All-time summer heat levels keep buckling under the weight of rising global weather— a trend that literally and figuratively hits home when you collect your monthly bill for air conditioning. Sadly, as experts say, mistakes you make with your home AC can undermine its performance, effectiveness, and security.  It’s important to reduce the pressure on your AC unit to avoid an Air Conditioning Repair. You can do this in many ways.

If you have a system that is poorly maintained, it can become polluted with microorganisms that can be toxic when inhaled. As some of the potential hazards, respiratory disorders and allergies can affect you.

Top NOAA Climate Scientist Who Tracked Ocean Conditions Drowns in Rough Seas A top weather forecast official who supervised government forecasting centers monitoring ocean, storm, and even space conditions died in rough seas on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

 Here are eight of the most common mistakes that people make when it comes to home AC, and some easy changes that can save your wallet and lungs.

At a minimum, you can switch the filter once every three months on your central AC unit— and as often as once a month if your machine is working all the time.

Neglect this chore, and a dirty filter can lead to poor airflow or freezing of the evaporator coil of your system. A filthy filter can add 5% to 15% to your AC bill and shorten your entire system’s lifespan. Thankfully, replacement filters are quite cheap— usually less than $10.

If you have ductless “broken” AC units, your system should have a removable panel that will allow you to wipe the filter off with a rag— no need for replacement.

You can look up online video tutorials on cleaning the coils and fins of your AC unit annually — necessary maintenance operations that keep your system up and running efficiently, says Braun. You can also bring in a pro once a year to represent the program. While looking for AC service providers, the U.S. Department of Energy provides several tips.

You don’t have a programmable thermostat. You may be one of those amazing people who always remember to change the thermostat before leaving the house. But if you’re like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can save you hundreds on your annual AC bill by raising the temp automatically when you’re at work or away from home. New “smart” thermostats that can be controlled by phone make programming even easier.

Setting Your Thermostat Too Low Research shows that the human body can adapt quite quickly to hot or cool temperatures— like in a week or two. When you consider cutting your AC bill by up to 3 percent for each degree you raise the temperature— not to mention the potential environmental benefits of decreasing your AC usage — it’s worth sweating through that adjustment period and setting your thermostat somewhere in the low 70s (or lower if you can manage it).

You’re not taking full advantage of fans Any form of the fan will help to keep cool air circulating in your home, but particularly ceiling fans. This eliminates some of the AC system’s pressure. Just be sure that during the summer your ceiling fans transform counterclockwise, facilitating higher airflow.

Your Thermostat and/or Winds Are Poorly Positioned If the sun or a nearby lamp blasts your thermostat for big chunks of the day, it could throw off its readings and trigger your AC to crank even if your place is hot. Especially if you’re home during the day, because of a misplaced thermostat, you may not know that your system works overtime.

Air circulation can also be limited by blocking AC vents with furniture or curtains. Unless you’re spending a lot of time huddling under your sofa, you’re going to want to make sure your AC winds are clear.

You’re Cooling Empty Rooms When AC vents are open in every room in your home, you’re cooling a lot of property that might not be in regular use. Move around and close the AC winds opening up to unoccupied spaces. Closing closet doors often means that your cold air is not consumed by those rooms.

You don’t have blinds and daylight curtains are the nemesis of your AC system. You will also protect your room from the heat of the sun by closing blinds and sliding curtains to block the rays of the sun.  Now you have the information, so you can put to use some of these air conditioning saving tips. If you are having a problem cooling your home, it’s always best to consult a professional for your Air Conditioning Repair.