6 Ways to Improve Your AC’s Efficiency
Your air conditioner is pumping on full blast, and your electricity bill is skyrocketing. But it’s still not comfortable in your home. What’s going on with your air conditioner’s efficiency? Over time, most systems start working a little less well. Eventually, they may be operating terribly. But there are things you can do.
1. Check Your Compressor.
The compressor is outside your home. It’s what actually pumps air, whether it’s to your air conditioner or your furnace. Over time, it can get debris, dirt, or plants built up around it, which will constrict airflow. If you’ve experienced things like hail or severe weather events, the tines of the compressor can also become damaged. A professional can straighten them. While you can open up your unit and clean it, that’s also a service that professionals can provide. Usually, your compressor won’t need to be replaced until your furnace and air conditioner have to be replaced. Rarely, it may be necessary to replace your compressor if it’s become significantly damaged.
2. Clean Out Your Coils.
Your coils likely need to be cleaned about every year, depending on how often you use your air conditioner. Coils can be cleaned with a special foam that’s made specifically for air-conditioner cleaning. The foam is sprayed directly on and left there. It then dissolves and carries dirt and debris with it. The foam just goes down the drain. Cleaning out the coils is usually easy, but the challenge is actually accessing them. You might need to partially take apart your AC to do so; if you’re uncomfortable doing it, a professional can do it for you.
3. Change Your Filters.
Most HVAC systems need their filters changed every couple of months. If you use it a lot, maybe every month. You can tell if you open your filter compartment and the filter is covered completely in dust. If you have pets, live by the highway, or have a lot of people in your home, you’re more likely to need to change your filters out more often. When your filters are blocked with dust, your HVAC system has to work that much harder. Plus, your vents can also get covered with dust.
4. Improve Your Insulation.
Your insulation is what makes your HVAC system work harder. If you have poor insulation, the system has to be constantly pumping air into your house. If you have good insulation, it instead gets you to a certain set temperature and only has to turn on to maintain that temperature periodically. You can start by making sure that the areas around your door are properly sealed, that your windows are sealed (and all tightly closed), and that your attic insulation hasn’t degraded (you can blow in more insulation if it has degraded). Ideally, your HVAC system shouldn’t have to kick on constantly; your home should be able to maintain its temperature.
5. Check Your Vents.
What if your air conditioner isn’t working in specific areas? You might want to check your vents. If your AC doesn’t seem to be working in some rooms, it could be poorly balanced. Alternatively, the vents could actually be blocked. Over the long winter, pests can move in, and things can get torn or otherwise disrupted. You can check these areas out and make sure that the airflow is still going through. If you don’t feel any air (warm or otherwise), you might need to call a professional to check your physical ductwork.
6. Schedule a Maintenance Check.
A maintenance check is a great way to get everything done at once. During a maintenance check, a professional can change your filters, clean your coils, check your condenser, and even clean out your ducts if needed. These are things that you might not have the tools to do. A regular maintenance check will also catch any major issues with your AC system that need to be repaired; catching these issues early can save you a lot of money. Otherwise, you might find yourself having to replace your system earlier than expected. Plus, with regular maintenance, you can often get discounts on parts, repairs, and other routine services.
An HVAC system is just one of many things in your home that has to be regularly serviced and maintained. But you don’t have to deal with it on your own. Contact the experts at Metro Express Service to boost your efficiency and cut your electricity bills.
