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Don't Give A/C Maintenance the Cold Shoulder: Best To Do It Now Before Heat Hits

by Michele Dawson

As the coming weeks and months promise heat, many of us will find refuge indoors, seeking cool comfort from our air conditioners. But before we crank down our thermostats, it's important to make sure the unit is in good working order to get the most from it.

According to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, heating and cooling the home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in the home. Typically, 44 percent of utility bills go toward heating and cooling.

A simple pre-season inspection now can prevent future problems and costly repairs at the height of summer when product demand is high and supply is low.

To have a certified contractor check your cooling equipment for performance and energy efficiency, check www.natex.org to find a contractor whose technicians are certified by the North American Technician Excellence program, an industry-supported testing and certification program.

In the meantime, there are a host of things you or a professional can do to get your air-conditioning unit in top form before the most severe heat hits. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends these maintenance tips:

Take a look at your thermostat to make sure the cooling system turns on and off at the set temperatures.

Tighten all the electrical connections. Then measure the voltage and current on the motors. Faulty connections can lead to unsafe conditions and reduce the life of major components.

Lubricate all the moving parts. If parts aren't lubricated, friction occurs, which ultimately increases the amount of electricity you use.

Check and inspect the condensate drain. If the drain is plugged, water damage can occur and indoor humidity levels can rise, leading to the breeding of bacteria.

Check the controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation and that the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.

Inspect, clean or change the air filter once a month. Depending on your system, the filter may be found in the duct system rather than the cooling unit itself. Dirty filters lead to higher energy bills and can damage your equipment.

Clean the evaporator and condenser coils. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your house and cause the system to run longer, which ultimately raises your energy bill and lessens the life of your air-conditioning unit.

Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant pressures and adjust the charge if necessary.

Clean and adjust the blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels.

Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission recommends that you install window coverings and keep your windows covered during the day, and that you consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows with high-performance glass. In warmer climates, select windows with spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain. In colder climates, select windows that are gas filled with low-e coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss.

Also, prune back any brushes or shrubbery that may be creeping up over your air-conditioning unit and be blocking airflow to the unit.

Another great way to help cool your house is to plant trees in strategically placed locations to best shade your house. Trees also add property value.

Finally, get plenty of sunscreen and keep plenty of lemonade handy for the long, hot summer ahead.

Published: May 5, 2003

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

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