Dreaming of the hazy days of summer, where it’s all about vacation and leisure time? When you are done having fun outside, there is nothing better than being able to retreat to your cool home to refresh.

However, if you don’t take steps to prepare your A/C unit for the coming season, you won’t necessarily be able to rely on having it working when you need it most.

Here are some of our expert tips on how you can avoid this inconvenience this summer.

Set Your Thermostat Properly

You might be inclined to drop the thermostat way down to get cool, but that is going to make your unit work far harder than it should, which is going to increase your energy bills. Ideally, set it to 78°F.

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, it is a wise energy-efficient investment, especially if you travel often or are out of your home for long periods.

It's convenient because you don’t have to wait for your home to cool down on your return, you adjust your energy needs around your schedule.

That’s how you save the most money.

Zone cooling is a smart move too, letting you control where you need more cool air in your home.

Time for Service

Every spring, you should schedule annual maintenance.

There are many benefits. For one thing, you’ll have peace of mind that your unit will work just when you need it the most.

During the inspection, the technician will identify any areas needing repair before they break down. Service also helps your system to work as energy-efficient as possible.

There are even more cost savings because annual maintenance can extend the life of your A/C. And even if you are a seasoned DIY expert, doing A/C maintenance is a technical job that is best left to the pros.

Is It Replacement Time?

As your air conditioner ages, its systems will deteriorate, meaning that at some point, you need to replace it.

If you’ve had your unit for 10 years or more, that length of time alone may suggest that you need a new one.

It can be well worth your while to replace it, as there has been plenty of advances in energy efficiency over the last few years, which means that there are greater cost savings available.

In addition to age, some common signs that your unit is on its way out include:

  • Rattling noises
  • Pooling water or leaks
  • Lack of cool air
  • High energy bills
  • Bad smells coming from the unit