With a few tricks, you can increase the longevity of your AC without sacrificing your comfort. Your air conditioner needs a break every now and then. Keeping it on at full power can prematurely wear out its components and lead to a more frequent need for AC repair. Here are a few things you can do to stay cool without overtaxing your AC.

1. Block or Reduce the Sunlight

Sunlight can warm up interior space and force your AC to work harder to counteract the effects of the sun. You can upgrade your windows to more energy-efficient ones, but covering your windows can help as well.

Closing the blinds, shutters, or curtains will keep some of the sun's heat out. You can also completely black out the windows.

2. Replace Older Style Light Bulbs

If you're still using older-style incandescent light bulbs in your home, consider replacing them. Those older bulbs give off a lot of heat, which your AC must compensate for. Incandescent bulbs also use up more electricity. Swapping out those old bulbs for modern LED lights can help cut the indoor heat and give your AC a little help.

3. Deal With the Humidity

Sometimes the humidity causes more discomfort than the heat itself. Air conditioners do an excellent job of removing humidity, but you can help your AC by dealing with some of the humidity in other ways. Some ways to reduce indoor humidity include:

• Running a dehumidifier
• Using your dryer less (try hanging clothes outside)
• Taking shorter showers (turn on bathroom venting too)
• Keeping the space or home properly ventilated

Your air conditioner may also have a setting that allows it to remove moisture from the air without cooling. This is a feature of many modern ACs, and you may have it as a "dry" setting.

Run any moisture-producing appliance early rather than later. For example, dishwashers can contribute to humidity. So, it's best to run your dishwasher early when it's still cooler, rather than later when you're running your AC to keep away the heat and humidity.

4. Keep Your AC in Good Condition

Air conditioners, even if used gently, will require occasional maintenance. The more you use the AC, the more important it is to keep it clean and in good repair.

As AC problems build, the air conditioner will try to work harder to compensate for any issues. Your AC will wear out faster than it should and your electricity bills will increase as well. If you're having any issues with your AC, then seek air conditioning repairs from a professional service immediately.