Baton Rouge, LA May 27, 2010 – It is getting hot, but the dog days of summer are still a few weeks away. To make it through another Baton Rouge heat wave, you must keep that air conditioner running efficiently.
That’s a very good reason for an AC system spring cleaning and annual air conditioning checkup. This can keep your energy bill down and save you lots of money in the long run.
Your air conditioner might have already started running extensively. The hot Louisiana weather sends most air condition systems into overdrive.
“Many people don’t realize that the average air conditioner in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, because of the hot weather and high humidity, runs somewhere around 2,500 to 2,700 hours a year,” said indoor comfort specialist Deann Clementson, of Able Heating and Air Conditioning.
That equals more than 100 days of continuous use, which is reason enough to make sure your system is running well before you really need it.
You might already know you should change the inside filters every 30 days, but homeowners can also use a water hose to keep the coils clean on their AC unit outside.
“You have to kill the power to the unit first, and then just wash the coil out. If you have grass in the coil or dirt around there, it’s a problem,” said Clementson.
AC repairmen say that at least once a year, you should gently spray water into the coils of the AC Unit to keep the system free of debris. Beyond that, a technician can make sure your system has enough Freon to keep it running smoothly. Having someone look at your AC system now is essential and can also save you money in a couple of ways.
“When you have a dirty coil, it brings up the amp draw of the compressor. When the compressor comes on, your bill will go up right along with it,” said the head technician from Able Heating and Air Conditioning.
AC repairmen say an annual cleaning keeps systems from developing bigger problems when it gets really hot.
“If you make the small effort to take care of things now, you are a step ahead of the game. You will not be wearing out your unit because, if you are low on Freon, that is really not the best thing for an air conditioner with the temperature rising,” said Clementson.
Ok, so the answer to the big question? A spring cleaning call should cost between $85 and $100.
