Was it, what, a week or two ago that we were still tentatively toggling between our spring and winter coats? And now, all of a sudden, it's muggy and getting up to 90. If you're anything like us, this means your weekend to-do list consists of getting your A/C unit locked and loaded for another season of sweet, artificially freezing air and jacked-up electric bills.
[Note: This story originally ran in May, 2015, and was updated with new information in May, 2017.]
Before you hoist your heavy, cumbersome friend into the windowsill, brush up on some of our best tips for keeping your bills low, your neighbors safe, and your apartment blissfully cool:
- First things first:How to install your air conditioner safely, andwhy you'll need to include window brackets
- And here's how to get A/Ceven if you've got bars on your windows
- For the penny pinchers: Tricks tokeep your Con Ed bill relatively lowduring the dog days of summer
- While you're at it, make sure your air conditioner (and your appliance situation, in general)isn't a massive fire hazard
- No, your landlorddoesn't have the power to micro-manageyour air conditioner use
- Options for window unitsthat won't be total eyesores
- What to know if you decide to spring fora through-the-wall or PTAC unit
- Before you know it, summer will be over already, sohere'show to take your A/C out