Spring is the perfect time to give your home cooling equipment a check-up. Fixing any problems now will help you avoid air-conditioning problems when hot weather arrives for good. And, well-maintained air conditioning systems cool more efficiently, saving energy and money.
Viewer Tip: You can perform a cooling system check-up yourself or ask a professional for help. According to EPA’s Energy Star program, a typical check-up should include:
Tightening electrical connections. Faulty connections can be unsafe and reduce the life of your system.
Lubricating moving parts. This reduces friction in motors and increases energy efficiency.
Checking the condensate drain. A plugged drain can affect indoor humidity levels and cause water damage in your home.
Checking system controls for safe operation. Make sure your system starts, stops and operates as it should.
Cleaning air conditioning coils. This increases energy efficiency and prolongs the life of the equipment.
Checking refrigerant level and adjusting if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant can affect system efficiency.
Cleaning and adjusting blower components for good airflow. Problems with airflow can reduce an air conditioning system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent!
Source: Energy Star. “Maintenance Checklist.”
Photo courtesy the U.S. Department of Energy
