Sunday, September 13, 2009

Keep Your Air Conditioning System Running at Top Efficiency

By Jerry C. Dyess

With the current spike in energy prices, it is imperative for all homeowners to be able to get the most out of their heating and air conditioning systems. No matter if you use central air or individual systems, oil, or gas heat, these simple utilities can be very costly if you do not maintain them well. As well, depending on where in the world you live, you may have to use them for many months of the year.

In this article, we will be giving homeowners beneficial hints on how to get the most out of their heating and air conditioning systems.

Hint 1 - No matter if, you are thinking about hot or cold air, you must make certain that you constantly have adequate airflow. The top reason why airways are blocked is dirty air filters. This is why it is important that you inspect your filters at least once a month. If you see that they are worn or dirty, and then just go to a hardware store and purchase new replacement filters. This easy hint can save you hundreds per year in energy costs.

Hint 2 - You should examine your evaporator and condenser coils. They may sound like technical terms, however it is simple to ask a professional how to examine and perform maintenance on them when they are being installed. Keeping an eye on your evaporator is important because it may become clogged, and will result in your system working harder than it usually does.

This will certainly make your energy rates rise and make your system wear down faster than it should be. If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, you can clean your condensing coils yourself by just running them under the hose. Make sure to not use a powerful source of water and treat them with care. The fins that are in the condensing coils are delicate and if they are damaged then you will have to buy new ones, which can be pricey.

As well, you can clean your evaporator coil with some dish soap and warm water. You can use an old toothbrush to clean the insides but be cautious as to not damage the fins.

Hint 3 - Fallen insulation and broken or damaged duct line will affect the temperature in your house. If you see either of these issues, make certain that you call your service company and request that they be replaced. Unless you posses a lot of experience with insulation or duct repair, then do not go crawling in your attic seeking the problem.

Tip 4 - Lastly, it is always a good idea to purchase a service agreement from your local service company. These agreements are often relatively inexpensive and will ensure that a trained profession will come out to your home to check your system at least twice a year and will complete maintenance repairs and do mandatory cleanings on all of your filters and coils. It may also be a good idea to do a little research and see which company offers the best service agreements.

Do your due diligence to see which company gives the most ideal service agreements, as they will vary in cost and features. Same as having our automobiles serviced, having the heating and cooling systems in our homes serviced is a way to prevent problems from happening and a great investment that will save you significant amount money per year in energy fees.

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