How to Maximize Your Air Conditioner Unit's Efficiency

When the weather starts warming up, you are probably thinking about turning on that air conditioner. But when you do, you want to ensure that your air conditioner runs at its highest efficiency and effectiveness at keeping you cool. It's not rocket science, though... here are the steps to improving and maximizing your unit's efficiency.

Step 1: Make sure there is a clearance of 3 feet all around the unit. Assuming your unit is outside, cut down any shrubbery or weeds that have begun to grow around the unit. 3 feet is a good clearance for this. In fact, you don't want anything around the unit, so avoid storing items like yard chairs, hoses, pots, or other items around it. The more space you can give it, the better.

Step 2: Clean the coil. You can simply and efficientlyuse your garden hose to spray your unit's coil. Spray it at a downward facing angle, to be sure that you are getting it nice and clean for the coming work it has to do! The cleaner it is, the more efficient it can be at keeping you and your family cool! A clean coil means good airflow, and good airflow means greater efficiency.

Step 3: Clean or change the indoor filter as well. There is an indoor suction area that needs to be clean, too. Remove the filter and either replace it or, if it is a washable type, go ahead and clean it out by vacuuming and then washing and drying it thoroughly. If you have the washable type of filter, you can also disinfect it of any type of bacteria by adding a little bit of vinegar to the water, perhaps in the bathtub, and letting it soak for a couple of hours. Just make sure that you thoroughly air dry it before putting back in its place.

Step 4: It's time to test things out. Turn the unit on, and go outside and listen to it carefully. You want to make sure that the compressor came on first of all, and that after it comes on that you can see the fan on top of the unit spinning. If both of these things take place, your unit is operating!

Step 5: This summer, the closer you set your thermostat temperature to the outside temperature, the more efficient your unit can be. Always keep this in mind!

Indeed, you can maximize the efficiency of your air conditioner unit this year, without calling in an expert who will only take your money! Use these handy steps to guide yourself (or your hubby) through the maximization of air conditioner efficiency! Your air conditioner needs to be tended to just like your body does for its health!