Extreme Heat Taking Toll On Green Country Air Conditioners

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- With the temperatures staying in the triple digits and setting records, its adding a lot of extra stress to air conditioners.

This is obviously the worst possible time for your air conditioner to break down, but there are some things you can do to help it survive.

Repair companies typically see an increase in calls when the temperatures spike, but say simple maintenance can keep your air conditioner running cool all summer long without any hiccups.

"You're outside all day and it's hot. The last thing you want to do is come in and still be hot. It's your home. It should be a place of comfort," Joey Reyes said.

Homeowner Joey Reyes said he turns his thermostat down to a cool 70 degrees.

"Because it's hot and I do not like to be hot," he said.

"They are designed to work around 100 degrees. 95 to 100," Mark Swanson, an Air Assurance service technician, said. "You get around 105, it does put a stress on them."

Swanson said lack of maintenance can kill your air conditioner.

"Filters get very dirty. Within a month you'd be surprised at how dirty they can get," he said. "Keep track of your filters. Maintenance is very, very critical on systems. They have to breathe."

Swanson said dirt is an air conditioners enemy.

"If you don't feel good and have a high fever, you don't feel well. Same thing with air conditioners. Temperatures not right. It isn't feeling well," he said.

Keeping your A/C clean will keep you cool.

Reyes' air conditioner broke last month, just when the heat started to kick in.

"It was 90 something degrees in the house. We tried to go hang out at stores and shops. It was hot!" he said.

Swanson advises people not to set the thermostat lower than 75 right now. And when you leave, he said you shouldn't turn it up just to save some money. He says it's best to leave it alone. You'll pay more, but you'll be comfortable.