Tips Today For A Cool Tomorrow (NAPSA)—Taking a few steps now can improve the odds that your air-conditioning system will be able to deal with warm weather heat and humidity. Begin by clearing the area around your outdoor compressor, removing leaves, twigs and other debris that may have accumulated over the winter and providing clear, uncluttered space around and above the unit. Next, check the system’sfilters, typically located along the return duct. Dirty filters can block airflow and reduce system efficiency, so it’s important to clean or replace them regularly, preferably every month. Holes or separated joints in the ductwork can also impact airflow and efficiency, so turn your system on and makesure air is flowing properly through the vents. If you suspect a leak in the ductwork, hire a professional to make the necessary repairs. Use this time to caulk and weather-strip around doors and windows. This often overlooked step will help keep cool air inside your home during warm summer months and warm air outside. It’s also a good idea to add insulation aroundair-conditioning ducts when they are located in unconditioned spaces, such as attics, crawl spaces and garages. Finally, contact a certified technician to do a preseason check of your system. An annual inspection should include cleaning indoor and outdoor coils; checking your system’s refrigerant charge and adjusting it, if necessary, to meet manufacturer specifications; cleaning and If a certified technician says your air-conditioning system needs to be replaced, choose an energyefficient model. adjusting blower components to provide proper system airflow; lubricating all moving parts; inspecting the condensate drain for clogs that can cause water damage, affect indoor humidity levels and breed bacteria and mold; checking thermostat settings and system controls to ensure proper and safe operation; and tightening all electrical connections and measuring voltage and current on motors. To locate a contractor that If you find your air-conditioning unit needs to be replaced, you may want to consider an energyefficient model, such as the Lux- aire Acclimate 18 SEERair condi- tioner, which is ENERGY STAR qualified, uses environmentally friendly refrigerant and features high-efficiency scroll compressors that enhancereliability and contribute to quiet operation. To learn more, visit the Luxaire Web site at www.luxaire.com or call (877) 874-7378.
