For an air conditioner to function efficiently, filters, coils, and fins should be maintained regularly. Ignoring necessary maintenance means a decline in your air conditioning's performance while energy use shoots up.

Filters

The most essential task that ensures the efficiency of your AC is to replace or clean its filters routinely. Clogged and dirty filters can block the normal flow of your air conditioner, and thus, reduce its efficiency significantly. And because normal airflow is obstructed, the air that passes the air filter may also carry dirt straight into the evaporator coil and eventually affect its capacity to absorb heat. Replacing a dirty and clogged filter with a cleaner one can also help lower your energy use by 5 to 15 percent.

Coils

Your AC's evaporator coil and condenser coil collect dirt during their years of service. Replacing your coil with a new one prevents your evaporator coil from soiling fast. However, in time, the evaporator coil would still be collecting dirt, reducing the airflow and insulating the coil and thus, lessen its capacity to absorb heat. If you want to prevent this problem, inspect your evaporator coil annually and clean it regularly.

Coil Fins

The aluminum fins found on evaporator and condenser coils could be easily bent and block the airflow. But you can buy a tool called "fin comb". This tool combs the fins back to their original condition.

Condensate Drains

If drain channels are clogged, it prevents the unit from reducing humidity. This results to excess moisture and discolored walls or carpet. To prevent this, pass a stiff wire through the drain channels of your AC unit occasionally.

Window Seals

When colder season starts, check the seal between the air conditioner and the window frame to make sure it is still in contact with the metal case. Moisture could damage the seal and therefore allowe air to escape.

Preparing Your AC

During the winter season, try placing a cover on your air conditioner to protect the unit against winter weather and debris. You may also want to remove and store it.

Hiring a Technician

It's also very important to hire a professional whenever your AC needs more than maintenance. Try having it checked to fix problems as early as possible before it snowballs and creates bigger problems in the future.

Choosing a reliable technician is also very important in making sure that your air conditioning system is working effectively and efficiently. Do your research and ask referrals from family, friends, and relatives. You can also visit several websites online and get the services of certified local technicians in your area.