Tom Wendel's air conditioning is working for now, but the Monfort Heights, Ohio, man is concerned his aging system may not be up for the challenge in this week's heat wave.So he called HELP heating and cooling to give it a checkup. Smart move: HELP's Josh Battele says if your AC is going to fail, it usually happens the hottest week of the year. "The system is working harder and harder, right now," he explained. "If it can't get proper air flow at that point your compressor is working harder, your fan motor is working harder, which works other components even harder."In Wendel's case, Battele spotted an almost clogged filter, a no-no during hot weather.Turn it Up, Down, or Off?The question a lot of people ask during a heat wave: Does it make sense to turn off your air conditioner for a few hours when you go out for the day, to save wear and tear, and money?Josh says no, because it will take the AC hours and hours to cool the house down. Plus, the house will get more humid, straining the compressor even more once it is back on."

Definitely don't turn your thermostat to the off position to save save money," he said.Instead, he suggests keeping it on, but turning it up a couple of degrees so it doesn't have to work as hard.The consumer guide Angie's List agrees, suggesting you: Turn your AC up as close to 80 as you comfortably can. Heat waves are not a time to keep your house at 68. Close blinds and curtains on the south side of your home. Keep ceiling fans running on slow speed to add a slight breeze. Open the basement door and put a fan blowing up the stairs for free cooling. Don't run the oven at all when it is more than 90 degrees outside. It's like turning on a space heater. Tom Wendel is doing all that because he doesn't want a huge repair bill like so many other families right now.That way you don't waste your money. ____________________Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co."Like" John Matarese on FacebookFollow John on Twitter (@JohnMatarese )Sign up for John's free Newsletter delivered weekly to your inboxClick here for more DWYM reports and to contact John_______________________

You can save an average of $275.00* on local dining, travel and attractions with WCPO Insider Rewards. Search, sort and filter through 300,000+ deals, everyday just for being an Insider. Click here to try us out for FREE for a month., or message me on Facebook.The morning commute can be stressful. But if your car’s heater suddenly stops working in the middle of winter, it can make it downright miserable. Not only would the inside of your car feel like an ice box, but a broken heater can prevent your defroster from blowing warm air to your windshield to eliminate ice and fog, which can pose a hazard while driving. Not having a working heater could even become a dire situation, if you end up stranded. A heater can stop working for a number of reasons, including: •A low antifreeze/water level in the radiator due to a leak in the cooling system. •A bad thermostat that isn’t allowing the engine to properly warm up. •A blower fan that isn’t working properly.

•Coolant that contains rust particles or becomes otherwise contaminated and is blocking the heating core from circulating air into the cabin properly. Depending on the problem, different types of repairs could be required. There really isn’t a heater unit, like a furnace in your house, that you can just replace. It is more a combination of different things that provide heat into the vehicle. ac units for a mobile homeIt’s very difficult to give a cost due to the wide variety of possible problems.best a/c unit for florida One of the most important components, the heater core, which acts like a small radiator, passes the hot air from under the dashboard into the vehicle. tips for ac unitThey can cost several hundred dollars to replace.

A heater core can be described as a part that is placed on a workbench, and the car is built around it. To replace a heater core, it sometimes takes a day or more to repair. Most heating-related repairs range from $300 to $1,000, but it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact number because of the variety of problems that exist. A decrease in the coolant level or a leak in the coolant system is one of the more common problems. Coolant doesn’t evaporate on its own. Topping it off may help in the short term, but it’s an indication of a deeper problem and should be checked out. You shouldn’t have to add anything at all if everything is working well. It can damage the motor if there is low heat from too little coolant. A leak could be as simple as a loose hose clamp, or a major problem like a leaking engine cylinder head gasket, which can cause serious damage to the engine and cost several hundred dollars to replace. Several components make up the heating system, so unless you have experience with car maintenance, it’s best to have a reputable auto mechanic diagnose the problem.

In general terms, a heating system works when the vehicle receives heat from the engine’s coolant system. Once the engine reaches its operating temperature — controlled by the thermostat — it heats up the coolant and water mixture, passes it through hoses and valves and into the heating core, which resembles a miniature radiator. A blower fan then pushes the warm air from the heating core through the cabin filter and into the vehicle. The No. 1 tip, professionals say, is to have a mechanic asses your heater regularly by having a mechanic checking the coolant level and the other components. However, Ramsey adds that coolant in newer vehicles may not need service until 60,000 to 100,000 miles, and heating problems usually don’t occur on newer vehicles. “Maintaining your vehicle’s cooling system helps prevent a heater failure,” Ramsey says. “Checking hoses, belts and keeping the coolant clean and filled are simple basic maintenance that will help keep it working.”