Air Conditioning System
There are two major components of the air conditioning system.
The inside unit is called the evaporator. If a home has a forced-air furnace, the evaporator is within the housing of the furnace. If there is no furnace, cold air comes out of the air handler.
The outside unit houses the compressor and condenser, which discharge the hot air from the home. If the air conditioning is operating correctly, hot air can be felt blowing out of the unit. Some homeowners cover the outside unit in fall and winter to protect it from leaves and snow. But beware that animals are looking for dry, cozy places to live in the winter and may decide to build a nest and chew on wiring. If the unit is covered, it should be inspected before it is used for the first time that season to repair damage, if necessary.
If the home does not have central air conditioning but has one or more mini-split systems or window air conditioners, the principle is the same. The air coming into the house is cool and the air going out is hot.
Air Conditioning Maintenance
The most important part of maintaining the air conditioning unit is to keep the system clean. Typically, filters should be replaced or washed frequently. Check the filter monthly during the cooling season. If the filter is dirty after one month, check it more frequently (every week or so). A dirty filter will reduce the cooling capacity dramatically. It recommended homeowners have the air conditioning system serviced annually before the weather gets hot. Once a heat wave hits, it may take quite a while to schedule a technician. Be sure that there is adequate air flow around the outside unit so it can operate at peak efficiency. It's also a good idea to have enough space around the unit to allow it to be serviced easily.
Tips to Cool your Home
Keep window coverings like drapes and blinds closed when the sun is pouring into the home. Solar gain can increase the temperature inside, which will increase the workload of the air conditioning system.
Because electric rates can fluctuate at different times of the day, running major electric appliances like clothes dryers and dishwashers at night may help to reduce your energy bill and make it easier on the air conditioning unit.
Planting deciduous trees on the south and west side of the yard will help shade the home during the summer months.
Maintenance
Properly maintained air conditioning units may last many years, but eventually they will have to be replaced. Ten to fifteen years is a typical lifespan, but results will vary. Newer systems are more efficient and are less expensive to operate, which saves money in the long term. If weather permits, an ASHI inspector will run the air conditioning to make sure it is operating during a home inspection. Periodic inspection of a home's air conditioning system by an ASHI inspector is important to ensure a home is cooled safely and efficiently.
Schedule a Home Inspection
Periodic inspection of the entire home is recommended every few years. Find an ASHI home inspector in your area to schedule a home inspection and improve your home maintenance.
