Why my air conditioner stopped working

October 6th, 2007

A few days ago my AC stopped cooling. There was a lot of water in the pan under it. So, I called my apartment maintenance folks since it’s still hot where I live.

I was expecting a system failure of some sort. But what happened was a communications failure. My air filter had not been changed in so long it made the AC stop working. That’s gross my friends.

It’s gross for my lungs, but it’s also gross for the environment. Changing air filters in your heating and cooling systems on a regular basis can reduce CO2 emissions by two percent. I know that’s not a lot, but it adds up. Not changing your filter at all can obviously be bad!

I lived in a different apartment complex before we bought our first house. They regularly sent out notices about when they would be coming by to change the air filters. It didn’t occur to me that I haven’t gotten any notice like that in these apartments and I’ve been here almost a year.

If you live in an apartment, be sure to ask about their air filter changing policy. Most apartments change them for you, but don’t assume they do this while you’re at work.

Filed under Green Choices | Comments (2)

2 Responses to “Why my air conditioner stopped working”

  1. Virginia Lee on October 6, 2007 5:57 pm

    We actually purchase and replace our own filters because we get the superduper anti-allergen kind. I tell you, our apartment stays cleaner and has better air quality than any other apartment I’ve been in around here.

    And also, ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Child, you need to check that AC for mold and crud too. Seriously!

  2. chocmoon on October 6, 2007 10:22 pm

    Virginia, how often do you change your filter?

    I’m now suspecting my apt of not cleaning out the dryer vents leading outside. I’m having a problem with clothes drying. That will be the subject of several posts to come — my dryer efficiency project.

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