People cringe at the though of having to lay out a pile of money for a new central air conditioning system, yet it never ceases to amaze me at how much money people just toss in the trash by not optimizing the way that their current air conditioner runs.  Here are a few simple tips that wont cost much if anything at all to reduce your operating costs and extend the life of your existing unit.  Based on what I’ve seen out there, a typical household can pay for a new system in 5 to 7 years with the money they will save by following these tips.

• Make sure your doors and windows are sealed with caulking and weather stripping.  These things wear out.
• Close the drapes on your windows to block out direct sunlight.
• Use your exhaust vent over the range when cooking to send the hot air out.
• Clean or replace your air filters monthly to insure good air flow through the return duct.
• Whack away weeds, tall grass, hedges and anything else that might obstruct the condenser outside

Following these simple tips will make a huge difference in your electricity bill and extend the life of your AC.