BUFFALO, N.Y. — Pretty soon your AC will need to be cranked, but have you had yours cleaned recently? Brett Kelly, a senior tech at Reimer Home Services, says you should have your AC checked at least once a year.

By scheduling a yearly tuneup, the air conditioning unit will be cleaned and any maintenance will be performed, providing more benefits along the way.

If you frequently have your AC checked, you will need less for large repairs. Also, it will lower the cost on your energy bills.

"Things as little as it being a little bit low on refrigerant could make the air conditioner not run as efficiently, which in result, it's going to run longer and cost you more in electric and utility bills," he said.

He says it's best to do it now, before any problems that there might be get worse.

"What's important is you're preventing breakdowns and fixing it on your time, instead of waiting for it to break and making that phone call and trying to find somebody to come out and fix it," he said.

And when your AC is working properly, it will give your home optimal room cooling.

All these benefits will ultimately extend the life of your AC unit.