Touchstone Heating & Air Inc. Blog: Archive for September, 2021

6 Common Causes of an AC Become Inefficient

Monday, September 20th, 2021
HVAC unit surrounded by piles of cash symbolizing costly HVAC repair service.

A great air conditioning system does more than keep your house cool. It keeps your house cool without wasting energy. In other words, it runs efficiently

But the same way that an AC can start to decline and provide less cool air, it can also start to become inefficient and waste energy. The two don’t even have to go together: you might still enjoy ideal comfort from your air conditioner yet see a tremendous rise in utility bills. If you have a problem with an inefficient air conditioner, you may need AC repair in Macclenny, FL—or possibly a new air conditioner!

What are the most common causes of an inefficient air conditioner?

  • Clogged air filter: Dirty filters reduce airflow, forcing the system to work harder and consume more energy.
  • Poor installation: Incorrect ductwork, system sizing, or drainage can quietly reduce efficiency over time.
  • Lack of maintenance: Skipping annual tune‑ups allows efficiency to decline year after year.
  • Leaky or damaged ducts: Holes or sagging ducts can waste up to 30% of cooled air before it reaches your home.
  • Refrigerant loss and dirty coils: Leaks and debris buildup on coils strain the compressor and reduce performance.
  • Aging equipment: AC units over 15 years old lose efficiency and may need replacement.

We’ll look at six ways an AC can become inefficient. 

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Closing Room Vents Isn’t Helpful: Here’s How It’s Hurtful!

Monday, September 6th, 2021
vent-cover-in-ceiling

“How can I pay less to cool and heat my house?” You’ve probably asked yourself this before, and you can find many options to lower how much you need to depend on running your heating and air conditioning system over the year.

One method you might try is to close vent covers in unoccupied rooms. This seems to make sense: blocking the flow of conditioned air to empty rooms means less energy used. 

Except … this is completely false! Closing room vents (or blocking them) won’t save money on heating and cooling. It does the opposite: it costs money in energy efficiency, repairs, and failed equipment! We’ll take a look at why closing rooms vents is a destructive move for your HVAC system.

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