There's nothing better than coming inside your house on a hot, humid day to nice chilled air. Air conditioning has become a necessity rather than a luxury, and it quickly gets miserable when your AC doesn't cool your house like it should. Here are some things that will help your AC keep you cool.

Get Regular Maintenance

One of the most important things you can do for your air conditioner is to have regular service calls. If your AC is idle for several months at a time, you can't expect it to spring into action as soon as the hot summer weather rolls in. The outdoor unit could be blocked with leaves and twigs. It might even have damage from mice. Therefore, you should have your air conditioner tuned up every spring so it is ready for the long, hot summer months ahead. When a contractor services your AC, he or she cleans and lubricates it and replaces worn parts. When your AC runs like it should, your home will become a cool oasis again.

Keep Filter Clean

It's easy to forget changing the filter, but if you don't, your air conditioner won't work as well. If the filter is blocked with dust and debris, your AC has to struggle to pull air through it. It may pull air around it and cause whistling noises. It may put out a reduced air flow, so your house isn't able to cool off. When it's hot and your air conditioner runs all day, you should plan on changing the filter about once a month or so. Some premium filters may last longer than that, but it's a good idea to at least check your filter every few weeks. Just pull it out and hold it up to the light. If it is clogged with dust, it's time to throw it out and put in a new one.

Don't Block Air Intake

You should give your air conditioner plenty of space so it can pull in air freely. That means you don't want to throw towels over the outdoor unit or prop lawn chairs against it. Keep the grass mowed and don't place plants too close to the fins. You should also check the fins to make sure they aren't packed with leaves and twigs. Buy a fin comb at the hardware store and use it to clean out debris and straighten any bent fins that block air flow.

Don't Put Off Repairs

If you don't think your air conditioner is working as well as it should, you should call for repairs as soon as you can rather than adjusting to the warmer temperatures. If your air conditioner is working at least a little, it's easy to put up with it and avoid calling out an HVAC contractor.

However, running an AC when it isn't functioning properly can cause more costly damage to occur. You may have trouble with the electrical or mechanical parts of the unit. The AC could be low on refrigerant. The problem might be in your thermostat or you could have a leak in your ducts. You won't know until you have your system inspected by a professional such as Atlantic Heating and Cooling.