Maximizing Your Air Conditioning System Efficiency

Introduction

In summer air conditioning systems have to work hard. This costs you both in bills for your system and also in being uncomfortable in your own home. This article will help you get the most out of your system and reduce your utility bill!

Air Conditioning System Basics

Air conditioning systems are composed of two parts. They have an inside air handler and condensor. This is the unit that blows the air throughout your house. Condensation from this unit is carried by a tube to the outside of your house. Air passes over this condensor unit and is cooled. The cooled air then passes into the duct work and is distributed throughout the house. A filter inside the condensor collects the dust and dirt from the air so it does not clog up the condensor unit. If this filter becomes clogged, your AC system will not cool efficiently and will then cease to function.

The second part of the air conditioning system is the outdoor compressor. This unit has another coil that passes air over it. This air is cooling freon that has been compressed and allowed to expand in the outdoor compressor unit. Heat must be transferred from this unit to the air for efficient utilization. Sometimes this unit becomes clogged with dirt or plant matter from the constant circulation of air over the compressor coils. If these coils become clogged, maximum airflow cannot be maintained. This will cause the unit to malfunction or operate at very low efficiency. Following are tips to make your AC unit operate at maximum efficiency.

Air Conditioning Filter

First you should change your air conditioning filter each month. The fiber filters are best. They gather dust and keep it off your indoor coil. If you change them each month you will keep your system operating at peak efficiency.

Outdoor Coil Maintenance

The second thing you should do is wash the coil in your outdoor condenser each month. You can use your garden hose with a nozzle. Take the hose and flush out the coil. This will remove dirt and dust that stop free airflow over the out door coil. This will increase the cooling capacity of your air conditioning unit.

Low Freon Indication

Third thing to do. Feel the air coming out of the outdoor unit. Is is warm? If not you may be low on Freon. If you feel no heat there, call a licensed repair technician in your area.