Summer is around the corner and soon it will be time to bring out the air conditioner. Here are some tips on maintaining your air conditioner for top efficiency this summer.
Filters
To ensure your air conditioner runs efficiently all season long, it is important to frequently clean or replace the filter. Dirty or clogged filters block air flow and make the ac unit work harder. As a result, it has to use more energy to cool the room or space. Clogged or dirty filters can cause your air conditioner’s energy consumption to rise up to 15%[1].
Depending on the type of filter you have, you either clean or replace it. Some are reusable so you can just clean them and replace them when they show significant wear. You can also purchase disposable ones and just swap them out whenever they get dirty. The more often the AC is running the more often you have to change or clean the filter.
Evaporator Coils
A clean filter can keep your evaporator coil clean as well. However, after continuous use, the coils eventually get dirty. A dirty coil restricts air flow. The dirt on the coil can also insulate it and keep it from absorbing heat. Cleaning once a year should be sufficient to keep your AC running efficiently. However, check on the coil whenever you change the filters to make sure it doesn’t need to be cleaned.
Refrigerant
It is important to have the right amount of refrigerant in your AC unit. We would recommend hiring a professional to do this for you. You can do it once a year, before the start of the cooling season. Make sure you don’t have any leaks and there’s the right amount of refrigerant in the system.
While the professional is there, they can also check the air flow, check electric terminals and make sure all parts of your AC is working as it should.
These things will help your air conditioner run efficiently. As a general rule of thumb, keep areas around the AC unit clean. With these tips, your air conditioner should be running in top shape for the summer ahead.
[1] https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/maintaining-your-air-conditioner
