Comfort, airflow, AC and heating basics for a healthier home.
A practical target for most homes is 30% to 50% relative humidity. A brief reading outside that range is less important than persistent humidity above 60%, repeated condensation, or other signs that moisture is accumulating.
If your air conditioner has ice on it, turn cooling off and let it thaw completely. Check the filter and blocked vents; if the coil freezes again, airflow, blower, coil, or refrigerant problems need further diagnosis.
An air conditioner may run for long stretches during extreme heat. If it runs almost continuously and the house cannot reach the set temperature, check thermostat settings, the filter, vents, and outdoor-unit airflow before calling for service.
If your electric bill jumped, compare kilowatt-hours first, not just the dollar total. Check the rate, number of billing days and whether the meter reading was actual or estimated. If kWh really increased, look for big changes before tiny standby loads: heating or cooling, water heating, clothes drying, portable heaters, dehumidifiers, pool equipment, EV charging or an appliance that is running longer than normal.
If your air conditioner will not turn on, first make sure the thermostat is set to Cool and calling for a temperature below the room temperature, the system has power, the breaker is not tripped and accessible service switches are on. If the breaker trips again, you smell burning, hear strong buzzing or the system still will not start after basic checks, stop troubleshooting and call an HVAC professional.
If your air conditioner is leaking near the indoor unit, shut it down if water threatens ceilings, walls, flooring or electrical components. Common causes include a clogged condensate drain, a full or damaged drain pan, a failed condensate pump or ice on the evaporator coil that later melts. Do not bypass safety switches or keep running the system if water returns.
If your AC is not cooling, confirm the thermostat is set to Cool, inspect or replace the filter, open supply and return vents, and clear debris around the outdoor unit. If you see ice, turn cooling off and let the system thaw. Persistent problems, repeated icing or a breaker that keeps tripping call for a technician.
