Tampa is currently experiencing some of the hottest days its residents will see all year -- and the last thing you want on your hands is an air conditioning (AC) unit that blows out hot air.

And while the average air conditioning unit can last as long as 12 years, this doesn't mean your AC system won't need occasional repairs or maintenance performed by a local AC repair contractor. Shockingly, only 42% of people who use central air equipment maintain and service it regularly -- and you don't want to be one of these people stuck in the heat this summer.

Are you doing the right thing by calling in a local AC repair in Tampa? In some cases, you might not even need to hire an AC contractor to get your air conditioner back to normal. Learn how to perform a little air conditioning troubleshooting of your own by checking these three things:

The programmable thermostat
Firstly, check your air conditioner's thermostat. In a surprising number of instances where an air conditioner breaks down, the thermostat simply needs new batteries. As a general rule, you should change your thermostat's batteries each spring to prevent this from happening.

The air filters
It's been said many times before, but it can't be stressed enough: you should always be changing your air conditioning filters! Ideally, these filters should be replaced once every 90 days, and even more often during the summer, to keep your air conditioner properly functioning. Replacing your old air filters with new, clean ones won't just help keep your house cooler -- it can also cut your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5 to 15%!

The air conditioner circuit breaker
Lastly, you will want to check your air conditioner's circuit breaker to see if it has been tripped. If the breaker has been tripped, you'll want to seek out an AC repair, as this likely means your air conditioner overheated. Never try to turn the circuit back on by yourself; it's always best to have a professional air conditioning specialist handle this problem.

Do you agree with these tips? Have any other questions about residential AC repairs? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.