An air handler is one of your cooling system’s components that can have a big impact on your home’s energy consumption. The harder your air handler has to work, the higher your energy bills will be. So how can you ensure that your air handler continues to run efficiently in your home? Follow the four tips we’ve listed below!
4 ways to improve your air handler’s efficiency
- Change clogged filters. A clogged air filter is probably the most common cause of efficiency problems with air handlers. As dirt builds up on your filter, your air handler has to work harder and harder to provide proper airflow for your home. In addition, dirt particles will bypass a clogged filter and build upon your air handler’s fan blades. This makes it difficult for the blades to rotate and increases your air handler’s energy consumption. Make sure to check the condition of your air filter every month and change it whenever it’s dirty.
- Upgrade your air filtration system. Many filters with high MERV ratings come with a catch: they restrict airflow to your cooling system. This causes the same types of problems that a clogged filter does because your air handler has to work harder to push air through the filter. One solution to this problem is to install a pleated filter. The design of these filters allows them to increase their surface area (to capture more particles) without restricting as much airflow as a flat filter does. An even better solution would be to install an air cleaner. Air cleaners are extremely effective at removing pollutants from your air and don’t put added stress on your air handler.
- Seal leaks in your home. Whether they are somewhere in your ducts or elsewhere around your home, air leaks have a huge impact on your home’s energy consumption. The more air that is allowed to escape, the harder your air handler has to work to make up for it.
- Install a variable speed model. If your air conditioner is 10 years old or older, there’s a good chance that it has a single-speed air handler. As its name suggests, a single-speed air handler only has one speed: high. A variable speed air handler, on the other hand, operates at multiple speeds depending on how much airflow is needed in your home. This allows them to consume less energy because they only work as hard as they need to.
If you have any questions about how to improve the efficiency of your air handler, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing, your St. Charles air conditioner repair company. We service the St. Louis area, including surrounding towns like Ballwin, Chesterfield, and Clarkson Valley.
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