[greenjeans]

This is something most people don't think about but it can save you lots of money in the long run. I never think to do it until it becomes a problem. Well, late last night it reared it's ugly head again. Your thermostat. In particular, the temperature sensor. When dust collects on the sensor it can act as an insulator causing your unit to cycle on too frequently and run longer. This can damage the air handling unit requiring service or replacement. I have a digital thermometer and I just pop it off the wall and blow it with canned air. I also gently wipe the temp sensor with cotton swab to make sure it's extra clean.

Like I said, it's not something you usually would think about but it cost me a fortune in the middle of the summer last year when our unit kept freezing up. We had to call someone out who recharged the freon and checked everything out but we still had problems. They told us we would need to replace the outdated unit if they needed to any more work to it so we left it at that. Low and behold at 5 am in the sweltering heat I read about the thermostat being dirty so I tried it. It hasn't frozen up in over a year until today.

So add it your cleaning lists

[meant2bemommie]

This is seriously so good to know!!!

[KBeans]

great info!

[lapoema]

Wow.. that must have been why we kept having problems with our AC when we lived at the apartment. Duh! Thanks