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Running your air conditioner is one of those bad habits that can be costly when the weather heats up in Springfield, MO. Here are the top three bad air conditioning habits to avoid.

1. Turning the Thermostat Up and Down Constantly

You get home and your house is hot, so you turn the thermostat way down, thinking that a colder thermostat setting will mean colder air coming through your ducts. But it doesn't work that way; turning your thermostat down only means that your air conditioner will run longer than it otherwise would, putting extra stress on your HVAC system. This wastes energy and makes your system more susceptible to costly breakdowns.Next time, turn the thermostat to the temperature you want your home to be and leave it there. To maximize savings while maintaining comfort, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping your thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

2. Keeping the Thermostat on the "On" Setting

Your thermostat has two settings: "Auto" and "On." On a hot day, you might be tempted to turn it to "On" so that your fan constantly runs, but this is a mistake.Turning your thermostat to "On" wastes energy because your fan is running when it doesn't need to be. It also makes your house more humid as water that condensed on your AC coil is blown back into your house. Always keep your thermostat on "Auto."

3. Skipping Yearly Maintenance

It may be tempting to skip your air conditioner's annual tune-up, but that's an expensive mistake in the long run. During an annual maintenance visit, a trained HVAC technician will clean and lubricate all of the important parts of your air conditioner. This will allow your air conditioner to run in tip-top shape, saving you money on your power bill and preventing breakdowns.If it's been more than a year since your air conditioner was serviced or your air conditioner has broken down, call Lorenz Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning in Springfield, MO. We can get your air conditioner running smoothly again.Image provided by iStock

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