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Keep AC Costs
and Energy Use Down
with Easy
Maintenance
It's time to think
about getting the
most from your air
conditioner (AC)
this summer. A
combination of
professional and
homeowner
maintenance for the
AC unit will keep
costs and energy use
down.
Air
Conditioner Filters
The most important
maintenance task
that will ensure the
efficiency of your
air conditioner is
to routinely replace
or clean its
filters. Clogged,
dirty filters block
normal airflow and
reduce a system's
efficiency
significantly. With
normal airflow
obstructed, air that
bypasses the filter
may carry dirt
directly into the
evaporator coil and
impair the coil's
heat-absorbing
capacity. Filters
are located
somewhere along the
return duct's
length. Common
filter locations are
in walls, ceilings,
furnaces, or in the
air conditioner
itself.
Some types of
filters are
reusable; others
must be replaced.
They are available
in a variety of
types and
efficiencies. Clean
or replace your air
conditioning
system's filter or
filters every month
or two during the
cooling season.
Filters may need
more frequent
attention if the air
conditioner is in
constant use, is
subjected to dusty
conditions, or you
have fur-bearing
pets in the house.
If you use a
disposable type
filter, it's always
wise to keep several
spares inside the
house.
Professional
Maintenance
All air conditioners
and heat pumps
require regular
maintenance to
perform at peak
efficiency. Each
central air
conditioning unit
should be inspected,
cleaned and tuned by
a professional once
every two years. A
professional tune-up
should cost around
$125.
The Technician
Should
Measure the
refrigerant to see
if it needs
recharging. An
undercharged unit
lowers the
efficiency of the
system.
Measure the airflow
over the air
conditioner's
cooling coils.
Inadequate airflow
is a common problem
and correcting
airflow rates can
increase efficiency
5 to 10 percent.
Clean and inspect
the motor,
compressor, air
handler, ducts,
coils and air
filter.
What a
Homeowner Can Do
Clean or replace the
AC filters monthly.
Dirty air filters
cause the AC unit to
work harder than
necessary. The
energy bill can act
as a monthly
reminder to do
this—change the air
filter before
sending out the
bill.
Keep the grass
around the AC
trimmed, being
careful not to blow
debris or grass
clippings into the
AC. Make sure
landscaping does not
block the outdoor
air conditioner
components. Four to
five feet of open
air between any
shrubs or trees and
the AC unit will
ensure proper
airflow. Blocked AC
units have a harder
time taking in air
to cool the home,
which means higher
energy costs.
Shade the outdoor AC
unit. Air in a
shaded space is
typically five to
six degrees cooler
than the surrounding
air, which means the
AC will have an
easier time cooling
the air before
pumping it into the
home. Air
conditioners with
proper shading can
be up to 10 percent
more efficient over
a cooling season,
according to the
U.S. Department of
Energy.
Insulate ducts.
Sealing ducts will
save energy and
money year round.
First, seal the duct
joints and leaks
with mastic tape or
sealer. Plain duct
tape is not
recommended because
it will dry out and
peel off over time.
Wrap the ducts with
low-cost, foil-faced
R08 rated fiberglass
insulation
(recommended for
cold climates like
Iowa), and seal the
insulation seams
with regular duct
tape. According to
the U.S. Department
of Energy,
insulating ducts in
the typical American
home costs about
$250, but the
improvement will pay
for itself in energy
savings in two and a
half years. Even the
added cost of hiring
a professional to
install the
insulation will be
repaid with the
energy savings.
Clean off dirt
buildup on the
indoor and outdoor
coils of the central
AC system. These
heat exchangers
between the
refrigerant and the
surrounding air can
quickly build up
impurities will
hinder the coil's
performance by as
much as 8 percent.
Both indoor and
outdoor coils can be
cleaned with warm,
soapy water, but
need to be treated
gently. Before
performing any
maintenance, be sure
to consult the
manufacturer's
recommendations to
answer any questions
about an AC unit's
care.
Re-circulate air. It
is far more
economical to
re-circulate and
cool the indoor air
than to draw in hot
air from outside,
cool it down and
remove the moisture
in it.
Raise temperature
settings. Each
degree of
temperature can
represent up to 9%
savings or added
expense in cooling
costs.
Keep the unit fan on
“AUTO.” IT is not
necessary to run the
fan constantly when
the air conditioner
is turned on.
Use ceiling fans.
Moving air with
ceiling fans can
increase the comfort
range.
Performing
Outside Maintenance
After disconnecting
the power, if leaves
or other debris have
collected inside the
condensing unit,
open the unit by
undoing the screws
on the top panel and
tipping it up.
Remove any debris
from the enclosure.
Then, reverse the
procedure insuring
the screws are
replaced before
restoring power. Do
not open the
electrical panel
cover. This is best
left to a certified
technician.
Check to be sure
your compressor unit
is level. An
unleveled unit will
be nosier, less
efficient, and cause
excessive wear.
Check the level in
both directions,
making adjustments
if necessary. Be
careful how much you
move the unit. It
has rigid
connections to the
electrical and
refrigerant lines.
Too much (and it
doesn't take much)
movement could cause
a refrigerant leak
to occur.
Finally, check the
condensate line for
a bacterial slime
that tends to grow
in condensed water.
The condensate line
is the drain that
removes water that
has condensed from
your indoor coil.
Pour a 1:9
bleach-and-water
solution through the
line. Find the
fitting for the
hose, pull it out,
and flush the line
all the way to the
floor drain. If the
drain is difficult
to reach, you may be
wiser to call your
HVAC contractor to
do the job.
Always be careful
when using lawn
mowers and trimmers
around your
condensing unit.
Flying debris can
damage the coil and
fins.
Also check
out our
Manufacture's
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