South Texas homeowners depend on air conditioning efficiency to stay cool during our lengthy hot summers. With light do-it-yourself maintenance and the expertise of an A/C professional, you can depend on energy savings, too.
Air conditioning efficiency
A/C systems need free airflow, precise refrigerant charge, and all the other components, including electrical contacts and good ductwork design, in top condition to deliver optimal home comfort and maximize energy savings. Follow this DIY checklist for peak A/C efficiency until the last days of summer:
- The outdoor cabinet needs two or more feet of clearance from any obstructions to airflow. Cut or pull tall grass and weeds, throw away any debris, and spray the unit with a garden hose (turn off power at the circuit box, and allow to dry before turning on).
- If the indoor evaporator coil and blower are accessible, you may use a can of pressurized air to blow away some of the debris accumulation.
- Visually inspect your ductwork for holes, loose connections and insulation. You may seal holes and loose connections with mastic and fiberglass mesh, or have your A/C pro perform a duct evaluation for you.
- Using an accurate thermometer, measure temperatures at the air-supply registers and return grille. The difference in temperature should be no less than 14 degrees. Temperatures less than 14 degrees could mean you have incorrect refrigerant charge (assuming you’ve sealed duct leaks and have cleaned the coils and blowers).
- Reduce the cooling load on your A/C by blocking sunlight in sun-facing rooms with drapes, solar screens or other methods. Direct sunlight streaming into rooms can increase cooling load up to 20 percent.
- Check your air filter monthly for optimal indoor air quality and energy savings.
DIY maintenance is necessary between service calls, but nothing beats the expertise of a dependable A/C pro. Your technician should deep clean coils, inspect electrical contacts, check refrigerant levels, check for refrigerant leaks, and much more. A regular service contract will pay off in extended A/C life, home comfort and lower energy bills.
For quality air conditioning service on the Coastal Bend, contact the A/C professionals at CCAC, Inc.in Corpus Christi.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioning efficiency and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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