ARI Celebrates Air Conditioning Appreciation Days
 

To keep cool this summer:

Clean and replace the air conditioner's filter frequently (monthly during heavy use).
Central air conditioners and heat pumps should have annual, equipment inspections by a North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certified technician who will check refrigerant fluid and mechanical operations.
Consider a programmable thermostat to automatically increase or decrease temperatures during the day or night to suit a family's lifestyle and reduce energy cost.
Raise the thermostat setting as much as you can without sacrificing comfort. For every degree you raise the setting, you can expect to cut your energy consumption by up to 3 to 5 percent.
Use shades, blinds, or curtains to keep sunlight out of the house.
Keep windows and doors closed when the air conditioner is running.
Keep fallen leaves, grass clippings, foliage and other dirt and debris away from your outdoor unit. And keep the conditioner's coils clean, following manufacturers?instructions.
Don't block vents or ducts inside the house to assure air flow in the home.
Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors (especially the attic) to close air gaps.
Run fans to keep air moving.
Avoid using the oven during the day.
Run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the evening, when electricity rates may be lower and heat from those appliances won't increase the demands on your air conditioner.
Turn off lamps, TV and other appliances when not in use.

ARI has a useful consumer brochure that answers to 42 questions asked about central indoor comfort systems at www.ari.org. Send a self-addressed, stamped business envelope to ARI, 4100 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 200, Arlington, Va. 22203, and ARI will send you the brochure, "How to Keep Your Cool and Save Cold Cash," free of charge.

The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute is the trade association representing manufacturers of more than 90 percent of North American produced central air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment.