You know that feeling when the summer heat hits and your house feels like an oven? Yeah, not fun.
I’ve lived through some brutal summers where my AC decided to take a vacation right when I needed it most.
The truth is, most of us don’t think about our air conditioners until they’re not working.
But a little preparation goes a long way, especially when those temperatures start climbing into the danger zone.
I want to share some straightforward tips that’ll help your AC handle whatever summer throws at it.
Nothing fancy or complicated here.
Just practical stuff that works, from someone who’s seen plenty of preventable AC meltdowns over the years.
Let’s get your cooling system ready before the real heat arrives.
10 Tips To Prepare Your AC For Extreme Summer Temperatures
Before we jump into the specifics, let’s talk about why this matters.
Your air conditioner works super hard during summer, especially during those weeks when temperatures are off the charts.
It’s like asking your car to drive uphill for three months straight.
Without some prep work, you’re basically crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.
The good news? Most of what your AC needs is pretty simple.
Some of these tips you can handle yourself in a weekend, while others might need a pro.
Either way, they’ll help your system run better, use less energy, and most importantly, keep you cool when it’s blazing hot outside.
Schedule a Professional AC Inspection
I tell all my neighbors this every spring: get your system checked before you actually need it.
A good technician will spot issues that you’d never notice until they turn into bigger problems.
They’ll check your refrigerant levels, inspect electrical connections, make sure your compressor is happy, and generally give your system a once-over.
Last year, my HVAC repair guy found a tiny refrigerant leak that would have left me sweating by July if it hadn’t been fixed.
Try to schedule this in spring, when companies aren’t slammed with emergency calls.
You’ll often get better rates, too.
Plus, if they do find something serious, you won’t be waiting in line behind fifty other hot, cranky homeowners who need the same part.
Clean or Replace Air Filters
This is probably the easiest thing you can do yourself, and it makes a huge difference.
Your air filter gets dirty over time, and when it does, your system has to work harder to push air through.
I check my filters once a month during summer.
Sometimes they look fine, but other times, especially if you have pets or allergies, they can get clogged up surprisingly fast.
Most filters are designed to be replaced, not cleaned, but there are some washable ones out there.
Either way, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
A clean filter means better airflow, cleaner air, and an AC that doesn’t have to struggle just to do its job.
Clear Debris from Outdoor Unit
Your outdoor unit needs space to breathe.
Over the winter and spring, it’s amazing what can accumulate around it – leaves, grass clippings, twigs, even trash that blows in.
I once found a small bush growing right up against mine.
No wonder the system was struggling!
Give your outdoor unit at least two feet of clear space on all sides.
Trim back any plants, clear away debris, and gently hose off the exterior to remove dirt and pollen.
Just be careful not to bend those delicate fins or spray water directly into the unit.
Your AC pulls in air through those outside coils, and if they’re clogged with dirt or blocked by your garden, it’s like trying to breathe through a pillow.
Check and Seal Air Ducts
This one’s a bit more involved, but it’s worth checking.
Your cool air travels through ducts to get around your house, and if those ducts have leaks, you’re paying to cool your attic or crawl spaces.
I noticed this in my own home when one bedroom was always warmer than the rest.
Turns out, a duct connection had come loose over time.
You can check for obvious leaks yourself in accessible areas.
Look for disconnected joints or visible holes, and feel for air escaping when your system is running.
For a thorough job, you might want a professional duct inspection, but even finding and sealing one major leak can make a difference in your comfort and energy bill.
Test Your Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat is the brain of your cooling system, so make sure it’s working right.
Replace the batteries if it uses them, and check that it’s reading the temperature accurately.
I like to test mine with a regular thermometer placed nearby.
If they’re more than a degree or two different, something’s not right.
Also, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat if you haven’t already.
These let you set different temperatures for different times of day, so you’re not cooling an empty house.
Remember though, don’t let your house get too hot during the day.
Like my buddy says, cooling a house that’s heated up to 85 degrees takes forever and runs your system non-stop, which isn’t good for it either.
Inspect and Clean Air Vents
This is something a lot of people overlook.
Your vents can get clogged with dust, pet hair, or even toys if you have kids.
And sometimes they accidentally get closed or blocked by furniture.
Take a walk around your house and check each vent.
Make sure they’re open, unblocked, and reasonably clean.
You don’t need them spotless, but if you can see dust bunnies forming, it’s time for the vacuum.
I found one vent in my guest room completely blocked by a dresser that my wife moved last year.
No wonder that room was always stuffy!
Insulate Your Home Properly
Your AC can only do so much if your home is leaking cool air like a sieve.
Check for gaps around windows and doors, and make sure your attic has proper insulation.
In my first house, adding insulation to the attic made a bigger difference than upgrading the AC.
The system didn’t have to work nearly as hard to keep the place cool.
Weather stripping for doors and windows is cheap and easy to install.
Blackout curtains or blinds can block heat from the sun, especially on south and west-facing windows.
And don’t forget about those little gaps around pipes and wires entering your home – they add up!
Check Refrigerant Levels
This one’s definitely for the professionals, but it’s worth mentioning.
Your AC needs the right amount of refrigerant to cool efficiently.
Too little, and it works harder while cooling less.
Signs that you might have low refrigerant include weak cooling, ice forming on the refrigerant lines, or hissing sounds.
If you notice any of these, call a pro right away.
Unlike your car’s gas tank, air conditioners don’t “use up” refrigerant during normal operation.
If levels are low, it means there’s a leak that needs to be fixed.
Ignoring it will just lead to bigger problems and possibly permanent damage to your compressor, which is the expensive heart of your system.
Install Ceiling Fans to Support AC
Ceiling fans are your AC’s best friends.
They don’t lower the temperature, but they make you feel cooler by moving air across your skin.
This means you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and still feel comfortable.
Every degree you raise the thermostat can save you money on your energy bill.
I have ceiling fans in most rooms of my house, and I run them whenever I’m in the room.
Just remember to turn them off when you leave – fans cool people, not rooms, so there’s no benefit to running them in empty spaces.
Also, make sure your fans are spinning in the right direction for summer.
Most fans should rotate counterclockwise in warm weather, pushing air downward to create that cooling breeze.
Create a Maintenance Calendar
This last tip might seem boring, but it really helps.
Create a simple maintenance calendar so you don’t forget important AC care throughout the season.
Monthly tasks might include checking and changing filters.
Seasonal tasks include clearing debris from the outdoor unit and scheduling professional maintenance.
I keep mine on the refrigerator with magnets, but you could use your phone calendar, whatever works for you.
The point is to make maintenance routine instead of something you scramble to do when problems arise.
I even have a reminder set for when it’s time to start preparing for fall and winter.
Year-round care means fewer surprises and a longer life for your system.
Conclusion
Taking care of your AC before extreme heat hits is like putting on sunscreen before you go to the beach.
It’s way better to prevent problems than to deal with them when you’re already uncomfortable.
The tips we’ve covered aren’t complicated, but they make a real difference in how well your system handles those scorching summer days.
Some you can tackle yourself this weekend, while others might need a professional touch.
Either way, your future self will thank you when the temperature climbs and your home stays cool and comfortable.
Your energy bill will probably look better too, which is always nice.
Remember, your air conditioner works incredibly hard during summer.
A little TLC now means it’ll be ready when you need it most.
Stay cool out there!
