Investment propertyDon"t Give A/C Maintenance the Cold Shoulder: Best To Do It Now Before Heat Hits
As the coming weeks and months promise heat, many of us will find refuge
indoors, seeking cool comfort from our air conditioners. But before we crank
down our thermostats, it"s important to make sure the unit is in good
working order to get the most from it.
According to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
heating and cooling the home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars
than any other system in the home. Typically, 44 percent of utility bills go
toward heating and cooling.
A simple pre-season inspection now can prevent future problems and costly
repairs at the height of summer when product demand is high and supply is
low.
To have a certified contractor check your cooling equipment for performance
and energy efficiency, check www.natex.org to find a contractor whose technicians are
certified by the North American Technician Excellence program, an
industry-supported testing and certification program.
In the meantime, there are a host of things you or a professional can do to
get your air-conditioning unit in top form before the most severe heat hits.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends these maintenance tips:
Take a look at your thermostat to make sure the cooling system turns on
and off at the set temperatures.
Tighten all the electrical connections. Then measure the voltage and
current on the motors. Faulty connections can lead to unsafe conditions and
reduce the life of major components.
Lubricate all the moving parts. If parts aren"t lubricated, friction
occurs, which ultimately increases the amount of electricity you use.
Check and inspect the condensate drain. If the drain is plugged, water
damage can occur and indoor humidity levels can rise, leading to the
breeding of bacteria.
Check the controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation and
that the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
Inspect, clean or change the air filter once a month. Depending on your
system, the filter may be found in the duct system rather than the cooling
unit itself. Dirty filters lead to higher energy bills and can damage your
equipment.
Clean the evaporator and condenser coils. Dirty coils reduce the system"s
ability to cool your house and cause the system to run longer, which
ultimately raises your energy bill and lessens the life of your
air-conditioning unit.
Check your central air conditioner"s refrigerant pressures and adjust the
charge if necessary.
Clean and adjust the blower components to provide proper system airflow
for greater comfort levels.
Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission recommends that you install window coverings and keep your
windows covered during the day, and that you consider replacing single-pane
windows with double-pane windows with high-performance glass. In warmer
climates, select windows with spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat
gain. In colder climates, select windows that are gas filled with low-e
coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss.
Also, prune back any brushes or shrubbery that may be creeping up over your
air-conditioning unit and be blocking airflow to the unit.
Another great way to help cool your house is to plant trees in strategically
placed locations to best shade your house. Trees also add property value.
Finally, get plenty of sunscreen and keep plenty of lemonade handy for the
long, hot summer ahead.