Ways to Increase the Efficiency of Your Air Conditioner
Efficient air conditioning systems not only save energy costs, but also enhance the comfort of your home or business. Therefore, it is important to increase the efficiency of your air conditioner. This article discusses ways to increase the efficiency of your air conditioner.
Keep the filters and coils clean
Filters of your air conditioner are an important part of the equipment. Make sure that you regularly clean or replace them. As per standards of Epa.gov, cleaning is to be done every month or once in two months. If your air conditioner has electronic filters, you need to clean them thoroughly twice a year.
Cleaning or replacing the old filters with new ones can lead to saving energy consumption by 5-15%, and thus improving the efficiency. According to Epa.gov, dirt and poor maintenance are the main causes of low efficiency and breakdown of air conditioning equipment.
Check leaks in ducts
Make sure to check leaks in ducts. The ducts convect air into the room. If the ducts are worn out and have holes or tears, hot air comes into air conditioner and thus affects its efficiency. If the ducts leak near vents (if any), cool air can go out, leading to little cooling effect. This makes the equipment consume more energy.
If you get musty or mold smell when running the air conditioner, it is a definite sign of time when you need to repair the ducts. Take the help of a professional to get the ducts insulated properly.
Keep AC units (outdoor) clean free from debris
Keep the air conditioner and area around clean. Remove debris from around the location – dry leafs, branches, etc., if located near a plant, etc. Such a situation obstructs the optimal heat exchange that is essential for cooling. Therefore, you need to clean up the area around. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the area once a month.
Use ceiling fans for better indoor air-circulation
Air conditioning will be more efficient by making cool air spread throughout the home or any given space. For this, use fans. You could use ceiling or oscillating ones.
Consider pre-season check-up by a service technician
Summer is the season when you need the air conditioner most. It is sensible to check air conditioner before the start of the season. Take the help of an experienced service technician. Pre-season check-up is sensible because it avoids the discomfort when your equipment breaks down and you suffer the difficulty of summer heat.
Replace old units with new energy efficient models
If your air conditioner is older than 10 years, purchase a new one. As per ENERGY STAR, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency voluntary program, you can cut cooling costs by 30% by replacing 12 year old central air conditioning system with a new ENERGY STAR qualified one. An old air conditioner often makes you spend on cleaning or replacing the filters (and ducts).
While going for purchasing a new air conditioner, go for a brand that has got Energy Star (USA) label. This helps you get one that is of optimal efficiency.
The air conditioner is your aid that helps you stay home comfortable in summer. Taking care of the issues just discussed, you can make sure that your air conditioner is efficient. An efficient air conditioner ultimately helps you save substantially by economizing energy consumption.