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How to Tell if Your AC is Working Properly

If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “How do I know if my air conditioner is working the way it should?” you’re not the only one. The good news is there is a simple test you can do yourself to measure whether or not your AC is cooling like it’s supposed to. All you need is a probe-style thermometer and a little information. We’ll explain each step in this article and show you the steps in this video we made.

During the longest, hottest days of the year your air conditioner is under the most stress and it’s helpful to check in with your AC unit to make sure it’s working properly. If you know what to look for, your system will warn you before it breaks down. The issue is most homeowners don’t know those things to look for. Measuring the temperature split of your unit is a technique trained professionals will use as an indication of potential issues your air conditioner may be experiencing.
The temperature difference between the return air temp and supply air temp is known as the temperature split or Delta T. How you determine the difference is as easy as using a thermometer to check the temperature of the air. If the temps are too high or too low on either end, there is likely an issue.
STEP 1 - MAKE SURE YOUR AC IS RUNNING
In order to get an accurate read, your air conditioner needs to have been running for at least 15 minutes. Go to your thermostat and bump the temperature down about 10 degrees lower than the current temperature reading on the display.
STEP 2 - IDENTIFY THE RETURN & SUPPLY DUCT
Next, you’ll need to go to the furnace to look for the return and supply air. If you have a filter at your furnace, finding these can be easy. The return air will be before the filter and the supply air will be after the filter, where your system turns to silver sheet metal.

Once you identify each, you’ll need an access hole that’s large enough to insert the thermometer. If your system has already been serviced before, you may find that these holes already exist. If not, you may have to drill or punch out a small hole.
STEP 3 - MEASURE & RECORD AIR TEMPERATURES
Next, insert the thermometer into the return. Wait for the thermometer to get a reading and then write down that temperature. Repeat this step on the supply side.
STEP 4 - DO SOME SIMPLE MATH
Finally, you’ll subtract the supply temp from the return temp. This number is your Delta T, or your temperature split. What you’re looking for is a temperature range between 18 and 22 degrees.

What Does It Mean?

If your temperature is either higher or lower than this range, it means that your system is not able to remove the heat from the home the way the manufacturer designed it to. You could be experiencing any number of issues with your system from dirty coils to low refrigerant.

If your temperature split is in that 18 to 22 degree range but you’re still experiencing comfort issues around the house, you may have a more fundamental air flow issue.

If you ever have an issue with how well your air conditioner cools your home, you may want an HVAC technician to come and diagnose your problem. There are more tools, more diagnosis tests to run and many more parts that should be checked to get an accurate sense for what’s happening.

There are some simple things you can do today to make sure your air conditioner does the best it can to keep your home comfortable. Check out these 8 Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips You Can Do Yourself.

Please share this with a friend if you found this helpful. We hope you stay cool this summer! And we’re always here if you need help.

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Logo for Any Hour Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air featuring a smiling technician with crossed arms, a stopwatch, and a bold, professional tone.

Any Hour Services

1374 West 130 South, Orem, UT 84058

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© 2024 Any Hour Services LLC

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Before we price your drains or excavation project, our expert technician will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

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We also provide FREE estimates and second opinions for major plumbing and excavation projects like repiping, sewer or water line replacements, remodels, and outdoor drain installs. Our team will evaluate the job in person, explain your options, and give you clear, upfront pricing. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just honest answers and expert service.

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We offer a $29 Drain Clear for single, easy-access drains. A licensed plumber will inspect the issue, clear out buildup like grease or debris, and get things flowing again. It’s a simple, affordable way to fix slow drains and help protect your plumbing from bigger problems down the line.

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You can pay for your service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies (On Approved Credit). Your technician can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want done.

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Our phone staff are not expert technicians, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained technician needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

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Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a trained technician can assess the job properly.

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A: We have a small dispatch fee to send our technician to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your technician will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

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Pricing FAQ

A:

Our pricing is fair and transparent. We use a fixed-price guide that reflects the time, materials, and real costs of running a dependable home services business. No hourly rates. No inflated prices based on where you live. We focus on what it takes to get the job done—not on how much we can charge.

Before we price your plumbing job, our licensed plumber will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

Call Now

A:

We price the job—not the clock. Hourly rates can be unpredictable, leaving you unsure of the final cost until the job is done. We believe in upfront, fixed pricing based on the work itself—not guesswork. You won’t pay for delays or mistakes, and we hold ourselves accountable to ensure there are no surprises.

Call Now

A:

We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

Call Now

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Water heater replacements vary. Often, older units require updates to meet safety standards. Common items missing from many water heaters are flexible gas lines, expansion tanks, earthquake straps, gas sediment trap, upgrade exhaust venting, etc.

For an accurate quote, one of our licensed plumbers will inspect your existing system and provide a FREE estimate.

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Our phone staff are not licensed plumbers, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained plumber needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

Call Now

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Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a licensed plumber can assess the job properly.

Call Now

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We have a small dispatch fee to send our plumber to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your plumber will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

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Yes! We offer FREE in-home estimates for major projects like water heater installations, water softeners, and repiping—without any dispatch fee. Our licensed plumber will assess the job, explain your options, and provide a clear, fixed price. No surprises or hourly rates—just honest, reliable service. Schedule your FREE estimate today!

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No, our plumbers don’t quote a price until they have seen your plumbing project. Once they quote a price, it doesn’t change, no matter how long it takes. At any time, if you want to add more tasks to your plumbing project, your plumber will let you know how much it would cost to perform the extra work.

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You can pay for your plumbing service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we do have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies, OAC. Your plumber can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want completed.

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