The hot summer weather is right around the corner. That’s why Senator Kemp Hannon is offering the following money saving tips for Long Islanders cooling down their homes.

Cooling your home uses more energy (and energy dollars) than any other “comfort system” in your home. According to the Long Island Power Authority, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment.

 It is important that the size of your central air conditioning system is correct for the amount of square footage that needs to be cooled. Properlysized units also help keep the humidity down, making for a more comfortable as well as an efficiently cooled room.

 The location of your room air conditioner has a lot to do with how efficient it will be. Try to locate your units on the north, east or the best-shaded side of your home. A unit exposed to direct sunlight has to work much harder and use more energy to cool your home.

 If you have central air conditioning, regular maintenance is essential. Keep the condenser unit’s coils and fins clean. Remove grass, leaves, and other debris that may collect on them. Keep shrubbery away from your air conditioner because it can block vents and reduce the unit’s ability to exhaust air.

 Seal spaces around the air conditioner with caulking to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering.

 When it is not too hot, consider using portable or ceiling fans instead of air conditioners. Whole-house fans help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. They are most effective when operated at night and when the outside air is cooler than the inside.

 Don’t set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you first turn on your air conditioner. This will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and an additional expense, as the unit will need to work harder.

For more energy and money saving tips, visit Lipower.org. For important New York State legislative information and for a full list of upcoming community events near you, visit kemphanon.com.