Avoid These Common Air Conditioning Problems This Summer

In the heart of the sunny South, Columbia's hot climate offers many challenges to keeping your house cool.  When your air conditioner is not running at optimal efficiency, cooling demands increase... and so do your electric bills.  Fortunately, there are steps you can take to maximize the performance of your air conditioning unit and lower your bills.

Four common air conditioning problems and how to avoid them are:

1.   Dirty condenser coils.  The outside condenser becomes easily clogged with dirt, pollen and debris.  Simply brushing or vacuuming this accumulation off the outside of the coils and rinsing the coils with water can improve your unit's efficiency.  (Check to see if you can use a foaming coil cleaner on your unit for even better cleaning.)

2.   Dirty air filters.  Air filters need to be cleaned or changed monthly, depending on the demands of your system.  If your filter is disposable, remove it and replace with a new one.  If your filter is permanent, remove the filter, vacuum it to remove dust and lint, and then rinse with your garden hose.  Lay it outside in the sun to dry before replacing it inside your unit.

3.   Obstructed airflow around the condenser.  One of the simplest tasks a homeowner can do to boost his or her air conditioner's efficiency is to clear obstructions around the outside condenser.  Many homeowners don't realize that overgrown shrubs restrict the airflow around a condenser, making it work harder.  Prune shrubs, remove debris and clear around the condenser.

4.   Failure to schedule a seasonal maintenance check.  Perhaps the most-overlooked task is failing to have an HVAC professional perform a routine check on your air conditioning system.  This can diagnose potential problems or simply help to maintain your air conditioning unit for maximum productivity.


The team of experts at Comfort Services will be happy to answer all of your questions and offer our expert advice for your home's cooling needs.  We'll help keep you cool and comfortable this summer.