Air conditioners and heat pumps are just like your car when it comes to maintenance. Both operate more efficiently and last longer if they receive scheduled care and attention. And since your cooling system makes up half of your home's utility bills, it makes sense to treat it with care. If you are a Club Member, you've already taken a step in the right direction, but there are a few other things you can do in between service calls to help your AC unit do it's best:

- Clean or replace the filter once a month. As your air conditioner circulates the air in your home, dust and dirt particles collect on the filter located in the indoor unit or in the ducts. Excessive build-up forces the system to run longer and work harder to cool your home.

- Keep the outdoor unit free from debris. Air conditioners and heat pumps need a free flow of air over the coils. Leaves, dirt, newspapers and anything else that might block the airflow should be removed. Never stack anything against the side of your unit or drape anything over it. If you are disguising it with landscaping or shrubs, keep them trimmed back so they won't block the air.

- Leave your thermostat at one setting. Constant up and down adjustments make your system work harder and cost you energy dollars. The optimum setting between comfort and cost is 78 degrees. If you're going away for a few days, raise the thermostat to 85 degrees and reset it when you return. Using a programmable thermostat will save more by keeping it at a constant setting rather than making it catch up at the end of the day when your house is its hottest.

- Operate household appliances during the cooler parts of the day. Schedule washing, drying and baking for mornings and evenings when it's cooler. These activities generate a tremendous amount of heat and humidity and can overburden your AC unit on hot days.

Follow these common sense tips and you'll stay cool when the mercury rises and reduce your energy bills. Call R.S. Andrews for more information at 770-454-1800, or check our website at www.rsandrews.com.