Protect Your Investment: Maintain your air conditioner

Air conditioners can be energy gluttons, but if you keep your air-conditioning in tiptop shape, you can decrease how much energy your cooling system uses this summer and maximize its efficiency. Consider that a dirty, clogged filter reduces airflow, can lead to operational problems like coil freeze-up, and in general makes your system work harder.

Best of all, the work is easy and won’t cause you to break a sweat.

Installation steps
• Vacuum any debris from the indoor and outdoor coils with an upholstery-brush attachment before you install your room air conditioner. Take care not to damage or deform the soft fins.
• Seal the perimeter of the installed unit with new weatherstripping, if needed.

Monthly jobs during cooling season
• Take out the filter and vacuum off debris. Wash it in warm, soapy water. Rinse the filter let it dry completely, then reinstall. If the filter is very dirty or your usage increases significantly, clean the filter more often.
• If dirt and debris have bypassed the filter, you will need to remove the front panel and vacuum dust and debris from the coils.
• Replace a deteriorated filter.

Tips for a central-air unit
• Call in your service contractor if you haven’t already. The pro should change all filters; clean and flush the coils, drain pan, and drainage system; and vacuum the blower compartments. Additionally, the service contractor should ensure that the system is properly charged with refrigerant, that there are no leaks, and that all mechanical components are working properly. Our experts also recommend that you:
• Clean or replace the filters monthly or as needed. Also clean the grilles.
• Clear debris and dirt from the outdoor condenser coils. And keep vegetation at least two feet away from the unit.
• Check if there’s a blockage in the pipe that drains condensed water from the indoor unit.

At the end of the cooling season, follow the expert advice in this Q&A from the Home & Garden blog.— Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Read our latest report on air conditioners, including Ratings of dozens of models (available to subscribers). Also find out how to use less air conditioning this summer and read our review of ceiling fans. And use our Home Improvement Guide interactive to take a room-by-room tour of the top-rated appliances and most cost-effective improvements you can make to your home.

Comments

[TBoss]

This is great information but I was also hoping to find out information on portable A/C units. I have a small home office and I can't put in a window AC unit. Has CR done any reviews on these types of units?

thanks,

[jt]

Costco is big on portable ac. Delonghi is almost twice the price as the Chinese ones. Is there more than style going for the Italian models? Can you review?

[Dianne Davis]

I sure wish CR would review central A/C systems. Here in Texas, almost no one uses mere window units. Central air is not a convenience or a mere option here on the Gulf Coast, it's a matter of life or death. Please review central A/C compressors!

[stan levy]

I agree with the notion that CU does a disservice to its subscribers by not reviewing central air systems. Granted that the window units are widely used but in some parts of the country, like central Illinois, it's central air in most homes.

Beats me why there has been no effort to evaluate central air conditioners.

[jennifer]

Before I spend thousands on a new central air conditioner, I too wish I could rely on CU to give me some reviews. We also live in Illinois.

[Janae]

We're really considering changing out our central A/C unit -- this one is decades old. I am devastated that CR hasn't done a review of central air conditioning units.

[Randall Snyder]

Believe it or not Canadians use central air also. My search for a
quality replacement unit should have ended right here.

[robert]

i thought i could count on c.u. but when it comes to central a.c. ,nothing.how mickey mouse can you be or do you have youre head in the alaskian snow.guess you dont know many how homes have central a.c. in this country! thanx for nothing. ill cancel my sub.

[Marie]

Can someone from CR comment on the status of a future central air review?

[Mark]

Shame on CU for omitting a review of central air conditioners. I'll be cancelling my sub.

[Harv]

I concur with Marie's post: "Can someone from CR comment on the status of a future central air review?" which was posted on the 20th of August. As of this post no reply from CU. NOW this is a shame!!!!!

[Alesa]

Yeah, WHAT IS UP with no reviews of central air units? I joined CU specifically for reviews on Trane, Carrier, Rheem, etc. so I can get a new system. Glad I only bought the monthly subscription. What a waste of $5.95. I guess this just proves that the buyer should beware, even when we're dealing with CU.

[tripp]

I am amazed that CU has no review on central ac units...very few people in the warmer regions of the country rely on window units. What is CU's plan on this subject?

[Denise Ellingson]

I, too, am very surprised that CU has not tested and reported on the various brands of central air conditioning and heat pump units that are available. These are major home investments and objective comparisons would be very much appreciated. Of course, each company claims their product is the best - it would be nice to know what one truly is!

[Denise Ellingson]

I, too, am very surprised that CU has not tested and reported on the various brands of central air conditioning and heat pump units that are available. These are major home investments and objective comparisons would be very much appreciated. Of course, each company claims their product is the best - it would be nice to know what one truly is!

[Denise Ellingson]

I, too, am very surprised that CU has not tested and reported on the various brands of central air conditioning and heat pump units that are available. These are major home investments and objective comparisons would be very much appreciated. Of course, each company claims their product is the best - it would be nice to know what one truly is!

[Denise Ellingson]

I, too, am very surprised that CU has not tested and reported on the various brands of central air conditioning and heat pump units that are available. These are major home investments and objective comparisons would be very much appreciated. Of course, each company claims their product is the best - it would be nice to know what one truly is!

[Denise Ellingson]

I, too, am very surprised that CU has not tested and reported on the various brands of central air conditioning and heat pump units that are available. These are major home investments and objective comparisons would be very much appreciated. Of course, each company claims their product is the best - it would be nice to know what one truly is!

[Denise Ellingson]

I, too, am very surprised that CU has not tested and reported on the various brands of central air conditioning and heat pump units that are available. These are major home investments and objective comparisons would be very much appreciated. Of course, each company claims their product is the best - it would be nice to know what one truly is!

[Denise]

I, too, am very surprised that CU has not tested or reported on various brands of central air conditioners and heat pumps. This is a major home investment. Of course, every company claims that their product is the best - it would be nice to have objective testing done to know the truth! I joined the online service in addition to the magazine in order to have the latest results when I needed them - unfortunately, I didn't have any luck in this important product search.

[John F Hall]

I too am dissapointed in not being able to rely on Consumer Reports for what is shaping up to be a $12,000 investment. Maybe the thing for us to do is to start our own thread on the CR page. We rejected the Carrier and Trane contractors because of price and because one such seems to be all talk and no delivery. We are now looking at American Standard (which supposedly comes off the same assembly line as Trane) and Bryant, which supposedly comes off the same assembly line as Carrier. A two-speed compressor seems like a good idea so far as the cost of electricity, but is not available unless you go up to 15 SEER and only if you purchase a 4 BTU ton unit. (The calculations for our small house seem to indicate that a 3.5 ton BTR unit would be adequate.) That adds $3,000. Lots of variables and only the contractor for guidance.

Please write to me at johnfhall@verizon.net

[Air-Tro, Inc.]

The reason Consumer Reports does not rate central heating and air systems is because it is not the equipment that matters as much as it is the Company that installs it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Most Manufacturers use the same components. Our Comapny sells all makes and models and is factory trained in them all.

[c murphey]

A central HVAC system os one of the most costly and important choices that a consumer needs to make. I cannot believe that there is not a way for Consumer Reports to do a comprehensive study and report on the various makers and their varied brands. In addition, since the duct work is a component that should be properly matched, why not have the rated brands advise the best ductwork to go with the system and test the two parts together in the same square footage and configuration. I realize it is a more complicated set-up to test; but, reliable info on the subject is lacking for the consumer to make an informed choice.