Your Air Conditioning System Can Last up to 15 Years With Proper Care

Follow These Tips and Increase the Return on Your Investment

• Change the filter in your air conditioner every month and help maximize the life of your home comfort system. Accumulated dust and particles block the airflow, reducing efficiency and increasing the cost of operating the unit.

• Best time to service an air conditioner is before you really need it. Maintenance helps to catch minor problems before they become major issues, saving you money in the long run.

• For proper airflow, make sure your outside condensing unit is free of plants and foliage (typically six to twelve inches or more of "breathing room"). Sand and plant debris can get sucked into the coils and will cause the unit to run inefficiently.

• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you're home for maximum efficiency. While this may seem warm, with a properly sized and installed system the humidity inside your home will be regulated at this temperature.

• Abruptly lowering the thermostat will not cool your home any faster than setting it to an intermediate, comfortable temperature.  By doing so you cause the system to work harder to achieve the cooler temperature, which costs you more in energy consumption.

• Install a ceiling fan.  Moving air can feel as much as 4 degrees cooler than still air, so your thermostat can be set higher.  A reversible fan can circulate cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter for even more efficiency.

• Before the warmer seasons, turn your air conditioner on to make sure it is working properly. If there is a problem, you won't have to suffer through a sweltering day to have it repaired!

• Remove anything on top of your outside condensing unit (this may include hoses, plants and other common outdoor items). These items may block airflow and cause problems.

• If your air conditioner is not cooling properly, try resetting the circuit breakers and checking that power is running to the unit.

If your air conditioning is malfunctioning, leave troubleshooting and repairs to a trained professional. Since your system has electrical and mechanical components, you may do more harm than good by investigating the matter yourself.  We are available for service 24 hours a day.

Florida Power & Light Offers These Tips To Reduce Your Energy Bills

• In most Florida homes, air conditioning accounts for 40-50% or more of the annual electric bill. So, this is the best place to start controlling your own energy consumption.

• Cool your home only when you're there. When you leave for the day, move the thermostat up to 82 and turn it back down to 78 when you come back. It costs a lot less to bring the temperature down to 78 than it does to keep it at 78 all day.

• Install a programmable thermostat to automatically regulate temperature up and down, so your home will be nice and cool whenever you're there ... and you won't be wasting money when you're not.

• Turn ceiling fans off when no one is in the room. Try setting your thermostat a few degrees higher and use your ceiling fan to keep you cool while you are in the room. A fan that runs constantly can cost up to $7 a month, depending on age and size.

• Maintain proper airflow through your system. Keep the interior doors and vents open to help your A/C circulate air more efficiently.

• Keep sunlight out during summer months. If you have a lot of windows, you'll save on air conditioning if you keep the drapes or blinds closed when you're not home.

• Check your ducts and seals for leaks. If they're not tight, you're wasting money.

• Consider buying a new A/C system. The older your air conditioner is, the less efficient it is. And if it's 10 years old or more, it has to work much harder to cool the same area compared to a new unit. FPL offers rebates to help you buy a more efficient air conditioning system, ask us for more information on this and other rebates.