How to Keep Air Conditioning Efficiency

To keep air conditioning efficiency, start maintenance on day one. Keeping an eye—and as we’ll see, an ear—out will keep your AC operating well for a long time.

A programmable thermostat will make your AC more efficient, and can reduce your energy bill. Note: the thermostat has a battery that will last a long time, but if the thermostat isn’t working, check the battery.

The most important thing you can do is to regularly replace your AC’s filter. A dirty or clogged filter can make the unit work harder, and if the filter just gets dirtier and dirtier, the equipment suffers wear and tear and your energy bill may go up.

Good insulation can save you money on energy, and means the AC unit doesn’t have to work as hard. It means you are not cooling unused and unoccupied spaces like the attic.

Keep an eye on the equipment outside. If there is foliage nearby, trim it back two feet so that leaves don’t affect airflow. Now and then look at the condenser coils. They can become dirty from leaves, twigs, debris from lawn mowing, and if they are fouled their functioning is impaired. Coolant conduits can be affected by accidents.

Listen now and then, an efficiently functioning unit should have a humming sound when it is running. If there are clangs or other peculiar noises, there is a problem and it may be serious. If you hear your unit running constantly, check it out. It may be working too hard. It could indicate low coolant levels or problems in the ductwork. If you have a window AC unit, check to be sure that the space between the unit and the window frame is sealed. If it is not, you can be letting in hot air.

Finally, a regular professional inspection is a good idea. Some aspects of an AC system are too difficult to assess by yourself, such as anything dealing with the coolant or the condenser. Also if you need help installing your AC, Brian’s Heating and Cooling can help.