No one thinks too much about their central air conditioning system until it breaks down! And when the summer heat is hot enough to fry that proverbial egg on the sidewalk, you and your family depend on that cooling system to keep you comfortable and safe. Wise homeowners will practice "Cool Rules" so that they never have to worry about an air conditioner breakdown in the middle of the season. Here are some great ideas to keep your A/C humming right along.

Cool Rule #1: Professional Maintenance Services Are a Must. Most of us haven't a clue what to look for or even how to do our own air conditioning tune-ups. For most homeowners, it's a job that's probably left to the professionals. If you haven't already, it's never too late to have an HVAC technician come out and give your appliance a once-over. He'll do any necessary cleaning and oiling and if something looks out of whack, he'll be able to fix it before it becomes a major problem. You paid a lot for your air conditioner: it's worth paying a little to make sure it runs properly.

Cool Rule #2: Listen to Your Air Conditioner. Don't take your appliance for granted. If it's making "unusual" noises, it's probably trying to "tell" you something! Beware of loud whining noises that may indicate a fan belt slippage and take the time once a week to look for leaks around your condenser. Again, "listening" to the air conditioner allows you to catch problems earlier: hopefully saving you big repair bills later on and preventing your family from suffering when the A/C gives up altogether.

Cool Rule #3: Keep a Tight Rein On Your Condenser Unit. Most central air owners have a condenser located in their back or front yard along an exterior wall. In order for fresh air intake to come into your system unimpeded, it is absolutely essential to keep the area around the condenser clear. Don't store tools, unused garden furniture or toys anywhere near the condenser; and be sure to keep nearby bushes and trees safely trimmed away from the unit. P.S Make sure your kids understand that they should never use the condenser as part of their games!