So far in our saving money series, we have talked about attic insulation and ventilation, ceiling fans, changing air filters regularly, keeping the drapes closed during day hours, raising the temperature on the thermostat and installing programmable thermostats can reduce the energy used in the home, increase the efficiency of your air conditioning unit and decrease the amount owed on monthly energy bills. This week, for our final installment, we will talk about how keeping your air conditioning unit maintained will also help your AC unit work as efficiently as possible, therefore lowering your energy bills.
Do you keep your air conditioning unit “tuned up”?
Your air conditioning unit is just like any other piece of equipment. Often compared with your vehicle, your AC unit requires maintenance in order to stay at optimal functioning levels and to avoid costly breakdowns and repairs. Just like your vehicle, when your air conditioning unit is being properly maintained, it will run more efficiently and will last a lot of longer. The best time to have your air conditioning unit tuned up is during the spring, before the heat hits and your air conditioning unit needs to be used. EnergyStar.gov tells us that a check-up should include the following:
- Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.
- Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
- Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use.
- Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
- Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
- Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent.1
Our maintenance plan includes all of these checkpoints and more. If you are interested in signing up for a maintenance plan to increase the efficiency of your air conditioning unit and to decrease the risk for potential breakdowns and repairs – give us a call today at 770-942-2873 or contact us on the web: www.anchorac.com. We would love to tell you more about our maintenance plans and how they can benefit you and your air conditioning unit.
Online References:
1https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_maintenance