Running the air conditioning can make an electricity bill skyrocket, but the alternative isn't very pretty, either. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can help your air conditioner run better and save you money as the summer months progress. 1. Quit cooling the neighborhoodIf your home isn't brand new, the cold air inside it is probably seeping out into the neighborhood through worn door and window seals, a poorly insulated attic and other sneaky cracks. To see how well your home is holding in the cold, sign up for a home energy audit with your utility provider or a local contractor. A certified home energy rater or auditor will check your home for leaks and recommend the best way to make your home more energy efficient.Don't want to spring for an audit? Do a mini-audit yourself. Stand outside your home and run your hand along windows and doors. Can you feel the cold air escaping? If you do, caulk around leaky windows and add insulation around doors. 2. Make sure your thermostat is on the right wallThermostat placement can play a big part in how well your air conditioner works.

If you put it on a wall right next to a hot window, for instance, your air conditioner will kick on much more often than it needs to because it will think the room is hotter than it actually is. how much does an air handling unit costHere's how to pick the perfect wall for your thermostat. ac and heater systems3. Close the blindsA window letting in the hot sun won't just heat up your thermostat, it'll heat you up too. ac unit air filterDuring the warmest part of the day, close your window blinds. Closing the blinds keeps out the sun. It can also help insulate your windows, which stops the cold air from escaping.4. Use a fanSometimes you don't need to amp up the thermostat to feel cooler. According to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), using a ceiling fan can make a room feel 10 degrees cooler and uses 10 percent of the energy of a central air conditioner.

If you want to get high-tech, you can install smart ceiling fans that connect to an app. You can schedule the times when these fans turn on and off, and you can control their speed without standing on your tiptoes.5. Up the temprature Many people think that leaving the air conditioner at the same temperature when you leave the house saves money because the AC won't need to work as hard to re-cool the home. This is a myth. NRDC senior energy policy advocate Lauren Urbanek says that the most inexpensive way to use your air conditioner is to turn the thermostat up when you leave the house. Air conditioning systems operate most efficiently at full speed during longer periods of time. So kicking it on a lower temperature when you get home will save you more money than the AC cycling on and off while you're away. A programmable thermostat can make it super easy to keep your AC at the right temperature. You can program the unit to work at higher temperatures while you're at work and cool down right before you get home.6.

Setting low is a no-goAlways set your thermostat to the highest temperature you can stand to save the most money. Even a little change in the temperature can save you big bucks. You can save 10 percent a year on your cooling bills by setting your thermostat just 10 to 15 degrees higher for eight hours each day, according to the Nebraska Energy Office. The US Department of Energy recommends aiming for an indoor temperature of 78 degrees F when you're at home.My Air Conditioner Won't Cool My House Lower Than 78 Degrees If your air conditioner won't cool the house lower than 78 degrees, it can't provide the soothing environment you were hoping for. Air conditioners require regular maintenance to work properly. Check the machine for simple fixes and make sure you're not asking the machine to do more than it was designed for. If you have a new air conditioner, check the box to see if you bought one that can cool down the space you have. Each air conditioner is only able to cool a specific area, and if your home is too big for the unit, it won't work efficiently.

If you have an in-wall unit, set it to reuse the air in your home rather than using the air from outside. Though it would seem that fresh air is nicer, if the machine is pulling in the hot outside air, it won't cool as well as you expect. Air conditioners have a filter that needs replacement every few months. If you use a cheaper filter, you should change it every month, but more expensive filters can last two or three months. Look in your manufacturer's guide to determine the filter size and how to replace it. Cleaning the Air Conditioner Air conditioners require cleaning at least once per season. Clear any debris from around the unit that may be blocking airflow. If you have an in-wall unit, you may have covered the back during the winter months and forgotten to remove the cover. Anything preventing airflow can affect the cooling power. Additionally, open the machine and vacuum or wipe down vents or fans in the unit. Always turn off the power before cleaning your air conditioner.

Your air conditioner may have a leak and require more coolant. If you've tried other methods to improve the efficiency of your unit, call a professional to see if this is the case. Or it may simply be time for a new air conditioner. Expect your air conditioner to last only a few years. If you live in a warm climate and use your air conditioner year-round, you will need to replace it more often than someone who only uses the unit in the summer. Signature Heating & Air: FAQ About Air Conditioners and Furnaces RepairClinic: Air Conditioner Troubleshooting How to Check If Your Condensate Pump Is Working How to Install Air Conditioners With High Storm Window Frames Why Is My House Humid and the AC Works? The Air Conditioner at Home Will Not Shut Off How to Determine Air Conditioner Tonnage for a Restaurant Central Air Conditioner Running But Doesn't Blow AirAC unit stolen from York County church - | AC unit stolen from York County church A church is without an air conditioning unit after a weekend theft, and the York County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

The unit, valued at $10,000, was taken from Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Hickory Grove. A church member reported that he left the church Saturday after cutting the lawn. When he returned on Sunday before 10 a.m., the air conditioner was gone from the side of the building.Wires were clipped and the entire unit was removed.A 4x6 flat trailer used to store a lawnmower was also taken, according to a sheriff’s office report.The church’s pastor was disheartened to hear someone stole from a house of worship.“What you have really done is you’ve hurt a lot of people here at Mt. Zion,” said Frankie Smith.With summer on the way, Smith said he may have to adjust the church’s start time to keep everyone cool.“One side won’t cool, so we’ll have to make some adjustments there. We have a lively worship experience and sometimes that air helps us tremendously,” Smith said.There are no cameras at the church, but that is now likely to change.Smith is encouraging other churches to consider security equipment as an extra set of eyes, but said it’s sad that the congregation has to consider the option to curb theft.“

That’s one of the commandments - that’s one of the big ten,” Smith said.Smith said the church has insurance, but isn’t sure what will be covered or when the unit will be replaced. He’s more concerned about the person or people who took it.“Even in the midst of that, we love them, want them to know that we love them, and will encourage them to stop doing that. But there’s consequence for wrong doing, and if you continue to do it, sooner or later you’re going to get caught,” Smith said.Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the York County Sheriff’s Office or York County Crime Stoppers.Copyright 2016 WBTV. Baptist churches have recently been the target of break-ins in Union County.  Baptist churches have recently been the target of break-ins in Union County. Brooks said Sandy Parsons, under the watchful eye of prison guards, pointed to a shallow grave in a heavily wooded area off Blair Hendrix Rd, in between the towns of Pageland and Mount Croghan.Brooks said Sandy Parsons, under the watchful eye of prison guards, pointed to a shallow grave in a heavily wooded area off Blair Hendrix Rd, in between the towns of Pageland and Mount Croghan.A Charlotte family has raised more than $22,000 after an Army vet was beaten