Did you know that there is a relatively inexpensive thing that you can do that will save you money in the long run, and also help keep you healthier? And, it’s something that is quite easy too! What is this miracle solution?
Keep your air conditioning Units Clean!
That’s right, the simple act of cleaning your aircon will save you money. How? Well, when the unit is all built up with dirt, it doesn’t run efficiently! It has to work harder to keep the room cool. In addition, even though it is working harder, usually it is not even able to keep the room as cool as it would when it was clean!
How does this affect your health? Well, when the aircon is dirty, it is spewing out air that is dirty into the room, and you are breathing this air. Not only is there dirt in the air, but there are germs that can lead to plenty of health problems. Imagine, the moisture in the aircon unit interacts with the dirt that builds up and the result is mildew and other types of growths. I have been told that a dirty aircon can lead to plenty of respiratory problems, even up to pneumonia!
We have three rooms with aircon units. Each unit can be set on the thermostat between 16 and 25 celcius. When the unit is dirty, even if it is set at 16 the room just doesn’t get cool. When it is clean, even with the unit set at about 23 it can just about chase you out of the room with that crisp cool air.
This morning we had our 3 aircon units cleaned. It is only about P300 per unit to have them cleaned. The savings from having the unit run more efficiently will probably cover most of that cost too!
It is recommended that you have your aircon unit cleaned about once every 3 months. I do it about once per month, and I consider that well worthwhile!
As it turns out I am having mine done today. It's the same P300 here in Dum. Amazing how quickly they get dirty.
Great suggestion Bob. The same can be said for car filters-save money and run more efficiently. With the dollar coming down some of these tips can make the difference can make 43 pesos to the USD feel like maybe 46 pesos to the USD. I wonder what other things people are or could be doing to make their money stretch right now. Good thoughts. Ron
In 1976, there was a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. A lot of people got ill, developed classic pneumonia and some died due to respiratory failure. The disease was termed Legionnaires' Disease and is pretty common in the U.S. and no doubt all over the world.
Epidemiologists traced a new bacteria, they called subsequently as Legionella pneumophilia. They spread throug vapor droplets.
The American Legion convention epidemic was traced to dirty air conditioning units at the convention center…common findings: little pools of water(excellent media for bacteria growth) around the units.
So I agree. Be careful entering places that have airconditioning systems if you are not sure of how they are being maintained.
Making sure that water around the condensers are well-drained virtually eliminate this problem.
Hi Corey – I sure do consider that price a bargain too! Just the added coldness that I get from my units after a cleaning is well worth the price!
Hi Ron LaFleur – That would be an interesting topic to post about sometime – steps that you can take to stretch your money a bit. I should ask Feyma to write about that, because she knows how to do it!! Me? Probably the number one thing Feyma could do to stretch the budget is to not let me get my hands on the money! 😆
Hi Dr. Long – Oh yes, I had forgotten about the Legion convention back in the 70's. That ties in nicely, thanks for mentioning it.
Nice and interesting and you are right..and also…I belive this applies to your computor and furnace { Oh!..They not have those in the Phillipines 😆 }and other equipment that has fans on it…even sometimes blowing out the dirt or dust on some of those little motors will save you money in the long run…and Yes!! a good woman can stretch your budget a lot and a not so good woman can break your budget fast…hahahah….any way…enjoy reading all these nice posts here and looking at all the pic's..great………..
Hi Bob and to all of you. You are absolutely right. Sometimes we have also four aircons running the same time. Before I let them cleaned every six month. I observed, it's never enough. Good thing is, my brothers-in-law do it, for free. 😆 Anyway, thanks for your interesting and important article.
If you live in especially polluted urban areas (I live in Manila), consider a HEPA air filter, which will catch many very small particles. Also, don't forget air quality while in the car. Tape a 3M Filtrete filter to the AC in your car and be surprised (and shocked) how quickly the filter turns black!
Hi Dan – Thanks for leaving your comment! Yeah, got to get that furnace checked!! 😆 I also go on a campaign of cleaning computers. All of my employees know that they are to open the case and clean out all the dust and lent from their PCs once every 3 months. It not only wasted electricity, I feel that getting the PC case full of dust also can cause the computer to malfunction too.
Hi Klaus – Hey, send your brother in law over here!!! No… just kidding. I know you, and you would probably do that if I asked! So, remember, I am just joking!
Hi chris – Good idea on the AC in the car, I had not even thought about that before!
Hi Bob – as a kid, my bedroom had an AC unit that was always in use. Im sure it was cleaned from time to time but i am pretty sure there were long gaps when the filters were neglected. of course, i could have done it myself, but unfortunately i was used to having the help do this.
anyway, i regularly had nasty migraines in my teens and asthma when i was younger. im pretty sure it was the quality of air i was breathing because i was a boy who was quite active and into sports and the outdoors. i later moved to an guest room in my late teens. away from the carpet and AC and started enjoying sleeping with the fan instead of the AC. somehow, it felt cleaner and breeze soothing. The AC air sometimes has that chilly artificial air that I now have a distaste for …well, sometimes.
aside from cleaning the fliters, it's also good to open the windows to clear out the old air inside the room. just airing out the room with a fresh batch of breathable air can do wonders for you and your family.
Hi Macky – We hire the job done too… that's why it costs P300 per aircon! 😉
Nice tip on the windows too!
Hi Bob…i wouldlike to ask help from you again…this is with regards to paypal…My bf from Florida has sent me $ through paypal..but i dont know where i can take it…themoney is needed badly for a very important expense…if i click the ADD a BANK account…it appears ADD A BANK ACCOUNT IN THE UNITED STATES…but i dont have bank accounts there coz im from Digos City…i have read you site that you have been using paypal…how did you get the money?Can you help me know how can i take the money sent to me…i want it trasfered to my bank account here in the Philippines…can you help me Bob?if you do so,it will be my great happiness..i am willing topay the fees…Thank you so much and i will wait for your reply…
Hi Mary Jane – The best way that you could do that is to open an EON Account through Union Bank. Paypal accepts the EON account as one of the banking options. With the EON account you get a Visa Debit Card, and your Paypal balance can be transferred on to your Visa card. Once you do that, you can then spend the money by using the card, or get the cash from the ATM machine.
Good luck!
Thanks for writing this Bob, now I know why my aircon has not been so "cold" lately, LOL LOL! With mom and dad away have not gotten round to having anyone come and clean aircon.
BTW I had dengue fever and I just got well. DEATH to all mosquitoes!
Mary Jane – you have 2 options US bank account or withdraw to your Visa / Mastercard.
Has your BF ever thought of sending you like a direct deposit to your US$ bank account? You can open US$ bank account for only $500 and the money arrives in like 48 hours or so. BUT he better send large amounts as US bank charges X fee and your bank here will charge another X fee. US checks take 1 month or so to clear, so it's not a great option.
BTW Mary jane – when I say US bank account the option is a bank account in a bank in the USA. As paypal will only let you withdraw funds to US based bank account or to a Visa card.
When I say US$ bank account it's a non paypal option – it's a regular bank account where you save in US$ and RCBC, Chinabank, BPI, etc offer that.
Hi Cheryll Ann – Oh my, sorry to hear about the dengue! I am glad you are feeling better now. Yes, you better get that aircon unit cleaned! It will be much colder, and also healthier!