Is Your AC Draining Your Home’s Energy? Here’s a Few Reasons Why

A damaged or inefficient AC could increase your energy bills by thousands of dollars a year, and that is just one of the reasons why you should make sure that your HVAC system is running smoothly at all times. With regular maintenance and some professional assistance, you should be able to avoid some of the most common air conditioning issues that homeowners struggle with.

Clogged Filters

Many people forget about their AC filters for months, and that can wreak havoc on their energy bills. While every HVAC system is slightly different, most experts agree that filters should be changed at least once a month. When AC filters become clogged, the system must work much harder to pull in air, and that could eventually overheat the motor. Luckily, swapping out an AC filter is a simple job that should only take a few minutes to complete.

An Older Model

If your air conditioner is more than a decade old, then it might be nearing the end of its lifespan. Properly maintaining your air conditioner will increase its lifespan, but there will come a point when it ends up costing you more money than it’s worth. As a general rule, you should consider replacing your AC if you are repairing it one or more times a year. You might also want to replace it if it is more than 14 or 15 years old.

Dirty Condenser Coil

The outdoor unit that is attached to your HVAC system is called a condenser, and it can become clogged or caked in debris. While your HVAC contractor will clean the condenser coil during their biannual service calls, you should be able to carry out this simple project on your own. At least once a month, you can rinse the condenser off with nothing more than a garden hose.

Overheating Outdoor Unit

The outdoor unit could overheat for a wide variety of reasons. If you have recently cleaned the unit and it is still overheating, then some of the fins might be bent. To realign the fins, you will need to gently twist them with a pair of pliers. Some companies also sell fin realignment tools, and purchasing one of those devices will be a great investment if your fins are constantly being bent.

The easiest way to avoid all of these problems is to have your air conditioner serviced by a professional contractor at least twice a year. One of those professionals will be able to catch relatively small issues before they become expensive catastrophes.