How to Stay Cool and be Energy Efficient during Summer

You can reduce the burden on your hardworking refrigerator/freezer/AC units and lower your energy costs by following a few simple maintenance steps:

Refrigerator/Freezer

1. First and foremost, vacuum the condenser coil typically located on the back or bottom of the unit (note: some higher end units have the condenser coil located internally to prevent dust/lint build up… you do not need to clean internal condenser coils) to remove dust and pet hair.  This is a very important step as it’s imperative that air flow freely past the condenser coils to efficiently remove heat from the coil and allow the unit to cool efficiently.
2. Check the seals/gasket around the refrigerator/freezer doors to be sure they seal properly against the frame. Replace the seals if they are torn or cracked.
3. Clean the seal/gasket and the frame with warm soapy water to remove dirt/food spills and to prevent the door from sticking to the frame when opened (sticking may cause premature cracking of the seal).

A couple of helpful YouTube videos:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVso8_qatbI&feature=fvsr
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ7ykYOHmME&feature=related

AC Units

1. First and foremost, make sure there are no bushes, trees, shrubs or plants blocking air flow around your AC Unit.  You should trim any vegetation so that you have adequate air space (about 2 feet is ideal) around your AC Unit.  You should also remove dried up leaves and seed packets from the ground around your unit.
2. Use a garden hose (make sure the power to the unit is off… see YouTube video clips) to wash down the unit and remove dust, dirt and other elements form mother nature (cotton wood… those fuzzy white things you see flying around in late Spring) can severely block the air flow when it sticks to the condenser coil.  This is a very important step as it’s imperative that air flow freely past the condenser coils to efficiently extract the heat from the coil and ultimately cool your home.
3. Change the filter in your Central Heating/AC Unit (ideally once per month if you have furry pets or about every 2 to 3 months in a pet free home).

A couple of helpful YouTube videos:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1_Qp0KY4o4&feature=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eMskzbmsgo&feature=related

Article submitted by Jim Bendewald – ServiceLive Business Services