Experts are offering air conditioner maintenance tips to help Connecticut residents avoid losing their cool during the heat wave.

Luigi Trani says service calls for air conditioners spike as temperatures skyrocket. He says air conditioners with dirty filters won?t hold up in a heat wave and recommends checking the filter at least once every three months. He also advises keeping the thermostat at 74 degrees. According to Trani, anything lower could force the unit to struggle and break.

Trani says having air conditioning was a luxury a decade ago, but now it is a necessity. He says proper care of the unit is the best way to stay cool during the hot summer.