If your A/C is working properly, you don’t give it much attention.
But if your electric bills increase, without a change to the thermostat, you will consider your A/C as an issue.
During operation, your A/C pulls in ambient air to cool and releases warm air. If it cannot pull in enough cool air or flush out the hot air, it can overheat. An A/C that runs hot continuously will not last long. How much room does your A/C require? A minimum of a single foot is required on all sides, including behind the unit. Keep your unit free of shrubbery and leaves while doing yard work. The yard scraps can obstruct your A/C as well as cause it to overheat. Turn the unit off and check the temperature a few inches from the coil, which is the metallic grate surrounding your unit. Measure the temperature 10 feet away and if it is the same, your system is ok. However, you may have a problem if the coil is warmer than the surrounding area. If you live in a milder temperature, you may have a heat pump. The unit provides both heating and air conditioning. It needs open space at all times, especially when it snows. Do not let snow accumulate on the top or near the sides of the unit. And turn off your heat pump if it fills with wintry precipitation. Warm water can be used to melt the snow and ice. But be sure to let the water drain for a few hours before turning the unit back on.