2 Simple Maintenance Tasks to Improve Your Central Air Conditioner's Energy Efficiency
Posted on: 11 September 2020
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Lately, you may have noticed that your energy bills are a little higher, which may lead you to believe that your central AC unit is not running as efficiently as you believe it should. If this is the case, it is possible that the air is unable to flow freely through the unit, which can put a strain on the system. Fortunately, there are a couple of simple maintenance tasks that you can perform to remedy the situation and improve the air conditioner's energy efficiency.
1. Change the Air Filter at Least Every Month
One simple task that you can perform that will help increase the airflow through your air conditioning unit and help improve its energy efficiency is to make sure that you change the air filter at least every month. If the pollen is especially high or your home or the surrounding area is very dusty, you may want to do this task more often.
The air filter's job is to catch any dirt, dust, pollen, and other allergens in the air to keep it from entering the AC system and blowing all over your home. While a fresh filter will do this job very well, it will eventually become clogged up.
When the air flowing through the filter is reduced because of the excess dirt, the unit will have to work harder to pull and push the air through.
2. Keep the Exterior of the Air Conditioning Unit Clear and Clean
Another thing you can do to ensure proper airflow and help reduce the AC unit's energy output is to keep the exterior of the unit clear and clean. Since the unit will pull air in from the outdoors, it must be allowed to flow freely.
If not, the unit will have to expend greater amounts of energy to ensure enough air is flowing through the system. By keeping foliage, bushes, and trees away from the unit and brushing the vents with a soft paintbrush, you can help keep the exterior clear of any obstacles to the flow of air.
When you ensure that the air is free to fully flow through your central air conditioning system, the unit will not have to work as hard. This will help save you money on your cooling costs. Contact an HVAC contractor for more information on maintaining your AC unit as well as discuss your options for setting up a professional maintenance visit once or twice a year.