Stop Wasting Money On Higher Cooling Bills!

If you could put more money in your pocket, thisCondenser coils and fins (outside) are also vulnerable
summer, would you? Well, you can, by lowering yourto dirt - from debris and leaves falling from trees, cut
cooling bill. Chances are, it's higher than it needs to be.grass kicked up by the lawnmower, and lint from a
You'll be surprised at what you can save. No sacrificenearby dryer vent - so, check the condenser unit at
required. Check out these quick and easythe beginning of the cooling season. Cut the power
maintenance tips that can put you on your way toto the unit and use the following checklist:
lower bills in no time.* Gently remove any debris from top and sides.
Quick Facts About Your Central AC* Sweep the concrete pad.
Your central air conditioning (AC) system circulates* Prune back any overhanging leaves (2 feet is the
cool air through your house through supply and returnminimum recommended clearance; 5 feet overhead).
ducts (often the same ducts used for heat in the* Use a soft brush to sweep the fins.
winter). A typical central AC system has an* (Optional) Spray the fins with a gentle household
evaporator, condenser and compressor in a singlecleaner; let it sit for 5 minutes, then gently hose
cabinet located outside the house (usually on athem down pointing the spray into the interior
concrete slab right next to it), or alternately, athrough the fan opening.
condenser and compressor outside and an* Keep the unit free of dirt and debris throughout
evaporator in a separate cabinet, inside (usually in thethe season.
basement or crawl space). Both systems have a* If you can shade your unit (without blocking
blower that forces indoor air through the coil of theairflow), even better: the shaded air around your
evaporator where it's cooled, dehumidified, and sentsystem will be cooler, and a properly shaded system
through the ductwork into the house. The heatcan operate up to 10 percent more efficiently over
collected by the evaporator is transferred to thethe course of the season.
condenser (outside) to dissipate.Keeping your evaporator and condenser coils free of
Change the Air Filterdirt and debris can improve your system's
This is the most important thing you can do to helpperformance by as much as 10 percent. Just be
keep your system working at peak efficiency. Thecareful with those fins. They're a little fragile and
air moving across the evaporator is cleaned before iteasily bent. It's best to use a special tool called a fin
gets there by a filter located in the return air ductcomb to straighten them. Those are available through
(usually within easy reach in a wall or ceiling, or at theyour local home center or online. Be sure to buy the
air conditioner itself). Filters get dirty and cloggedcorrect comb for the number of fins per inch your
through regular use; the dirtier they get, the less airunit has.
gets through the system. The dirty air that getsOther Simple Steps to Savings
through is carried right to the evaporator. Dirt sticking* Anything that obstructs the flow of air through
to the evaporator coil further impedes air flow,your system reduces its efficiency and drives up
reduces the evaporator's ability to absorb heat andyour bill -- keep your registers clear of furniture,
can reduce your system's efficiency by as much asdrapes and other obstructions.
10 percent. Not to mention, that dirty air is circulated* Keep all exterior doors and windows closed when
right back through your house.operating the system.
Air filters are made by a number of manufacturers* Raise your temperature setting. Raising the setting
and come in a variety of types and efficiencies.even 1 degree can lower your bill by as much as 9
* Most residential systems use 1-inch or 2-inch flat orpercent over the course of the season.
pleated fiberglass "throwaway" filters (thicker filters* Keep your system set on "AUTO" and let your
may hold more dust but are not necessarily morethermostat do its job. If you find you need to run
efficient).the fan constantly to keep cool, it's time to call a
* There are also "permanent" type filters: mesh,technician.
electrostatic and electronic, some with pre-filters that* Set your system to recirculate the indoor air (if
collect larger dust particles.you have the option) rather than drawing outside air.
* If you or a family member suffers with allergies orConditioning the warmer outside air takes far more
sensitivity to dust or other particulates (i.e., tobaccoenergy than simply recirculating the already
smoke, pollen or pet dander), consider using a Highconditioned household air.
Efficiency Particulate Air Filter, also known as a HEPA* A little money spent could equal a lot of money
filter. These are specially constructed filters that allowsaved: have a qualified service technician check your
a high volume of air to pass through them whilesystem at least once a year. The technician will
stopping even very tiny particles.measure your refrigerant to see if it needs
* If you have any question about the right filter forrecharging, inspect your coils, measure air flow over
your system, don't guess; check with a professionalthe cooling coil, and will do a thorough inspection of
service technician.the motor, compressor, air handler, and ducts (and of
Whatever type of air filter you use, inspect it andcourse, the air filter). The technician can spot
either clean it or replace it about once a month duringpotentially costly problems early or help you avoid
peak cooling season or more often if you're living inthem entirely.
dusty conditions or with pets. Never run your systemFor Owners of Older Houses
without the filter in place.If you're still using a central air conditioning system
Clean Evaporator Coils and Finsmanufactured during the 1970s, you're likely using
Even if you regularly change your air filter, dirt will still30-50 percent more energy than a more recently
accumulate on the evaporator over time. Check yourmanufactured unit would use. Even if your unit is only
evaporator coils at least once a year and clean themten years old, replacing it with a new, more efficient
if necessary, using a vacuum cleaner with brushunit can save you 20-40 percent in cooling costs.
attachment, careful not to bend the fins.Over the life of the unit, that's considerable savings,
Clean Condenser Coils and Finsespecially with energy costs continuing to rise.