Few things are more frustrating than buying something new that doesn’t work. A significant financial investment like an air conditioner should definitely not be this way. There are key points to consider when buying an air conditioner, and yes, you need to maintain it too. So if you have a fairly new air conditioner (less than a couple of years old), read on for reasons why it may not be performing too well.
- Too big. Too large a unit will not remove moisture well.
- Too small. Too small a unit will not sufficiently cool your home on the hottest days.
- Incorrect installation. Customers should pay attention to the installation of the conduit, the location of the unit, and the amount of insulation.
- Low energy efficiency ratio. An air conditioning model with high efficiency is important. At a minimum, air conditioners must have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 13. Higher SEER ratings equal greater savings. Look for an Energy Star label that provides the energy efficiency rating, or calculate the rating yourself by dividing the watt rating into BTUs.
- Dirty filter. Don’t forget to clean or replace your air conditioning filter. Dirty filters block airflow and will greatly reduce the efficiency of your air conditioning system. Passing air can carry dirt to the evaporator coil and limit the coil’s heat absorption capacity. Some filters are reusable, while others must be replaced. The filters should be cleaned or replaced every 1-2 months, when the air conditioner is used frequently. Filters may need to be checked more often if the air conditioner is on constantly, the house is dusty, or there are pets in the house.
- Dirty evaporator coil. Even with a clean filter, the evaporator coil will still collect dirt, just not as fast. The evaporator coil should be checked every year and cleaned as necessary.
For those with older air conditioners (from the 1970s and earlier), save energy by purchasing a new air conditioner, as today’s most efficient air conditioners use 30-50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as the air conditioners of the 1970s.
