Three of the most important things a homeowner can do to keep their air conditioning unit running smooth and efficiently is keep their filters clean and use a good filter.
You don't have to spend a fortune on filters but there are pleated filters that catch 30%-40% of dust particles efficiently for about $6.
00 each.
While they cost more than the old fiber glass filters (5%-7% efficient) they are worth the money.
You save on costly equipment repairs and the inconvenience of being without air conditioning.
Pleated filters also last 2-3 times longer than a standard filter.
For even better filtration you may want to consider a "whole house filter".
These filters are 5-6 inches thick and only need to be replaced about once a year at a cost of about $50.
00.
Another great tip is to rinse your outdoor (condenser) coil out in the spring and another time in the middle of the summer.
Dirt and debris accumulates on the fins of these coils and doesn't let the coils transfer heat effectively.
This in turn lowers the cooling capacity and robs your unit of efficiency.
Always turn your breaker off and do not let water get into electrical components when rinsing your coils.
These coils are better cleaned from the inside out but cleaning from the outside still greatly improves efficiency.
If you don't want to clean your own coils I would recommend a pre-season inspection and tune-up to keep your unit running smooth and efficiently all summer long.
These tune-ups usually cost $49.
00-$99.
00 but will pay for themselves over the operating season.