How to Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Smoothly
Air conditioners cool your home by absorbing heat from the indoor air and sending it outdoors. They also remove moisture from the air.
A fan blows the warm indoor air over a cold coil that has liquid refrigerant running through it. The heat from the air is absorbed by the refrigerant, which then turns into gas.
Energy efficiency
If you’re shopping for an air conditioner, it pays to keep energy efficiency in mind. While it may cost more upfront to purchase an AC with a high SEER or EER rating, the monthly savings in electricity costs can make up for this initial investment.
The cooling process in an air conditioner involves the refrigeration cycle, a series of changes in temperature, pressure, and state (liquid/vapor) that the refrigerant goes through to remove heat from your home and dump it outside. This requires a lot of electricity, so it’s important to choose an efficient model.
While there are many different ratings and certifications to look for, the ENERGY STAR designation is a good place to start. This program is designed Air conditioner to help you find energy-efficient products, which save money and reduce environmental impact.
Another great way to save on electricity costs is to install a programmable thermostat, which can automatically adjust temperatures according to your schedule. This can keep your house cool when you’re expecting guests or warmer when nobody’s around. You can also avoid overusing your AC by keeping the indoor temperature at a moderate level and changing your filter regularly.
Finally, it’s worth checking whether a particular model uses environmentally friendly refrigerants. Avoid those that contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which contribute to climate change by blocking heat from escaping back into space. Instead, look for a model that uses a lower GWP refrigerant such as R-32.
Noise level
A noisy air conditioner can make it difficult to relax and enjoy your home. However, there are ways you can minimize noise from your air conditioning unit. A simple way is to move it away from areas that are sensitive to sound. This will reduce the noise level considerably. You can also place carpeting in the room around the unit to reduce echoes and reverberations. Another option is to wrap the unit in foam to absorb excess noise.
The decibel rating of an air conditioner can help you choose a quiet machine. The higher the number, the louder the machine. Typically, the most popular models will have a decibel rating of less than 50. This is the same as a television and slightly quieter than a normal conversation.
However, it is important to note that decibel ratings are subjective and what may seem loud to one person could be barely audible to another. In addition, the type of environment and personal hearing loss will impact how loud something sounds.
Most manufacturers will list the decibel Air conditioner rating on their websites or in the specifications of the units. If you cannot find this information, ask the company for it.
Convenience
A dependable air conditioner will help keep your home cool and comfortable. It will also allow you to save energy and money by using less power.
The best way to save energy is to buy a unit with a high SEER rating. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it refers to how well your air conditioning system will reduce the amount of electricity it consumes. You can determine the SEER rating of an AC by looking at its label, or asking a contractor to tell you.
Besides cooling, an air conditioner can also provide ventilation and dehumidification. Moreover, it can heat your living spaces during colder weather. In fact, a ductless mini-split AC can be used as both a heating and cooling unit. This type of unit works by moving heat in and out of your house through a series of copper pipes.
Portable air conditioners are convenient to use and can be moved from room to room. However, they may not be suitable for all types of windows. It is important to make sure the AC can fit in your window before buying it. You should also know the size of your room and the BTU (British Thermal Unit) capacity of the air conditioner you want to buy. The more BTUs the air conditioner has, the greater its cooling capacity.
Maintenance
Like a car, air conditioners require regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Performing some of this maintenance yourself can save you money on repairs and extend the life of your system. If you have a central AC unit, it’s best to have a professional perform routine maintenance checks and clean the ductwork, but most homeowners can keep their room or portable air conditioners in good working order with some simple steps.
To begin, shut off power to the AC unit, either at the breaker box or by moving the switch to the “off” position on an exterior box near the unit, if applicable. Also, remove any grass, leaves, or weeds that have grown near the compressor unit and trim back shrubbery and flowers within two feet of the unit to allow for proper air flow.
Change filters as needed. Clogged, dirty filters restrict airflow through the evaporator coil and reduces efficiency. Clean the evaporator drain pan, which is often an inch-wide PVC pipe that leads to the outside unit or to a sink or utility drain. A clogged drain prevents the unit from reducing humidity, which can discolor carpet and wood.
Inspect the aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils for bends, which reduce their ability to absorb heat and may block airflow through the coils. Air conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called a fin comb that can straighten the fins, returning them to their original shape.