Peak Air Conditioner Performance Can Be Had -- With These 5 Tips

These specs assume a unit that’s properly maintained and operating under optimal conditions. Very often, that’s a big assumption. If any one of several operating parameters is below par, the overall performance of your air conditioner will decline and household comfort will suffer.

Here are five tips for ensuring peak air conditioner performance during the cooling season:

1. Check airflow. The single most important specification in an A/C is adequate airflow. Change the filter monthly to avoid airflow restriction. Have your ducts tested for leakage by an HVAC technician if airflow seems insufficient.
2. Watch the evaporator coil. The coil located inside the air handler extracts heat from the air to cool it. Dirt and/or mold accumulation on a coil reduces its efficiency. A dirty coil can also cause ice accumulation, restricting airflow and efficiency. A preventive maintenance coil cleaning by an HVAC professional every few years will prevent performance loss.
3. Include the condenser coil.  The coil in the condenser unit located outside may accumulate dust, leaves or grass clippings, reducing its ability to disperse heat into the outdoor air. Have it cleaned annually by a professional and make sure grass or other vegetation doesn’t grow too close to the grille or exhaust vents and restrict airflow.
4. Program your cooling. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically conform household temperatures to daily schedules of activity in the home. A programmable thermostat allows you to return home to a cool house each day, but maintains higher thermostat settings during times when nobody’s home or occupants are asleep.
5. Reduce the load. Take some of the cooling load off the A/C by shading windows with awnings or installing external sunscreens to absorb infrared energy in the sunlight. Make sure your attic has adequate insulation to retard heat conduction through the ceiling.

Since 1928, Rodenhiser Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning has served homeowners in the Route 495/128 area in Massachusetts with superior indoor comfort. Call us for more tips to get the most out of your air conditioner all summer long.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.

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