Maintaining your air conditioner is essential for optimal performance and energy efficiency. Cleaning or replacing the air conditioning system filter or filters every month or two during the cooling season is a must. Filters may need more frequent care if the air conditioner is constantly being used, is exposed to dusty conditions, or if you have furry pets in the house. Look for the minimum filter performance value (MERV), which ranges from 1 to 12 for domestic air conditioning units; the higher the number, the better filtration it will provide (and the more energy it will take to pass air through it, so you must balance concerns about air quality with energy costs).Ducts can lose up to 30 percent of airflow due to leaks, and window air conditioning units are notoriously difficult to seal properly.
Find leaks using the old “smoke” trick. The compressor and air condenser in a central air conditioning system are usually located outside the house, near the foundation. It works best when there is approximately 24 inches of free space in all directions, so get rid of nearby shrubs, tall grass, leaves and hanging branches. Federal laws require air conditioning units to be much more efficient than they were just 10 years ago. In the case of central air conditioning, look for the seasonal energy efficiency index (SEER); in the case of window units, the measure is simply called the energy efficiency index (EER).
Standards require a SEER of 13 and an EER of 8, but devices with higher numbers will cost less to operate. Perhaps the most essential and easiest air conditioner maintenance task is to replace or clean air filters regularly. Dirty and clogged filters severely limit air conditioning efficiency by decreasing system airflow. In addition, when a filter is clogged, air can bypass the filter, allowing unfiltered air to flow throughout the HVAC system, potentially damaging the evaporator coil in the process. Maintenance and tuning can only be done by people who have the right skills and tools and have sufficient experience working in the refrigeration industry. Air conditioners and air conditioning systems must be checked regularly by experts to make them work efficiently for a long time. Keeping the air filters clean, in turn, will keep the evaporator coil cleaner for a longer period of time.
Some HVAC experts charge a fixed fee for standard air conditioner maintenance, while others charge by the hour. While it's always a good idea to check and clean your air regularly throughout the year to make sure your system is running smoothly, an annual appointment for air conditioning service is always essential. In addition to performing these maintenance tasks, consider having your system inspected by an air conditioning technician once a year. The condenser is one of the most important parts of the air conditioning system and must be monitored to detect faults or setbacks. You can find the evaporator coils inside, inside the basement, closet, garage or attic air treatment system. Cleaning the air conditioner in spring, before you start using it, will help it work better during summer days.
Keep in mind that regular, high-quality care and maintenance almost always extend the life of the system.
