Central air conditioners are split systems: an outdoor unit (the condensing unit) and an indoor unit (air handler). The function of an air conditioner is to transport heat from one station to another. The vehicle your system uses to carry the heat is called a refrigerant, commonly referred to as Freon. Air conditioners cool your home by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring that heat to the outdoor air. This heat is extracted from the home by passing indoor air across a refrigerant coil in the indoor unit. Lines then carry the heat to the outdoor unit, where it is released to the outside air. The cooling cycle continues until the indoor temperature reaches the thermostat setting.

While it's keeping you cool, your air conditioner also works as an effective dehumidifier. As warm air passes over the indoor evaporator coil, it can no longer hold as much moisture as it carried at its higher temperatures. The extra moisture condenses on the outside of the coils and is carried away through a drain.

Energy Saving Tips:

Keep Cold Air In

• Start the summer off right - have a professional check your central air conditioner to make sure it's running at peak efficiency.
• Clean or replace air conditioning filters at least once a month. Dirty filters and coils can drastically reduce the efficiency of your system.
• If you have central air conditioning, set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. For every degree you raise your thermostat setting above 72 degrees F, you'll save 5-7% on your cooling costs.
• Use fans where possible. Portable fans or ceiling fans can save 5 to 10 percent on your cooling costs.
• The outdoor unit of an air conditioner should be kept free from plants, dirt or grass clippings that will interfere with air circulation. Wash the coils periodically with a garden hose.

Keep Hot Air Out

• Replace weather stripping and caulking around windows, doors and other areas to improve the efficiency of your unit.
• Close blinds, curtains and drapes to keep out the sun's heat, especially on the east and west sides of the house. In the evening, opening drapes and shades lets heat escape through the glass.
• Use white window blinds instead of darker colors. White reflects light and heat, while dark colors absorb them.
• Attic temperatures sometimes rise up to 140 degrees during the summer months. Good attic ventilation will lower the temperature and reduce cooling requirements inside your home.
• Make sure attic and crawl spaces are adequately ventilated. Poor ventilation will add to your summer cooling costs. It also traps moisture in your attic, making insulation less effective.

Basic Living

• Minimize the use of heat-producing appliances during the day. These include dishwashers, ovens, and laundry equipment.
• Summer time is a great time to use the natural energy of the sun and wind to dry your household laundry and lower your energy bills. So give your dryer and budget a break this summer - hang those clothes out to dry!
• By using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to remove excess heat and moisture, you can save each month on your overall-cooling bill.
• Except when they are in use, turn off lamps, televisions, and other appliances that generate heat.
• Cook outdoors, use a microwave oven or prepare cold meals to avoid heating up the kitchen and adding moisture to the air.