The last place you’d want to have an inefficient air conditioner is in your Southwest Arizona home where daytime highs can exceed 100 degrees for weeks on end. Fortunately, you and your HVAC professional can lower your energy consumption without sacrificing any home comfort. Here’s how:
- Make sure you keep your outdoor condenser clean. Anything that blocks the airflow through the condenser will lower the efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The condenser houses the condensing coil that holds the hot refrigerant from your home. A large fan blows air over the coil, and when the airflow is blocked, it won’t cool off as fast. You
can hose off the condenser’s coil throughout the summer to remove excess dust. - Have your HVAC technician assess the condition of your ductwork. Any air leak found needs to be sealed.
- Locate the drain pan inside the air handler beneath your evaporator coil and look for adequate drainage. Sometimes the drain can clog or the pump may break and need replacing. Your technician will clear the drain and test the pump to keep water from pooling in the drain pan. This will prevent water damage around the air handler and lower indoor humidity.
- Find out if your system is short cycling. An air conditioner that’s too large for your home will not run long enough to be effective. Short cycling drives up energy costs, increases repairs and reduces comfort. If your system is due for replacement, work with a NATE-certified contractor to find the best size for your home and install it based on industry best practices.
If you think you have an inefficient air conditioner, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We’ve been providing NATE-certified HVAC services for Yuma homeowners since 1952.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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