As temperatures continue to rise here in sunny Southern California, air conditioning systems are going to be doing more and more work. You can expect your electrical bill to go up during the summer because of the AC, but you should also make sure that your bills don’t rise too much. Compare what you’re paying now to what you were paying at this time last year. Is the difference surprising? If it is, than it’s probably because the air conditioner is losing energy efficiency. Below are some of the possible reasons for this decline:
- The outdoor condenser is dirty: We wrote recently about how you should cover over the condenser when there’s construction to prevent debris from getting inside it. In general, you want to keep the condenser clean, since dirt and grime will prevent the condenser coil from effectively releasing heat to the outside and cause the AC’s efficiency to drop. Professionals can clean off the coil if this is the problem.
- The thermostat is miscalibrated: Even a few degrees of miscalibration will result in an AC that runs longer than it should.
- The air filter is clogged: The air filter on an air conditioner should be cleaned or changed (depending on the filter type) once every 1–3 months, otherwise it will develop heavy congestion that will restrict airflow and lower energy efficiency. Make a monthly check on the filter to see if it is clogged.
- There are leaks in the ductwork: Sometimes the efficiency problem comes from the ventilation system, rather than the AC. Leaks in the ducts can account for a loss of up to 30% of the cool air coming from the air conditioner, which will severely cut into its performance efficiency. Sealing the ducts requires HVAV specialists.
And remember, the best way to see that your air conditioner is in peak condition for the coming hot months is to have it professionally maintained.
Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical offers air conditioning repair any time of the day or night in Valley Village, CA. Call our certified service technicians for exceptional customer service!