Seven ways to get the most out of a window air conditioner during extreme heat in the US

These affordable units can provide cool relief, but need maintenance and care

As the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches, Americans are also preparing for a weeklong heatwave. The National Weather Service recommends wearing light clothing, staying hydrated, and ensuring access to air-conditioning or other cooling areas.

If you live in an older home or apartment, you’re less likely to have central air and may have a window air conditioning unit instead, says Darcy Carbone, vice-president of sales at APA HVAC Technologies and a member of the residential buildings committee at the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. These units cool, circulate, filter and dehumidify air.

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