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  11 Air Conditioning Mistakes That Spike Your Bills Nowadays, more than 90 percent of homes and virtually all businesses in America use air conditioning to beat the summertime heat. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, air conditioners use about 6 percent of all the electricity produced in the country. Given the overwhelming prevalence of AC, most people think they know how to maintain their system properly, whether it’s central air, a window unit, or ductless mini-splits. But, surprisingly, many homeowners fall victim to common mistakes that waste energy, shorten the working lifespan of their air conditioner, and cost money. Here are 11 common air-conditioning mistakes, and how to properly address each one. Buying the Wrong System istockphoto.com Always use an air conditioner that’s correctly sized for your home. An oversize unit may cycle on and off too quickly, making it ineffective at removing humidity and maintaining uniform temperatures. On the other hand, a too-

  10 Hacks to Survive Without an Air Conditioner No AC? No problem! With these hacks, you can keep cool this summer — and keep your electric bill down. When the temperature creeps past 90 degrees on a hot summer day, it’s natural to regret the decision to rent a place without air conditioning. But don’t despair — with these tips for living without an air conditioner, you can stave off the sweltering heat, without the sky-high utility bill (or putting in a noisy, energy-sucking window unit). 1. Change the rotation on your ceiling fan to counterclockwise It’s easier than you think to make this fix (usually your fan will have a little switch on the motor housing that alters its rotation), and doing so will allow the blades to circulate faster, creating a cooler breeze. If you have box fans, turn them around so that they blow hot air out the window. 2. Don’t let the light in Keeping shades, curtains, or blinds closed can lower the temperature inside your house by up to 20 degrees. 3. Chann