Conditioning Your Air Conditioner

Conditioning Your Air Conditioner

• A central air conditioning system can provide years of satisfactory cooling with relatively little maintenance. However, a seasonal start-up check and periodic maintenance is recommended.

• Make sure attic insulation matches or exceeds the locally recommended minimums (at least six inches at a minimum) including the cover over the attic access opening.  Air infiltration or leakage can also play a significant role in energy efficiency, so make sure any gaps in the house envelope are sealed.
  

• Change replaceable air filters and clean re-usable filters before starting up the system and then check and replace as needed every month. Like dirty coils, dirty filters restrict air flow, increasing operating costs and reducing the life and efficiency of the system.
  
• Maintain clearance around your outdoor air conditioning unit. Any leaves, grass clippings, or stored items should be cleared off or away from the heat transfer coils to help ensure adequate air flow and optimum operating efficiency.  Be very careful cleaning the coils, as they can be easily bent or damaged, which will restrict air flow.
  

• Avoid using heat producing appliances such as the oven, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer during the day, since heat from those appliances can increase indoor temperatures and the demand on the air conditioning system.
  

• Consider closing of supply vents in unused rooms and/or the basement.  Located fully or partially below grade, basements are naturally cooler and also benefits from the natural movement of cooler air to the lower levels. (Remember to reopen the registers in the winter for heating needs).  
  

• Maintain a moderate temperature during the day or other periods when no one is at home -- only setting the thermostat to a lower temperature when the house is occupied.  Less heat enters the house when the indoor temperature is closer to outdoor temperature, so it is not energy efficient to maintain the same cooler temperature all day long.  On the other hand, constantly readjusting the thermostat when the house is occupied is not effective either.
  

• Have your cooling system professionally checked and serviced periodically to keep it functioning properly and efficiently.
  

• Check the condensate drain from the indoor unit for any sign of blockage or leakage. Water should be dripping from the end of this drain line when the unit is running, especially on a humid day. If no dripping is noted after the unit has been running for a while, check at the indoor unit for any signs of blockage or leakage.
   
  
• If buying a new unit, make sure the central air conditioning system or window unit is sized properly for the space it is intended to cool, since improperly sized units use more energy than necessary. And when the unit is installed, make sure the outdoor unit is installed level on a firm base away from anything that might obstruct the air flow.