Air conditioning is very important, especially in the hot summer months. It is important to evaluate your air conditioning system in the spring time to make sure it is ready to perform once the temperatures become too hot to bear. To evaluate your system, there are a few tips that homeowners can follow to make sure that their system is running at top performance.
Before starting the evaluation, there are two things you can do. First off, replace your air filter if needed. a dirty air filter will restrict the air flow in your home which will make your system work at a lower efficiency. Next make sure the filter port has an air tight cover. This would an option if your air filter slides into the air handler housing. This is important because if the air handler is not tight you can lose large percentage of your energy efficiency.
Now it’s time to evaluate your system. Turn your air conditioner on for at least twenty minutes so it is producing very cold air. Then turn the thermostat down to around sixty degrees so the unit will run without stopping. While this is taking place, you will be ready to start your evaluation.
To do the evaluation, you will need an air-speed and temperature gauge. These are not very expensive and can help you with basis troubleshooting for your air conditioner. Take your gauge and measure the air speed as well as the temperature from each of your air vents. To do this, place the gauge on each register. You want to see a consistent number for each register.
You will also need to measure the temperature for the air going into your system. For central air returns, you will simply need to get a general temperature which needs to be around seventy degrees. The air coming out of your system needs to be about twenty degrees lower than the temperature going into the system.
Take the time to feel the air coming out of each vent. The air should be coming out nicely and should feel the same at each register. If the air feels different in one area then you may have a duct problem. The duct work in this area will need to be checked. You should also take note if any of the rooms are less cool than others. this could be a number of problems and you may need to have a specialist come out and evaluate the problem.
