A well-maintained air conditioner will cool more efficiently and have a longer lifespan. In addition to regular AC maintenance, you can do your part by keeping the area around your AC clear of dirt, debris, and foliage.
Keeping the Area Around Your AC Clear
Air conditioners have several components: an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion device. The outdoor component of your AC is where hot, pressurized gas flows over the compressor and is then sent to the condenser coils, where it is cooled and changes back into a liquid. It is then recirculated back into your home to cool the air and remove more heat.
When condenser coils begin to accumulate dirt, it makes it much harder for the cooling system to perform. This means that electric bills increase and indoor comfort decreases because the system needs more energy to keep up with the demand for cooled air. And if the condenser coils become too clogged with dust and dirt, they can no longer convert the gas into liquid, which can cause your system to stop producing cool air, even though it’s still running. This can lead to total breakdown of your air conditioner.
So one of the best ways to prevent this accumulation of dirt is by keeping the area around your AC clear of dirt and debris.
- If you have plants or shrubs around the unit, make sure they are cut back at least two feet from the AC.
- Don’t plant trees such as cottonwood close to your AC unit. These are notorious for clogging up systems.
- When mowing your lawn, make sure that grass isn’t blown into the housing.
- If there is an area of loose sand or dirt around the unit, plant grass or another form of ground cover instead.
- Don’t put a cover on your AC. This will restrict airflow around the unit.
If you have any questions about how you can keep your air conditioner running efficiently all summer long, please contact Dan at 720.876.7166 or [email protected].
