C. Andrew John
Here are five important tips associated with ensuring the most from your air conditioning system this summer.
Tip 1—Keep Your Filter Clean
According to a source on Energy.Gov, a dirty filter could increase energy use by 5 to 15 percent. This doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you consider our air conditioning systems run more than 6,800 hours each year, the increased energy cost adds up quickly. Dirty filters restrict airflow, which makes it harder for your system to work, decreases comfort, causes stress on your system and drives up energy costs. Unfortunately, many homeowners forget about keeping the filter clean. Start by checking it monthly, and adjust the timing to fit your needs.
Tip 2—Clean Coils
Dirty coils make your system work harder and drive up your electric bill. You should clear away dirt and debris (fallen leaves, grass clippings, etc.), which has collected around the condenser unit. Trim foliage back at least 2 feet to allow enough airflow around the unit. If you use your hose to do the cleaning, do not spray it directly at the condenser coils, as this may drive debris deeper inside. Instead, angle the nozzle, so it sprays perpendicular to the side of the coil.
Tip 3—Keep Condensate Drain Line Clean
Along with cooling your home, your air conditioner lowers humidity. Your system has a drain line to discard moisture removed from the air, and just like any drain in your home, it can become clogged. This creates a place for mold and bacteria to grow and could overflow and cause damage to your system and surrounding areas. The solution is to keep your condensate drain clear. This service is best left to a professionally trained technician and should be part of any maintenance or tune-up service.
Tip 4—Don’t Block Vents or Registers
Your system needs proper airflow to prevent pressure problems and to operate efficiently. Avoid blocking vents and registers with furniture. Adjust registers in rooms needing more or less cooling, but don’t close more than one or two of them. Although this is a popular belief, closing registers will cause your system to work less efficiently and may lead to damage to your system and higher energy costs.
Tip 5—Schedule Annual Maintenance
The secret to keeping your system working longer is to keep it properly maintained. Think about how important oil changes and tune-up maintenance are for your car. It’s the same concept for your system. Improper maintenance is the No. 1 cause of system breakdown and early system failure. Proper maintenance will increase your system’s efficiency, your comfort, as well as decrease your energy usage, and, when done consistently, add years to the life of your system. In fact, it is so important, most manufacturers of air conditioning systems require annual maintenance to keep warranties in force.
Call today if you have not scheduled your maintenance yet.
John’s Refrigeration Heating and Cooling, located at 211 E. 10th Drive, Suite 2, has been in business since 1970, and we will be here to continue taking care of your comfort needs for years to come. Please visit us at JustCallJohns.com, or give us a call at (480) 649-1000. We can help with any comfort concerns you may have.