By Linwood Outlaw III — Daily Staff Writer

The heat is on, and many residents have surely begun the process of fine-tuning their air conditioners and fans in recent weeks to make sure they stay cool this summer.

As they stave off the humidity, energy experts are reminding them of key tips that could help keep cooling systems operating efficiently — and likely save consumers a considerable chunk on their monthly energy bills.

The general rule of thumb, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is to schedule an annual, preseason maintenance checkup with a licensed contractor for cooling systems. Air filters should also be checked on a regular basis.

"Filters, depending on the type, generally should be checked once a month, if not changed," said Tommy "Bubba" Day, owner of Daysons Heating & Cooling Inc. in Middletown. "We recommend that you have your [cooling] system checked at least once a year."

Day said consumers should also plant enough trees and shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but not block sufficient airflow to the system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air-conditioning units that operate in the shade typically uses as much as 10 percent less electricity than one operating in the sun.

Residents should also consider using interior fans along with their air conditioners to spread the cool air throughout the house more effectively without having to increase power use, experts say.

It is also suggested that residents consider installing whole-house fans that can cool homes by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic.

Cleaning evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils also is a must. Dirty coils, Day said, can reduce the system's ability to cool homes and cause it to run longer, which could reduce the overall life of the equipment.

"Dirt is our number one enemy," Day said. "I bet that's 80 percent of our service calls."

Ultra-Violet Air Treatment systems, Day said, are also a good tool for cleaning cooling systems.

"[Ultra-Violet treatment systems] keeps the coil looking new. They're phenomenal," said Day, adding that his company does cooling system checks for its customers twice each year for about $140. "That will really keep your system clean."

EPA experts say the average household spends about $1,900 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. However, officials insist that consumers can save on their summer cooling bills by installing and making adjustments to programmable thermostats, including raising their home's usual temperature setting by 7 degrees when they're away and 4 degrees while they're sleeping. Residents should also use "vacation" and "hold" features on programmable thermostats to better manage temperatures while they are away from home for an extended period.

It is also suggested that residents resist the urge of setting thermostats at a lower setting than normal, as it will not cool homes any faster and could result in excessive energy costs. Residents should also avoid placing lamps or TV sets near air-conditioning thermostats, as it can sense heat from such appliances and cause systems to run longer than necessary, according to DOE.

By managing heating and cooling schedules accordingly, a programmable thermostat can save about $180 a year on home energy bills, according to EPA.

"The main thing, really, is to make sure that you keep your [cooling] system clean," Day said.

In many cases, however, residents may have air-conditioning units that are simply too old, and it may be time for them to purchase a new one. Doing so might not be a bad idea, as newer energy efficient models can save up to 50 percent on cooling bills, according to DOE.

If all else fails, consumers should open windows and use portable or ceiling fans instead of operating an air conditioner.

*Contact Linwood Outlaw III at loutlaw@nvdaily.com.