For seven months of the year, the average temperature in Jacksonville, FL, climbs above eighty degrees. Conditions frequently soar into the nineties or even the triple digits with brutal humidity. The a/c is essential, and because of the intensive workload, wear and tear is inevitable. I make sure to substitute the air filter every six to eight weeks however sometimes forget to schedule seasonal maintenance. This past summer, when I lowered the temperature control and the a/c kicked on, it made an odd sound. The air flowing from the vents had a musty odor and there was a surge of dust. I hoped that the system would labor out any difficulties and deliver effective cooling. I should have called immediately for a/c service. Instead, I procrastinated and my a/c quit in the middle of the night while in the Fourth of June holiday weekend. The outdoor temperature hit ninety degrees by eight o-clock in the afternoon. The apartment became horribly warm. I knew that if I tied up an a/c repair, I’d need to pay overtime fees. I decided to wait until Wednesday afternoon. I tried running box fans however they didn’t help much. Opening the windows was pointless. It was impossible to sleep at night. My whole family was uncomfortable, warm and unhappy. My pal and I took lots of chilly showers. It was such a relief when I finally got a licensed Heating and A/C worker to come to the house. He got the a/c running within a couple of hours. From now on, I’ll make sure to schedule seasonal maintenance.