, such as adding sealant to windows, repairing ducts that move air around the home, or sealing small cracks near the air conditioning unit and ventilation equipment. Bigger problems will need a home repair contractor, but the air conditioning professional can point out the problems they've noticed to give you an idea of what to expect from a contractor. They may even be able to suggest a partner company.

You may also want to invest in a new air conditioning unit, or at least a new thermostat. Smart home technology refers to systems that are controlled by computers with more customization options.

Most systems today, and even as far back as the 1990s, were already computerized to some extent, but now you can input temperature thresholds/ranges such as 75-79 degrees if you're fine with wider fluctuations and just want temperature treatment for when things get extreme.

Contact a home air conditioning repair professional to discuss improvement options.