During the hot summer season, it’s essential to keep yourself cool from sweating all day long, and thankfully, there are many cooling options to consider before deciding which one suits your needs best. About 74% of households own air conditioners, which arguably consume about 6% of energy for cooling. Air conditioners resemble the functioning of your refrigerators. Like them, your A.C. transfers heat from inside your home to the outside environment. But unlike refrigerators that remove heat from food items and other stored goods, air conditioners remove hot air inside your home, which becomes inadequately warmer when exposed to the sun.
With so many U.S. homes using refrigerators or air conditioners, one can comfortably assume that using these appliances during hot weather is a necessity rather than just a luxury. If you don’t want to mess up your experience, you should buy the most efficient air conditioning system for your home that not only keeps it cool but can lower your monthly energy bills also by almost 20-50%. However, this is just one step. Correct installation, care, and maintenance play a huge role in its longevity, efficiency, and enjoyable experience.
Air conditioner maintenance and care
Air conditioning systems have several features that need close attention as your car. Virginia homeowners are advised by the experts who specialize in air conditioning repair in Leesburg, VA to follow the instructions closely and always be on top of the work that needs to be done in order for this appliance to function. If you take good care of the filters, coils, and fins, it will run effectively for years to come. So if your air conditioning system develops a fault or stops working, it could be because of the lack of maintenance in the first place. Neglecting any necessary maintenance means that the performance of your A.C. will start to decline over time, and energy use will go up, which is something one must avoid. It wastes your money and makes the environment unpleasant at home. So, let’s see how you can maintain your home’s cooling system.
AC Filters
When it comes to performance, air filters can be one of the most overlooked components in your home’s cooling system. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce the overall efficiency of a system’s cooling capacity. Besides, due to obstructed airflow, you might notice dirt collection on the evaporator coil (responsible for cooling the air) that doesn’t allow proper heat transfer. If you replace your AC’s soiled and blocked filter, it can dramatically keep your energy bills on the lower end. Your monthly electricity use may improve by as much as 15 percent.
A new air conditioning system at home might be an exciting experience for an average person. However, if a home is incredibly dusty or has pets with long hair, you may need to clean the filters up more often than others. But not all filters are the same as you get disposable and reusable varieties in them, each having unique efficiency. Suppose you cannot manage it by yourself, no worries. You can opt for professional AC repair services and maintenance plans to address this and other areas.
Most central air conditioning units have a filter near the ductwork. Familiar places for an air conditioner’s filter include inside walls and ceilings, at the end of a register, or in a central unit itself. Room units generally also mount filters inside their grills so that air blows through them before it hits your rooms. Do you use a central air conditioning system or room air conditioners? Well, both these are different types of cooling systems. Some households use centralized A.C., while others opt for room A.C. based on their needs and budget.
Room Air Conditioners
Room air conditioners tend to be more suitable for individual rooms. They are less expensive to use since they don’t have to cool the entire building, regardless of the property type. However, they are not as efficient as central air conditioning units; they can get a little warm in the house on summer days. You can easily plug your small room air conditioner into a typically 120-volt circuit without sharing the connection with any other device. Larger models may require a reliable power source, in which case they usually take a 240-volt supply.
It’s vital to get the right size for efficient air conditioning because you might not enjoy it if your unit is too big or too small. For example, a large-capacity air conditioner than needed will not make you feel as comfortable as one that’s just right. It might fail to perform well either because of overheating or work less effectively than smaller ones that fit correctly. It’ll cool your rooms before dehumidifier processes have occurred, making them damp and sticky. However, a small unit apt for your setting can offer excellent services by maintaining the dehumidification levels.
Centralized Air Conditioning System
On the other hand, a centralized air conditioning unit is essentially a giant fan that blows cool air throughout the ductwork of your home and carries heat away from all the vents in every room that have grills over them to keep the hot summer air out. When the cooled air gets warmer as it goes back through your house, it mixes with fresh cold air to return to your room with a neutral temperature.
Installing an air conditioner can seem like a daunting task, no matter the model you choose. If installed correctly from the start, you can rest assured of getting years of efficient operation and all for a lower price than ever before. However, many homeowners don’t install their units properly, leading to less efficient operation in general. And it is relevant for every type of air conditioning system. Make sure you hire professional installation services to avoid unwanted situations.
Air Conditioner Fins
Compressor fins and evaporator fins are two different features, but the theory behind their functions is similar. Compressor fins sit on the outer part of the air conditioner near the compressor bank, which appears to be a grill with metal fins protruding from it. These fins help hot air dissipate more quickly out of the unit so that things stay cool inside your home or commercial space, even on those hot days when most would rather hang out anywhere but where they work. Conversely, evaporator fins stay inside the cylinder head on a split-system ac system or central forced-air units for residential applications.
Air conditioning fins are very sophisticated items, and the types of A.C. fins, such as condenser fins or evaporator fins, can easily bend or break. Over time, with normal usage, AC fins can also become clogged by dirt and debris. On the other hand, when condenser fins become bent or clogged, it results in significant airflow restrictions that would usually pass through your cooling system. It can lead to a complete loss of efficiency in your entire A.C. unit. As you may know, when your cooling system works harder because of weak airflow, you face higher utility bills along with the risk of your AC wearing out too soon.
Since even a self-taught DIYer struggles with this part’s maintenance and repair, it would be best to onboard an A.C. repair and replacement professional. They possess all the necessary tools and materials to deal with any issues in these and other features of your air conditioning system.
Condenser Fan Motor
When the condenser calls for air conditioning, the fan motor blows refrigerant gas through coils to make it cold. As the blades turn, your air conditioner continues to release cool air inside your home or office. If the motor wears down over time, poor airflow occurs, and you might start to feel uncomfortable. The perfect way to make sure you get a quality fan motor is by hiring a licensed AC repair company. Old or overused A.C.s may need the replacement of this component. After all, you want your A.C. to run longer.
AC Transformer
Transformers can change the voltage of the unit. They use electromagnetic induction instead of an on/off switch. That means it uses cycles of electricity for cooling and heating purposes. The transformer is a vital aspect of an A.C. unit as it plays a significant part in the operation of your whole heating or cooling system. Hence, it would be best to keep a watch on it. Otherwise, the lousy transformer can create several issues, such as causing a humming noise, short circuit, etc. Your A.C. may stop working as well. Some of these may happen due to faulty capacitors or installation too. Since these technical areas may be beyond your knowledge and skills, you can rely on a professional A.C. service company to take care of everything.
Most people believe that using professional services is a luxury or avoid using their plans and programs thinking of the cost. But sultry summers may drain your energy, making you feel tired and irritable from the inside. Then, AC is a big-ticket appliance, and if it conks out or consumes high power, you will not be able to save anything. On the contrary, if you give the responsibility to experts, you can enjoy cooling even in the hot summer without burning a hole in your pocket. So, contact your local air conditioner services provider before it is too late.
