[Gerald]

Another thing to help your A/C unit run more efficiently is to keep the outside unit "fins" clean. Any dirt buildup acts like insulation and does not cool the hot compressed freon as good as it should. This causes the compressor to run longer to do the same cooling.

Caution.....DO NOT USE A STRONG JET OF WATER FROM THE HOSE.

The fins on the cooling coils are very thin and can be damaged [bent over] and this will block air flow and you loose efficiency. Always direct the water "straight on" at the cooling coils.....NEVER AT AN ANGLE. This is what will cause the fins to be bent.

If you have a sprayer.....spray down the unit with soap & water solution and let it soak for a few minutes. Do not use any cleaning chemicals that contain high amounts of "caustic"......this can damage the aluminum fins.

Condensing coils.......These also need to be cleaned once or twice a year using a vacum cleaner. When you next change out your A/C filter, look at the cooling coils to see if they need cleaning. If your A/C filter is in the ceiling, get a ladder and climb up so that your head is up inside the duct. Any dirt buildup on the coil blocks the air flow and your are not getting good cooling from the A/C and it is costing you more money to cool your house. Again.....be carful not to damage the cooling fins.

While checking this coil......make sure the coil is installed properly. Make sure that the coil in mounted up tight to the duct. If there is a gap....even a small gap, this allows some air to flow around the "cooling coil" and you are loosing more cooling and money. See picture. My finger is sticking in a gap I found about a month after a new coil was installed. The coil is to the right side in the picture. I called the repair people to come back and fix the problem. After this was fixed....we could feel a difference in that the air blowing out was colder and the house was cooling faster. This was at the end of May '08.

Are you "cooling your attic" with cold air from the A/C unit? In your attic there is a large "duct box" where all the individual air ducks connect to it. These connections are taped up to seal off air leakage [into your attic]. Over time, this tape can come loose and start leaking out your cold air. Get a roll of gray duct tape and fix any leaks.