How to Tell if Your AC is Running Efficiently

Your air conditioner has a big job every year! Your unit is out of sight and can be out of mind unless you notice issues, such as higher utility bills or warm air blowing out of your vents. But there are also subtle ways that your air conditioner can speak to you that you can keep track of to make sure that your unit is at its best season after season. We have gathered some tricks to check on your efficiency during the summer season.

Temperature Check: A straightforward way to know how your air conditioner is working is to literally take the temperature of the air that it is cooling. Head over to the register that supplies cool air through your home and leave it there for about five minutes. Then take the temperature of the air that is coming out of the return vent. There should be about a 15-degree difference between the two. Then you know your air is nice and cool.

Blower Checkup: Properly and efficiently operating units should have the outdoor component running smoothly. When you are outside, you should be able to see your fan blowing and hear the faint noise or humming that it is operating correctly.

Keep an Eye on Your Evaporator Coils: Dirty coils can disrupt your AC. They are an important part of your system as they absorb the heat from your indoor air and work with your condenser coil to wrap up the heat exchange process. Evaporator coils can be found on the inside of your air handler or attached to your furnace. If they are dirty, they add to the amount of energy that your AC has to use to perform. The best way to keep them clean is to make sure that you are changing your air filter as scheduled.

Check your Thermostat: Sometimes, your efficiency can be affected by your thermostat, which is the brains of your whole process. You may need to change batteries or install a new thermostat for the utmost efficiency.

Expert Available for Your Air Conditioner Needs

An overall well-maintained air conditioner is a key component of energy efficiency. Our team at Van Drunen Heating & Air Conditioning can help with a maintenance plan for your HVAC system that can spot issues before they cause major problems. Our trained technicians can repair a range of air conditioning units and answer your questions. We can also go over your options for energy-efficient units if you are ready to install a whole new system. Sometimes, it makes more sense to install a more energy-efficient model if you are spending too much on repairs or your AC is very old and outdated.

We have more than 50 years of experience in the industry, and we bring that knowledge to our clients season after season. We can schedule an appointment today. Contact us via our online contact form.