(1) Check your air filter every 30 to 90 days to make sure it is clean. (If you have animals checking the air filter more often is recommended).

(2) Set the switch on your thermostat for the fan to FAN ON, rather than AUTO. This will run the indoor fan continuously, keeping the air moving constantly keeping you cooler. (The outside A/C unit will still turn on when the temperature drops above where your thermostat is set). You might even discover that you can raise the thermostat a degree or two and still feel comfortable. You will also find the temperature will remain more even between upstairs and downstairs. Because the outside unit will run less often, you will save on your energy bills.

(3) Keep your outside condensing coil clean, if it's dirty, the A/C will run inefficiently. Check the small exposed copper tubing line that connects the inside unit with the outside unit; if the tubing is hot, your coil might need cleaning.

(4) If your condensing coils are clean but the copper tubing connecting the inside and outside units is hot, you may be low on refrigerant. If you are low on refrigerant there is leak in your system that needs to be repaired.

(5) If your upstairs rooms are warmer than your downstairs rooms, cut off some of the vent registers in the cooler rooms. Also make sure that all the register vents in the upstairs rooms are completely open.

(6) Make sure that there is about a 3/4" gap between the bottom of the door and the floor on any closed off rooms. The return air ducts need to pull the warm air from the room.

(7) Rather than turning the A/C off when you leave your house, set the thermostat about 5 degrees higher. Heat will build up in the walls and furniture of your home making it much harder for the A/C to cool the house when you return.

(8) Keeping blinds, curtains and/or window shades drawn and making sure all windows and outside doors are airtight will also save on energy bills. Making sure you have adequate insulation in your attic and installing an attic fan will also help.

(9) Icing of the indoor coil or the large insulated covered copper pipe is usually caused by one of two things: 1) a lack of air flow or 2) a low amount of refrigerant. Change your air filter, clean the indoor evaporator coil and fan blades. Also check that there are no dampers in the ducts restricting airflow. If you are low on refrigerant there is leak in your system that needs to be repaired.

(10) There should be a 15-20 degree difference in temperature between the air at the indoor coil at the air handler and the air at the duct closest to the coil. If the difference is higher than 20 degrees it could mean a lack of airflow or a low refrigerant level. If the difference is less than a 15 degrees, there may be too much air flow, the outside coil is dirty, or the system could be low on refrigerant.

(11) Although covering the outside condensing unit during the off season is a good idea, be sure to use a breathable product. Plastic or an air tight covers can cause the unit to rust.

(12) Plant trees or bushes near the condensing unit to create shade, but prevent plants, grass, weeds and bushes from blocking air flow on the outside unit. A unit that is operating in the shade will use up to 10% less electricity than a comparable unit in the sun.

(13) Keep the outside unit clear from any structures that could cause the warm air discharged from the outside unit to re-circulate back to the unit.

(14) Have your system serviced by a professional annually. A clean, well serviced system will perform cleaner and more efficiently and will save you money on your energy bills.

Following these steps could add years to your air conditioning system and save on your energy bills!