A first-time homeowner asked a question that will likely sound familiar to anyone who has watched their thermostat tick up on a sweltering afternoon: If the AC is set to 69 degrees Fahrenheit, should the house really climb to 75 degrees by evening?
Here's what to know
In a Reddit post, a first-time homeowner said the 2.5-ton central AC in their two-story, 1,800-square-foot house kept the home at 69 degrees in the morning, but temperatures rose into the 71- to 75-degree range by about 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.
"Is this temperature drift normal, and what can I do to keep the house at a steady 69°F throughout the day?" they asked.
"Your HVAC system is too small to keep your house at 69F when the temperature outside is +100F," one commenter wrote.
"Had a similar scenario with our house and upsized .5 ton with a new unit (.5 ton compressor upsize and 1 ton evaporator coil upsize) and it now stays balanced," another added.
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What can be done?
Beyond potential sizing issues, other commenters pointed to maintenance as a possible problem.
"When was the last time you changed the filter?" one asked. "With it running indoors go and look at the outside unit, is it running?"
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"Is condenser coil clean?" another questioned. "If not, it can't get rid of the heat, and needs to be hosed off."
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Where can I learn more?
If your thermostat says 69 degrees but your house still drifts into the mid-70s, the issue may come down to maintenance and day-to-day operation as much as the system's size.
Thermostat settings, drain upkeep, condenser cleaning, fan use, and humidity control can all affect how well an AC keeps up on the hottest afternoons.
• One homeowner found that a thermostat setting hack cut cooling bills in half.
• After cleaning the outdoor condenser, one family said the difference was phenomenal.
• Lowering humidity, not the thermostat, could be the key to a cooler-feeling home.
Simple maintenance can help you figure out whether that evening temperature drift is just normal summer strain or something you can fix.
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