4 tips to save your home's A/C

It's June, which means conditioners will be running hard the next 3 months.

But there are three things you can do to give it a hand.

With 90 degree heat on the way, fans and air conditioners will be running full tilt.

But an older unit will be taxed, and could work too hard, causing premature compressor failure. This happens when the coolant level is too low, and the compressor runs and runs for hours nonstop.

What you can do

So the US Department of Energy offers tips to help it keep your home cool, and not tax your air conditioner.

1.  Thermostat: Turn up your thermostat to 78, or if it's already 78, up to 80.  80 will feel cool when it is 98 outside.

2 .Cooking/drying:  Do not run your clothes dryer until after 7 p.m., and don't use your oven at all.

The less hot food you have to cook on the stove, the better.

3. Doors and windows:  Close the bathroom window that you always leave open.  Pull closed all drapes and blinds that are hit by sun. 

And if your basement is cool, leave the door to it open to get a little of that cool air mixed into your home (a small fan can push it up the stairs).

4. Change Your A/C Filter

Finally, if you can't remember the last time you changed your air conditioner's filter, do it now: A dust-filled filter makes it work much harder.

Just a few simple things so you don't have to call the overbooked the a/c repairman, and so you don't waste your money.
    
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