[energy tips]
KEEPING IT COOL
A clean air conditioner pays off BY JAMES DULLEY
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How can the efficiency of an air conditioning unit be increased?
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Service your central air conditioner to keep it running efficiently. Switch off the circuit breaker to the unit and remove the outdoor cabinet. Clean out any debris that has accumulated inside it, which may block the coils. If fins have been bent over in spots, try to straighten them out so more air can get through. Check all screws to be sure they’re tight, otherwise leaks will draw air in gaps instead of through the coils as designed. With the circuit breaker still switched off, remove the side cover on the indoor unit to expose the evaporator coils and the blower. Quite a bit of dirt can accumulate on the indoor coils, blocking airflow and insulating them from the air. Wipe the An air conditioner coils and then use the that is clean and brush attachment on free of debris runs your vacuum cleaner more efficiently. to clean them and the blower as well as possible. Reinstall the cover and tighten the screws. Change the blower filter regularly. At the beginning of the cooling season, change the filter whether you think it is dirty or not. A dirty filter increases airflow resistance, which reduces efficiency. Check for air leaks and seal them with aluminum tape or black Gorilla duct tape. Regular professional service calls are important. Technicians have special equipment and pressure gauges to check the internal components of the system. Service calls can also extend the life of a central air conditioner.
For more information on how to clean air conditioner units, visit coloradocountrylife. coop. Click on Energy Tips .
Will Rogers ColoradoCountryLife.coop May 2012 25