Air Conditioning Best Practices for Optimal Efficiency
By Thomas Terry, SameDay Heating & Air
Air conditioning systems are essential to keeping your home cool and comfortable during the warmer months. But like any machine, it needs regular maintenance to maximize performance.
Ignoring basic maintenance can lead to higher energy bills, costly repairs, and replacements. In this article, we’ve detailed the air conditioner maintenance best practices we share with our customers.
Proper airflow leads to air conditioning efficiencies
Just like with your furnace, proper airflow is crucial for your air conditioning system. Without sufficient airflow, your AC has to work much harder to cool your home. When an AC works harder, energy costs increase and unnecessary strain is put on the system.
The first step to maintaining good airflow is regularly changing the filters. Your air conditioner’s filter traps dust, dirt, and other debris that would otherwise clog the system.
Over time, the filter gets dirty and restricts airflow, reducing your AC’s efficiency. Make it a habit to check your filters every month during the cooling season and replace them as needed.
Clean the outdoor AC unit regularly
Your AC system also has an outdoor unit that houses the compressor and other vital components. This unit needs to stay clean and free of debris to function efficiently.
If dirt, leaves, or other materials block the condenser coils, your system will struggle to cool your home. Whenever your system is working hard to cool your home, energy bills increase along with wear and tear on the condenser.
An AC best practice is to rinse the coils with a garden hose regularly. This is especially important if you live near cottonwood trees or other sources of debris that can get trapped in the coils.
By keeping the coils clean, you’ll ensure that your system is able to release heat efficiently, which helps it run more smoothly and last longer.
Keep pets away from the AC unit
Another often overlooked maintenance tip is to keep pets away from the outdoor AC unit. Pet urine, particularly from dogs, can corrode the metal fins on the unit, reducing its ability to cool your home effectively.
Over time, this can lead to more significant issues and even require expensive repairs or replacements. Make sure to keep a safe distance between your pets and the AC unit. If you notice any signs of damage, call a professional to assess the situation before it worsens.
Stay on top of AC maintenance to save money
AC maintenance saves money in the long run. Air conditioners are a significant investment, and regular maintenance is the best way to protect that investment.
By keeping your system clean, maintaining good airflow, and preventing damage to the outdoor unit, you can improve efficiency, reduce energy bills, and avoid costly repairs. It’s also critical to be working with a respected HVAC leader.
Annual air conditioning tune-ups and inspections can help identify smaller issues before they become larger ones. If you’re interested in learning more and doing everything you can to extend the life of your AC, give SameDay a call.
