Cool tips for hot days

With excessive heat warnings scorching much of the U.S., State Farm wants to remind you to take the necessary steps to protect your home from one thing that can give you relief this summer…your air conditioner (AC).

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, from 2016-2020, the annual averages were 2,800 home fires caused by air conditioners, resulting in 40 deaths, 140 injuries, and over $102M in direct property damage.

Extreme heat can put extra strain on AC units. If not property checked and maintained, these can become a fire hazard.

A few simple tips can help you stay cool this summer while making sure you're protecting your home:

• Keep your blinds/curtains closed during the day. Preventing extra sunlight from entering your home can reduce the work your AC needs to do to maintain your set temperature.
   
• Only run your unit when needed. If you're on vacation, or away for any length of time, consider bumping your thermostat up when no one is home. Setting a schedule on programmable thermostats is a great way to save energy.
   
• Be mindful of other appliances. When it's super-hot out, consider running your dishwasher and washer/dryer in the evening rather than the peak of the day. Furthermore, preserve energy with things as simple as lights; if you don’t need them, don't turn them on. All of these can heat up your home requiring your AC to work harder.
   
• Check/Change your filters. If your room or house is taking longer to cool than usual, it may be time to change or clean your filters. Every unit/filter is different, so be sure to check your AC's manual for properly checking, cleaning or replacing your filters.
   
• Check your vents. This may seem obvious, but if all but one room is cooling, there may be something jammed in your vents, especially if you have small children and the vents are ground level.
   
• Check if the unit is frozen. If your AC is blowing room temperature air, it may be frozen. When it runs continuously in extreme heat, the coils can freeze. Simply put your hand on the unit - if it feels very cold to the touch, it's likely frozen. If you suspect it's frozen, turn off your unit. You may keep the fan on to help it defrost. Never run the unit if you think it's frozen; it can do significant damage resulting in expensive repairs.
   
• Schedule routine maintenance. Especially if you live in a hot climate, an annual inspection by a certified HVAC tech may help prolong the life of your unit and identify any issues that could potentially lead to a fire.

If these don't improve your air, you may want to call in the professionals to determine where the problem is originating. You don't want to risk damaging your unit or causing more serious issues like a fire.