Energy Star Air Conditioning Checklist

It’s getting hot again in Central Florida. Every year we get calls from Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Longwood, Sanford, Oviedo, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Kissimmee and Dr. Phillips asking us about maintenance of their central air conditioning system. We also see air conditioners that could have had many more years of productive use, need to be replaced because they were not properly maintained. The Energy Star Web Site has a simple maintenance checklist that if adhered to will give your system a longer and more productive life. We recommend hiring a professional to inspect your system every 6 months to ensure a healthy air conditioning system.

• Check Thermostat settings- This will ensure you are comfortable when you are home and saving money and energy when you are not!
• Tighten all electrical connections- Faulty connections could pose a danger to your family and reduce the life of your systems components.
• Lubricate all moving parts- When parts aren’t lubricated they cause friction which in turn will use more electricity costing you more.
• Check and inspect the condensate drain- a clogged drain can cause water damage in a house
• Check controls of the system
• Clean evaporator and condensing coils- Dirty coils inhibit your systems ability to cool your home, which will cause the system to run longer, which results in increased energy usage and reduces the life of your system.
• Check your air conditionings refrigerant levels-This should be done by a certified professional. 75% of homes do not have the require amount of refrigerant in their air conditioners. Having too little refrigerant will make your air conditioner to work harder using more electricity and could substantially reduce the life of your air conditioner.
• Clean and adjust blower components- Air flow problems can reduce your systems efficiency by 15%.
• Clean or change your air conditioners filters monthly! Not changing your air filters regularly will cause your system to operate inefficiently, damage your system and could create an unsafe environment for your family.

For more information on inspecting your air conditioning system or to schedule an appointment for Greens Energy to do maintenance on your air conditioner, call us at (407) 282- 5000 or contact us online!

Source material: Environmental protection Agency/ US Dept of Energy