Efficient Heating & Cooling

Does your air conditioner have a clean bill of health?  A $50-$100 service tune-up can reduce your cooling costs by 5%.  A service technician should check for proper Freon levels, check all electrical components, clean the evaporator and condenser coils, calibrate the thermostat and check the condenser and filters.  The best time for a tune-up is in the spring, but it’s better late than never. 

Changing the air filters in your home air conditioning unit is the least expensive thing you can do to maintain your cooling system, but many people install them incorrectly.  Most filters have arrows that indicate the correct airflow direction.  The filter should be installed so that the air flows in the same direction as the arrow.  If your filter doesn’t have an arrow, the strongest part of the filter (often reinforced with a metal grid) should be placed next to the air conditioning system.

Replace air filters on a regular basis.  Even the highest-quality filter can’t do its job right if it’s clogged with a thick layer of dust and particles.  Most filters need to be replaced every 30 days.  So, get on a routine and change your filter every month to coincide with another regular household activity, like paying your electric bill.  If you live in a brand new house or where there is construction or remodeling going on, you may need to change your air filters more often to compensate for the extra dust and residue in the air.

Other important tips: 

• Make sure the condensate line on your outside air conditioning unit is draining freely. 
• Don’t plant grass or landscaping within a one foot radius of the unit.  Grass clippings can damage your system and plants can restrict airflow. 
• Keep furniture and drapes away from floor registers inside your home.