Can a Faulty Air Conditioner Cause a Spike in Energy Costs?

Filter Issues

• If you run your central air conditioning unit without a filter for even a short amount of time, you can substantially decrease the energy efficiency of your unit. As air is taken into the air handler to be cooled, the refrigerant coils that cool the air become clogged with dust and hair. This clogging can substantially decrease the unit's ability to cool the air, and even a unit with a properly installed filter will need cleaning from time to time. At the same time, running a unit with a filter that needs changing can reduce efficiency by decreasing the amount of air the air handler has access to and clogging up the intake. This forces the unit to run longer and thereby increases energy usage.

Duct Leaks

• A few punctures and cuts in your duct work can substantially decrease the efficiency of your air conditioner by dumping cold air wastefully into your attic. If one or more of your ducts are fully removed from their registers, or there are a large number of leaks, you can see a drastic increase in your energy costs. Monitor your air conditioner's cycling, and make sure it is turning off regularly.

Coolant Issues

• If you have a coolant leak in your unit, you can see an increase in your energy costs. If there is less coolant in the system, the unit has to run all of its component parts that much longer in order to cool the interior air. Compressors, air handlers and fans are all running longer than they would in a properly functioning system. Contact a licensed service center and have your coolant levels checked and, if need be, your system recharged.

Condenser Problems

• The part of a central air conditioner that is outside the house is called the condenser. This device acts like a radiator, taking heat from inside the home and dissipating it outside. If the coils, fan or grills become dirty, damaged or clogged, the unit cannot run efficiently and will use more electricity. Make sure your unit is not clogged with debris, such as leaves and pine straw, and keep the area around the unit free from obstruction, including decorative fencing and hedges.