Cool tips for air conditioner care
Whoa, summer temperatures are definitely here. A few simple steps will help keep your air conditioner working at its peak so you can keep cool without sweating too much over your bills.
Consumer Reports recommends washing the filter (dry it thoroughly before using!) of room air conditioners, vacuuming the coils inside and out and checking the seals. They also advise against "short-cycling" --- turning the AC back on within 10 minutes of turning it off.
They recommend calling in professionals for maintaining central AC systems, though.
Also, let's be reasonable with the thermostat ...
... and set it at a summer-time temperature like 78 when you're home, recommends the Financial Planning site at About.com. It's summer, right? There's no reason to chill things down to goose-bump level. Frankly it just makes things seem hotter when you are actually exposed to the unadulterated elements.
If you have a programmable thermostat, or even if you don't, the About.com site recommends setting the house at 85 degrees if you will be away for more than a few hours.
Another inexpensive way to beat the heat is to prevent your home from getting hot in the first place. We told you last summer about blocking the sun with room-darkening shades or curtains or even just straight-up aluminum foil.
Try to avoid baking or running dryers or dishwashers to prevent the introduction of more heat to your space as well.
(photo: nicolaitan/Flickr)
