You need to use and maintain your air conditioning system properly to enjoy everyday comfort in your home. There are a few rules you need to follow to keep your home's interior cool and your air conditioner in good condition.

The following are six rules to follow when it comes to air conditioning in your home. 

Put careful thought into choosing your home's air conditioner model

The air conditioner model you choose is important. Failing to put adequate thought and research into your choice of AC model can make it so that your home's AC system is inefficient and ineffective at cooling your interiors. 

Make sure to consider all pertinent factors when choosing your AC model including your home's square footage, the AC unit cooling capacity, and typical summer temperatures in your area. 

Pay attention to how old your air conditioning equipment is

Being aware of the age of your AC equipment helps you to know when it's time to get your AC unit replaced rather than repaired. You should not only know the age of your AC unit but also the typical lifespan of the AC model that you have in your home. 

Get on an air conditioner maintenance schedule

If you want your AC unit to continue running strong, you need to maintain it properly. Changing your AC air filter is one of the most important maintenance tasks to keep up with. 

Have your air conditioner inspected periodically

With routine AC inspections, you can make sure that your AC unit gets the maintenance and repair it needs before it starts malfunctioning. As a general rule, you should schedule routine inspections for your AC units at least once per year. 

Make sure your air conditioning equipment is operating as efficiently as it should

It can get very expensive to cool a home with an AC system that is not operating at peak efficiency. That's why you should pay attention to AC efficiency and call your AC company if you notice reduced efficiency.

You can keep track of your AC efficiency by paying close attention to your utility bills when your AC unit is operating. If your utility bills go up for some unknown reason during the hottest parts of the year when you're using your AC a lot, your AC unit probably needs maintenance and/or repairs. 

Set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature

If you set your thermostat at too low a temperature during hot periods of the year, your AC unit will have to work very hard. This could cause premature wear and tear on your AC equipment.

Reach out to an air conditioning contractor to learn more.