State Farm: Protect your air conditioner this summer

With excessive heat warnings scorching the Valley, and no end in sight, State Farm wants to remind residents to take the necessary steps to protect their homes from one thing that can give them relief this summer -- their air conditioners.

From 2016 to 2020, 2,800 home fires were caused by air conditioners on average annually, resulting in 40 deaths, 140 injuries, and more than $102 million in direct property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.

Extreme heat can put extra strain on AC units. If not property checked and maintained, these can become a fire hazard.

Here are a few simple tips that can help residents stay cool this summer while protecting their homes.

• Keep blinds/curtains closed during the day. Preventing extra sunlight from entering the home can reduce the work the AC needs to maintain a set temperature.

• Only run unit when needed. If on vacation, or away for any length of time, consider bumping your thermostat up when no one is home. Setting a schedule on programmable thermostats is a great way to save energy.

• Be mindful of other appliances. When it's super hot out, consider running the dishwasher and washer/dryer in the evening rather than the peak of the day. Furthermore, preserve energy with things as simple as lights; if you don’t need them, don't turn them on. All these can heat up your home requiring your AC to work harder.

• Check/Change the filters. If your room or house is taking longer to cool than usual, it may be time to change or clean your filters. Every unit/filter is different, so be sure to check the AC's manual for properly checking, cleaning or replacing the filters.

• Check vents. This may seem obvious, but if all but one room is cooling, there may be something jammed in the vents, especially if you have small children and the vents are ground level.

• Check if the unit is frozen. If the AC is blowing room temperature air, it may be frozen. When it runs continuously in extreme heat, the coils can freeze. Simply put your hand on the unit - if it feels very cold to the touch, it's likely frozen. If you suspect it's frozen, turn off your unit. You may keep the fan on to help it defrost. Never run the unit if you think it's frozen; it can do significant damage resulting in expensive repairs.

• Schedule routine maintenance. Especially if you live in a hot climate, an annual inspection by a certified HVAC tech may help prolong the life of your unit and identify any issues that could potentially lead to a fire.

If these don't improve your air, you may want to call in the professionals to determine where the problem is originating. You don't want to risk damaging your unit or causing more serious issues like a fire.