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Living in the south has a few perks. I get to garden for 9 months out of the year. I have discovered a love of chicken fried steak and cornbread with fresh jalapenos. And, oddly enough, I have even come to enjoy country music. However, the one thing I absolutely detest about living in the south is the heat. Want to know how to get a cooler home this summer? Need to lower electric bills? Here are a few air conditioner maintenance tips that may help!
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Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips
Honestly, how do people survive when the out of doors feels like a giant sauna with bugs the size of small rodents? I know how *I* survive the hell of summer heat…I live inside all summer with my air conditioner running!
We live in a two story house with a very old air conditioner. That means air conditioner maintenance is vital for me to keep my electric bill as low as possible. A well-tuned air conditioning system and a programmable thermostat can cut your utility bills by 30%. If you want to save money and maximize your cooling efficiency this summer, follow these air conditioner maintenance tips.
Change air conditioner filters:
Changing your air conditioner filters is one of the most important air conditioner maintenance tips you can follow. Clogged, dirty filters slow down air flow and increase energy usage. Some types of air conditioner filters are reusable, while others are disposable. Talk to your local air conditioner service provider if you cannot locate yours.
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Clean air conditioner coils:
The air conditioner’s evaporator coil and condenser coil collect dirt as they do their job. This dirt reduces airflow and reduces its ability to absorb heat. The result is an air conditioner that does not cool well and costs a lot more money to run. Clean the coils yearly.
What can you use to clean AC coils?Just mix warm water and a simple detergent in a spray bottle, hand sprayer or garden sprayer. Apply the water and detergent solution to the evaporator coils. Let sit for a few minutes and wipe away the loose material with a soft cloth or brush. You can also use compressed air in a can or an air compressor to blow off the debris. You can also try using air conditioner coil cleaner.
Remove debris from around the outdoor unit:
Central air conditioners have an outdoor condenser unit. Make sure there is no debris blocking the unit from proper air flow.
Clear the condensate drain:
Years ago, our air conditioner condensate drain became blocked and we ended up with a HUGE pool of water under the air conditioner. Unfortunately, it also overflowed the drainage pan and ended up seeping through my ceiling. We learned our lesson! Periodically clean your air conditioner condensate drain with a stiff brush or pass a small amount of dilute bleach or vinegar through the lines.
Hire Air Conditioner Maintenance Professionals
I know you want to save money and tackle a ton of air conditioner maintenance tips on your own but some things are best left to professionals. Hire an air conditioner service technician to make sure your unit is in tip top shape. Your service technician will be able to check for correct amount of refrigerant and detect any leaks in the system. He can also replace old belts and electrical elements as well as make sure your thermostat is accurate.
How often should you have your air conditioner serviced? Heating and air conditioning equipment, no matter what kind you have, should be inspected, cleaned, and serviced at least once a year. So, do your regular air conditioner maintenance, but call in professionals regularly, too.
How to Save Money on Air Conditioning
So, these air conditioner maintenance tips are vital to keep your unit in tip top shape. And that means that you will probably lower electric bills during the summer. But, how do you save money on air conditioning once your until is running smoothly?
Don’t set your air conditioner quite as low at night. Dress in lightweight pajamas and swap your comforter out for a light sheet. You won’t even notice the warmer temperatures. If you really need a cold bedroom, buy a window air conditioning unit rather than run the whole house unit. You sill save yourself money in the long run. Also, make sure none of your vents are blocked with furniture. They can’t get the cold air to you easily if there is a couch sitting over it.
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician with two teens, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She has a BS in Microbiology and is a Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging full time. She currently deals with emotional teens, suburban politics, and middle aged metabolism while sharing her opinions in an honest and down to earth fashion on her blog. You can learn more about her HERE.
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