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WILMINGTON – As temperatures near the 100 degree mark, many people are doing whatever it takes to keep cool.

"It's been moderate, but it's getting very hot and very humid," Wilmington resident Lad Bright said.

To beat the heat, Bright decided to get a new air conditioning system installed.

HVAC technicians advise customers to take some simple steps to make sure their existing system is ready. Southeastern Heating and Air Project Manager Johnny Moore recommended changing your filter if it is dirty.

"Opening up the door, simply pull the filter out; you can inspect it visually, look at it," Moore said. "Make sure that it's not loaded up. You'd have a lot of dust, lint, trash."

Moore said keeping the filter clean is crucial.

"The most important part of the home owner’s responsibility of maintaining their air conditioning system is to keep your filters clean," he said.

Moore also recommended checking the condensation drain line to see if a steady, clean flow of water is coming out. If not, Moore recommends cleaning your cooling coil and condensation drip tray inside the blower cabinet.

Once an AC system is running, Moore said to avoid turning it off when leaving for the day because that ends up costing extra money and energy. Instead, he suggests moving the thermostat up a few degrees before heading out.

If you’re having problems with your air conditioning system or cannot get it up and running, experts recommend you call a local technician to give you a hand.