The air conditioner has a big job every year! The unit is out of sight and can be out of mind unless users notice issues, such as higher utility bills or warm air blowing out of the vents.
But there are also subtle ways that the air conditioner can speak to users that they can keep track of to make sure that the unit is at its best season after season. They have gathered some tricks to check on the efficiency during the summer season.
Component running smoothly
Temperature Check: A straightforward way to know how the air conditioner is working is to literally take the temperature of the air that it is cooling. Head over to the register that supplies cool air through the home and leave it there for about five minutes. Then take the temperature of the air that is coming out of the return vent. There should be about a 15-degree difference between the two. Then users know the air is nice and cool.
Blower Checkup: Properly and efficiently operating units should have the outdoor component running smoothly. When users are outside, they should be able to see the fan blowing and hear the faint noise or humming that it is operating correctly.
Heat exchange process
Evaporator coils can be found on the inside of the air handler or attached to the furnace
Keep an Eye on the Evaporator Coils: Dirty coils can disrupt the AC. They are an important part of the system as they absorb the heat from the indoor air and work with the condenser coil to wrap up the heat exchange process.
Evaporator coils can be found on the inside of the air handler or attached to the furnace. If they are dirty, they add to the amount of energy that the AC has to use to perform. The best way to keep them clean is to make sure that they are changing the air filter as scheduled.
Check the Thermostat: Sometimes, efficiency can be affected by the thermostat, which is the brains of the whole process. Users may need to change batteries or install a new thermostat for the utmost efficiency.
Energy-efficient model
An overall well-maintained air conditioner is a key component of energy efficiency. The team at Van Drunen Heating & Air Conditioning can help with a maintenance plan for the HVAC system that can spot issues before they cause major problems.
Their trained technicians can repair a range of air conditioning units and answer the questions. They can also go over the options for energy-efficient units if users are ready to install a whole new system. Sometimes, it makes more sense to install a more energy-efficient model if they are spending too much on repairs or the AC is very old and outdated.