Sometimes I wonder what I would do if the air-condition of my apartment decided one day to stop working. Early during summer time, when the temperature begins to rise and I seek comfort against the heat that makes me feel exhausted by placing ice-cubes across my forehead. This time, as I was expecting a technician from the apartment building I live in to come for the necessary AC unit's maintenance, before I was able to use it, I examined some interesting facts about air-conditions that I wish to share.

Most people are surprised to learn that buying a bigger air conditioning unit will not necessarily make them feel more comfortable during the hot summer months. In fact, a room air conditioner that is too big for the area it is supposed to cover and control its temperature, will perform less efficiently and effectively than a smaller, properly sized unit. The reason behind this is that air-conditions work better if they are operated for longer periods of time than if they are switched on and off continuously. In fact, longer run times allow air-conditions to control better the room temperature keeping it constant and cool. In addition, if they operate for longer periods of time, they can reduce the excess amount of moisture from the air making people feel cooler and comfortable. For extra cooling advice, read the following tips.

- Change Your Air Filter: Dealing with indoor air quality most effectively means filtering or cleaning all the air in the home using the air-condition system.

- The Right AC Temperature: Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible during the summer months. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. Remember that you should not set your thermostat at a lower (colder) setting than normal only during the first half an hour you turn on your air-conditioner. This practice will not cool your home any faster and if it results in excessive cooling it will be an unnecessary expense.

- The Fan Speed: If the weather is not very humid, set the fan speed on high, while when it is humid set the fan speed on low. This way you will get better cooling, and a slower air movement through the cooling equipment as it allows more moisture to be removed from the air, resulting in greater comfort.

- The Extra Fan: Using an interior fan in conjunction with your air-conditioner will spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing the energy usage levels.

- Heat Producers: Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat, as it senses the heat produced by these appliances, leading the air-conditioner to run longer than necessary and its efficient level to decrease.

- Protect the AC: If you have access to the part of the air-condition unit that is placed outdoors, consider planting trees or shrubs to shade it, but be careful not to block the airflow. As experts point out, a unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10 percent less electricity than the one operating directly under the sun.