 | Alden Allen has sold and serviced appliances for Heidrick's customers since 1984. He is a graduate of Pittsburg State and has lived in and around Girard his entire life. For more information call 620-724-4123 . |
Appliances
2011-09-01 00:00:00
Efficient air conditioning - series - part 2
My electric bill is really high this time of the year. What can I do to make my air conditioner use less electricity?
Last month, we began discussing tips on keeping your air conditioner efficient and from using a lot of electricity during these hot summer months…cleaning your filters and coils. The importance of cleaning the coil is to allow the compressor to run smoothly and not to overwork something that is already working hard to keep your home cool. Smaller window units should be removed from the window, because if you try to spray them from the outside you will make quite a mess indoors. Larger window air conditioner guts can slide out and be taken outdoors to clean, but make sure and keep it level as you carry it as there will be some water in the bottom of the cabinet. Once outdoors, spray both coils with the cleaning agent and wash them with a garden hose. The coils at the front of the air conditioner should be flushed from inside towards the front of the air conditioner. The coils in the back should be flushed from inside the air conditioner toward the back of the air conditioner. Central air conditioner’s coil is usually located outside on a concrete pad. First, make sure all weeds and all shrubbery are at least three feet from the unit in all directions and the area above the air conditioner is unrestricted at least five foot above the coil. After you have done your landscaping, it is now time to spray down the coil with cleaning agent, but first don’t forget to turn off the power at the disconnect box. When you flush these fins and coil use a spray nozzle attached to a garden hose and rinsing from top down to dislodge the dirt from the fins and coil. Never use a high pressure washer because the power this develops could damage the fins and the coil. Now you’re ready turn the power back on and go back inside, cool down and save some money.
