Summer heat waves are just around the corner. So here are some important steps you can take to stay cool.
More efficient cooling at home. There’s a lot you can do to make your current air conditioner more efficient and to save on energy bills when cooling your home. Simply cleaning your air conditioner’s filter on a regular basis during warm months can improve efficiency. For advice on cooling your home read "How to keep your cool" and "Cool runnings."
Using fans. When the outside air is cooler than that inside your home, fans, including ceiling fans, can come in handy. Fans cost little to run, and they create a breeze that can help you feel up to 7 degrees cooler. (Consumer Reports tests of ceiling fans found that price had little to do with performance.)
Air conditioner product ratings and buying advice. If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, Consumer Reports has the latest product ratings.
An air conditioner that's too small won't do a good job cooling a room. One that's too big cools the area so quickly that it doesn't have time to remove enough moisture.
Use our air conditioner buying advice to learn about the air conditioner features that are most important to consider before you buy.
