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Be cool, stay cool: check air conditioner for trouble spotsRecent heat waves prompt praise for air conditioning, yet, given some recent brisk mornings and cooler than normal temperatures during late spring, homeowners may have overlooked--or put off--arranging for a seasonal service call on their air conditioner. "It's not too late," said Bruce Snead, a Kansas State University Research and Extension residential energy specialist. "When not serviced annually, air conditioning units can lose up to 5 percent of their efficiency," said Snead, who noted that seasonal check-ups also can catch trouble-spots before they become problems. Arranging a service call with a certified heating and cooling technician carries basic charges ($50-$75), but helps to ensure trouble-free service during the cooling season, he said. "Catching and repairing a potential problem or trouble spot in its first stages usually is less expensive than repairing a breakdown, especially when the failure occurs during a weekend or holiday," said Snead, who offered tips to help ensure trouble-free operation of a cooling system: --Shut down a unit and check the filter every 90 days. If dirty, dusty or clogged, remove, wash and allow time for drying a reusable filter or replace it with a new one. When a filter is clogged, a cooling unit will have to work harder to do its job, and that translates into a higher utility bills. --Check the condensate drain, which can become clogged by rust or other debris while removing the condensation (water) from the air during the cooling process, regularly. If clogged, overflow damage to the unit, floors or a ceiling can result. --Keep area around the outdoor fan unit free to facilitate air flow; planting flowers or shrubs close to the unit or to hide it is not recommended. --Follow manufacturer's instructions for removing airborne debris (leaves and such) from fan unit (or ask a professional to do it). When clogged, a fan and/or coil unit will be less efficient--or stop running. --If an air conditioning unit is 10 or more years older, a homeowner may want to consider replacing it. Choosing a newer, more efficient operating system should reduce utility bills and provide trouble-free service. Currently, homeowners also may be eligible for a federal tax credit of as much 30 percent of the replacement cost (up to $1,500) for an energy efficient air conditioning unit. More information on the tax credit is available at www.irs.gov. If replacing an air-conditioning unit, locating the fan unit on the north or east side of the house (or out of the sun during the warmest part of the day) is recommended. Kansans also may want to explore their qualifications for the Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the program will expand funds available to low-income families to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce utility bills. More information on the funding program is available at www.kshousingcorp.org. Click on "Weatherization." In addition, ARRA funds will be used to create a revolving loan fund for energy efficiency, with a proposed starting date in July 2009. Current information on these and other energy efficiency opportunities for Kansans is available at: www.kcc.state.ks.us/energy/arra.htm.
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