RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — There are things we can all do at home right now to keep our air conditioners running smoothly during these hot weather months.
One viewer told ABC11 they recently paid $10,000 to replace a 12-year-old unit that stopped working in this heat.
You might be tempted to turn your thermostat down, but that could mean higher energy bills in the future.
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The American Heart Association urges people with heart disease, stroke survivors, and those over 50 to take extra precautions during heatwaves.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that the “magic number” to save money is to keep your home temperature at 78 degrees whenever you’re in the house.
Duke Energy has other suggestions that may make a big difference: changing your air filters, closing your blinds during the day, and turning on your ceiling fan when you’re in the room. In the summer, make sure your fan rotates counterclockwise.
A much bigger expense would be to repair your entire air conditioning system.
JD Anderson, owner of Fix My AC, said he has received many calls from people wanting them to come out to their homes and replace their systems.
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Beat the summer heat with AccuWeather’s heat-saving hacks.
“Systems that aren’t properly maintained or are just old are starting to show weaknesses and the heat is putting a strain on the system,” Anderson said.
He said outdoor units need to be cleaned annually to operate efficiently during the hot summer months.
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