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Energy Saver: Air Conditioning
(continued ...) cottonwood tree seeds, dandelion seeds, tree leaves and just about anything else that you can possibly imagine. Over time, this insulates the coil and less heat is transferred. Once again the system must run longer and longer to satisfy the call for cooling. Energy waste propagates. The condenser coil needs cleaned at least every spring.
How does one clean the condenser coil? Well this is something between easy and difficult with results between mediocre and thorough. But it is certainly within the ability of most DIYers. The first step in any maintenance operation is to disconnect power.
Think safety, safety and then safety. If you are not sure, do not proceed.
There may be multiple sources feeding electricity to your outdoor unit. There is usually the compressor and condenser fan power with a local disconnect. Then there is control power from your thermostat. Find the breaker panel (or fuse box) in your house and shut off the A/C breaker (or remove the fuse). Most all residential air conditioners require 240 volts which in the US is two phases. In other countries, there may be many variations. If the breakers or fuses are not labeled, you should hire a licensed electrician to label them for you before proceeding. Have her show you how to isolate the electricity from the condenser unit. These may be single breakers that are mechanically linked together or simply a single unit that is double the width of single phase breakers. Outside at the condensing unit, there should be a disconnect switch mounted to the wall (its required by law). Shut it off too. At your thermostat, find the off position and switch it to off. It there is no ...