Friday, July 01, 2005

Cooling down your air conditioning bill

Many people see their monthly electric bill double or even triple when the hot weather months arrive and they crank up the air conditioning.

You could be wasting power and money if your home's cooling system isn't working as efficiently as it could be.

The Alliance to Save Energy says your air conditioner needs regular tune-ups, just like your car. Call in a professional to make sure everything is working well, so the system doesn't strain and use more energy than necessary.

Don't forget to check your filter, or filters. The alliance says if they're dirty, clean them -- if they're the type that gets cleaned -- or replace them. Clogged filters can make the system work harder and not provide the cooling that you really want.

Finally, if your air conditioner is more than a dozen years old, consider replacing it with a new, more energy efficient model.

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