One of the most popular appliances on Earth, the modern air conditioner is a durable, unwieldy machine. It takes at least one able-bodied person to install, remove, or replace it. On the plus side, it can provide years of faithful service. The only thing the owner must do is maintain it! Here are a few simple tips that can help you keep your A/C in fine fettle.
Clean it!
Air conditioners take warm air and cool it through a process that involves filtration and refrigeration. After a full season of regular use, the average A/C gets clogged up with dirt, debris, and environmental allergens. This makes it much harder for them to operate at peak performance. As a result, it will use more energy than it should.
The easiest and most effective way to save money on operating costs is to replace the air filters, which get stopped up with impurities. For most units, these disposable filters should be replaced at least once a month during regular use.
It is also important to check the condenser coils on the inside of the unit. Dirt and debris can accumulate on these coils, making it harder for them to cool hot air. Simply removing caked on dirt or debris may be enough to improve operating efficiency.