7 Must-Know Maintenance Tips For Your Air Conditioner

By J.R. King

As you know, the heat of the summer will soon be upon us once again. I have compiled some facts and maintenance tips that homeowners can do themselves, or they can hire a mechanical contractor to do for them to make their air conditioning systems run more efficiently. An improperly maintained air conditioning system will cost you every month during the summertime, since heating and cooling can account for as much as 45% of your monthly electric bill.

1. Filters: The first and foremost thing that can be done to improve efficiency and air quality, is to check or replace your filters each month. Homeowners are often misled by high efficiency or pleated filters and think they should be changed only once every three months. Due to the capability of catching more dirt and dust particles, these filters will clog up faster than a regular fiberglass or poly filter. Frozen evaporator coils, overheated fan motors, premature compressor failure, longer run cycles, poor air flow, and diminished cooling are all problems that often arise from having dirty filters.

2. Thermostats: High quality, digital programmable thermostats can also improve air conditioning efficiency when used correctly. If a home is left vacant during the daytime in the summer, it is best to leave the thermostat set only two – three degrees higher, so units have less run time. If a thermostat is set above two – three degrees higher than normal, the units must run double-time to get the temperature and humidity back to normal. This results in an increase of use time and money spent on electricity, resulting in decreased efficiency.

3. Refrigerant pressures: It is important to check the refrigerant pressures in air conditioning systems every season. Many HVAC companies offer this service, as it is recommended to have a trained technician perform this procedure, because many homeowners are not familiar with what to do. It is common to find minor leaks in a system, and when left unrepaired, these leaks will cause system failure. Too much or too little refrigerant in an air conditioning system is very harmful to the compressor. Too little refrigerant will cause the compressor to overheat, since refrigerant is what cools the compressor. Too much refrigerant will also cause it damage, as excess liquid is harmful to the internal rotating parts. A residential air conditioner is designed to pump vapor, not liquid. Both too much or too little refrigerant will cause cooling problems. Even a small amount of refrigerant lost out of a system will cause the system to run 20% less efficiently.

4. Lubricating motors: To keep the bearings in the motors from getting dry and seizing up, it is important to lubricate the motors, unless they have permanently sealed bearing assemblies. (Most newer air conditioning systems now have permanently sealed bearings in the evaporator and condenser motors.) Each air conditioning system is different and requires an individual maintenance schedule.

5. Inspecting and cleaning drain systems: At the beginning of the air conditioning season, drain systems should be cleaned and inspected. A plugged drain system on an air conditioner will cause water damage to the home and affect indoor humidity levels, and mold levels will increase as well. If the air conditioner evaporator coil is in an attic, it is wise to install a float switch on the secondary pan to shut off the unit in an event of a major water leak. This switch can be easily added by a mechanical contractor and is inexpensive when compared to the cost of a new ceiling.

6. Maintaining clean condenser coils: One of the most common causes of compressor failure and diminished cooling in extreme temperatures is dirty or clogged condenser coils. When the coil is dirty, the head pressure in the system raises dramatically, putting strain on the compressor. Dirt, dust, and grass clippings prevent air from crossing the coil to change vapor refrigerant into a liquid form, causing poor cooling. Heavy construction areas or dirt roads cause even a worse threat for dirty coils. The area around the outdoor coil should be kept clean and free of lawn clippings or any other yard debris. If any material is sucked into the fins or onto the side of the coil, air will not be able to flow across it.

7. The air duct system: A good duct system in your home is critical to good health and unit efficiency. Your unit may seem as though it is operating well, but if the ducts are in poor shape, air flow that would be coming into your home is actually going outdoors. Make sure supply vents are hooked up and that there aren’t any sags in the flexible supply lines under your home or in your attic, as this will cause poor air flow. Also make sure that the return side of the duct system is air tight with no leaks, and it will promote good indoor air quality as well as keep the indoor coil and duct systems clean.

Following these seven tips will help ensure that your home’s air conditioning system runs more efficiently – allowing your family to enjoy the upcoming warm summer months.

J.R. King is the owner of King’s Mechanical, a heating and air conditioning company in Wake Forest. He may be reached at 539-4266.