by Francis Jock

Created on: April 21, 2009   Last Updated: April 27, 2012

Outside, temperatures are rising to new records and it's time to turn on the air conditioner. Whether you cool your home with a window air conditioner or a larger air conditioning unit, it is a good idea to perform some basic air conditioner maintenance before turning it on. Here are a few air conditioner maintenance tips to make sure that you enjoy a long, cool summer.

First, if you have a window air conditioner or a mounted "in-the-wall" type air conditioning unit that is more than 5 years old, consider replacing it with a new energy efficient model. Much like your home heating system, air conditioners use a lot of energy and your electricity bill is going to spike during the peak heating season. One way to save a little money is to install a new, energy efficient air conditioner. Over time, the investment in an energy efficient air conditioning unit will save you a lot of money.

Cooling your home efficiently is just the opposite of heating it efficiently. You want to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. So think about ways to keep your home or apartment cool by minimizing the loss of cool air. This is a good idea because you have already paid to cool the air in your home, so why not keep it inside? Look for places where cool air can leak out, such as a heating register, as well as windows and doors. It's easy to cover them with plastic and save money on your electric utility bill.

Next, it is important that your air conditioner be kept free of dust and dirt accumulations that will restrict or block the flow of air through the air conditioning unit. Remove the front panel cover and filter of your window air conditioner and wash them in warm water and a mild detergent. Be sure that they are completely dry before you put them back in place. While they are drying, use your vacuum cleaner to remove anything that shouldn't be inside your unit, such as cobwebs and dust bunnies.

Take a look at the cooling fins located on the outside of the unit. These shouldn't be mashed together, blocking the flow of air across the cooling coil. Use a plastic spatula or other flat plastic utensil to separate the fins if necessary. This might take a little time, but air must flow easily across the cooling fins in order for the air conditioner to function efficiently.

If you have a central air conditioning unit, you should leave repairs to a professional service company. However, basic cleaning and maintenance can be accomplished by anyone. Keep in mind that unusual noises,

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