Make Sure Your Air Conditioner is Running Great!

It’s hot outside time to talk about how to make sure you cooling system is running at its peak performance during this hot summer.

An air conditioner is extremely tough. They are engineered to take a lot of abuse and still continue to run and run. Only problem with this is that this causes complacency and can lead to problems down the road due to neglecting to service the system much like a car would be serviced.

Air conditioner can lose 5% of its original efficiency for each year of operation. This means that the 12 SEER unit that you purchased several years ago can function like a 9 SEER unit. Regular maintenance should prevent this and keep your units running for in top shape during their lifetime. Studies show that with regular tune-ups a unit will maintain up to 95% of its original efficiency. This means that the cost of an annual tune-up is recovered very quickly in savings on your monthly electric bill and reduced repair costs. A properly serviced air conditioner will also do a better job of dehumidifying your home.

Most air conditioning firms offer annual service programs that insure that you perform necessary maintenance at the beginning of the cooling and heating seasons.

These check should include cleaning the condensing unit coils, checking the amp draw of the compressor, oiling the fan motors, checking that belts are well adjusted, and checking the system operating pressures and temperatures against the manufacturer’s specifications. One of the most important items to check is the coolant level (commonly known as Freon) in the air conditioner. A system that is only 10% low on coolant will cost about 20% more to operate! The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) recommends that coolant levels be checked every year.

There are some things in addition to yearly tune-ups that you can do to help ensure a high level of comfort and proper system operation. First, buy good filters and change them regularly. Next, keep bushes and other materials away from the outside unit of your air conditioner. Outdoor units need to breath. They should have at least 18 inches separating them from your home and other units. Finally let your unit run. This is especially important for all of our transient owners who come in and out of town. Do not turn your unit off when you leave. Place it on a high setting so it can run. Remember it is a machine, and machines need to operate.

Hope this helps,

Ron - Envision Builders Group