Summer in the Southeast is relentless! And if your air conditioner isn’t up to the challenge, you’ll feel it in your comfort and your wallet.

That’s why regular summer AC maintenance isn’t a luxury. It’s survival. Skip it, and you’re looking at skyrocketing costs, weak airflow, and a system that quits when you need it most. We at Lee Company have been keeping homes comfortable and energy-efficient for more than 80 years. Today, we proudly serve homeowners across Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia – bringing trusted service and smart solutions to every region we call home. Let’s dive into our best air conditioning tips for summer that’ll save you stress, sweat, and cash.

How to Prepare Your HVAC System for Summer

Your air conditioner is about to enter its busiest season. If it’s not maintained correctly, it’s only a matter of time before it struggles (or worse, fails) on a 95+ degree day. Preventative maintenance keeps your house reliably cool. But more than that, it reduces wear and tear, prevents costly breakdowns, and keeps your AC running as efficiently as possible.

Want to avoid an unexpected AC emergency? Here’s how to prep your system for the warm summer ahead.

1. Schedule a Professional Tune-Up

Think of a professional HVAC tune-up like an oil change for your car. You could skip it, but you’re playing a dangerous game. Regular seasonal inspections prevent breakdowns and help your equipment last about 40% longer.

And here’s something that might shock you: More than 65% of residential HVAC systems are improperly installed, leading to poor performance and wasted energy (energy.gov).

If your AC isn’t cooling efficiently, you might have inherited one of these problem units. A bad install is out of your control, but keeping it running at max efficiency isn’t. Regular maintenance gives your unit a fighting chance.

A Lee Company technician can inspect your system, find small issues before they become expensive repairs, and ensure it is installed and calibrated correctly for maximum efficiency. No guesswork. No sweating it out.

2. Change Air Filters Regularly

A clogged air filter is the fastest way to choke your HVAC system. Dirty air filters restrict airflow, make your AC work harder, and drive up your energy bill.

How often should you swap out air filters?

• Every month, if you have pets or allergies
• Every 2-3 months under normal conditions

A new filter is an affordable fix that could save you hundreds or thousands on bills and long-term damage. If your AC is struggling, check the filter first. It might be the simplest solution.

3. Inspect and Clean Air Ducts

Ever noticed a layer of dust on your furniture right after cleaning? Or felt like your allergies get worse when the AC kicks on? That’s your air ducts holding onto years of dust, mold, and debris and blowing it back into your home.

Clogged ducts also reduce airflow, making your HVAC system work harder for worse results.

Signs you need a duct cleaning:

• Weak airflow from vents
• Excessive dust around your home
• Frequent coughing, sneezing, or respiratory problems
• Unusual musty or moldy odors coming from vents
• Recent home renovations that generated dust and debris

Keeping ducts clean improves efficiency and indoor air quality. A professional cleaning every few years will help your AC run like it’s brand new instead of gasping for air like an out-of-shape marathon runner.

4. Check Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat controls when and how hard your AC works to cool your home. Set it wrong, and you’ll waste energy or make your house an icebox.

Turning your AC off when you’re gone can lead to a large temperature swing, requiring your system to work harder to cool the house when you return. Because of this, we recommend keeping your home at a comfortable and consistent temperature throughout the day to avoid higher energy costs and help maintain your system’s efficiency for a longer lifespan.

Better yet, upgrade to a smart thermostat, which can reduce total HVAC energy use by up to 10%. It automatically adjusts temperatures based on your lifestyle to save money effortlessly. Lee Company can install one for you, giving you full control over comfort and costs.

5. Clear Debris Around the Outdoor Unit

Your AC’s outdoor unit needs room to breathe. If it’s buried in leaves, dirt, overgrown shrubs, etc., airflow gets blocked, which forces the equipment to work harder and wear out faster. To keep it running efficiently:

• Keep at least 2 feet of clearance around the unit
• Remove leaves, dirt, and grass clippings regularly
• Hose it down to remove built-up grime

A clogged unit is a struggling unit. Struggling units break down when you need them most. Taking five minutes to clear debris could save you from sweating through a costly repair later.

Top Energy-Saving Tips for Summer

Air conditioning accounts for around 12% of all household electricity use. So, every degree, every fan, and every small change adds up. Here’s how to keep your home cool while keeping more cash in your pocket.

1. Use Ceiling Fans

Your ceiling fan isn’t actually lowering the room’s temperature. It’s tricking your body into feeling cooler. This is thanks to the wind chill effect, where moving air helps evaporate sweat faster, making you feel up to 4°F cooler without changing the temperature. But this only works if you set them right:

• Make sure fans spin counterclockwise in summer to push air downward.
• Turn them off when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not spaces.

2. Close Blinds and Curtains During the Day

Sunlight blasting through your windows can increase indoor temperatures by 10–15 degrees, forcing your AC to fight harder to keep up. Blocking that heat? Easy fix.

• Keep blinds, curtains, or shades closed during peak sunlight hours (10 AM – 4 PM).
• Use blackout curtains in sun-exposed rooms to reduce heat gain by up to 30%.
• Consider window films or solar shades for added protection against UV rays.

3. Avoid Heat-Generating Appliances During Peak Hours

Your oven, dryer, and stove aren’t just heating your food or clothes. They’re heating your entire house. Using these appliances in the middle of the day forces your AC to work harder, driving up energy costs.

• Use ovens, dryers, and dishwashers in the evening or early morning.
• Grill outside instead of using the stove or oven.
• Opt for air-drying clothes instead of running the dryer.

4. Seal Air Leaks

Gaps around doors and windows are like running the AC with a cracked window. Cold air leaks out, hot air sneaks in, and your system works overtime for nothing. Proper air sealing can cut cooling costs by up to 15%. Here’s how to stop it:

• Check for drafts around doors, windows, and attic access points.
• Seal gaps with weather stripping and caulk to keep cool air inside where it belongs.

A few dollars in supplies can stop leaks, reduce strain on your AC, and keep your home cooler for less.

5. Use a Programmable Thermostat

We already covered how smart thermostats can automate temperature adjustments for maximum efficiency, but even a basic programmable thermostat can help cut cooling costs without constant micromanaging.

• Set it to 78°F when home for a balance of comfort and efficiency.
• Raise it to 85°F when away to avoid wasting energy cooling an empty house.
• Program temperature schedules to match your routine.

Smart thermostats go further by learning your habits and adjusting automatically. Lee Company can install one for you to make saving energy effortless.

Common HVAC Problems & Troubleshooting Tips

Your AC isn’t invincible. Eventually, things do go wrong. Fortunately, not every issue requires an emergency call to a professional HVAC contractor. Some air conditioning problems have simple fixes that you can handle before calling in a pro.

If your air conditioner isn’t working, here’s what to check before dialing for backup:

AC Blowing Warm Air

If your AC is running, but not cooling, start with the basics:

• Thermostat Settings: Confirm that your thermostat is set to “cool” and not “heat” or “fan.”
• Dirty Air Filters: A clogged filter restricts airflow, making your AC struggle to cool. Swap it out.
• Frozen Evaporator Coils: Ironically, ice buildup can stop your AC from cooling. Turn off the system and let it thaw before restarting.
• Tripped Circuit Breaker: If the outdoor unit isn’t running, check your breaker panel. A tripped breaker means the compressor isn’t getting power.
• Low Refrigerant: If your AC still blows warm air, you might have a refrigerant leak. That’s a job for a pro.

Weak Airflow

If your AC is running but the air barely moves, here are some possible causes:

• Clogged Ducts: Dust, debris, or even mold can block airflow.
• Blocked Vents: Make sure furniture or rugs aren’t covering your vents.
• Dirty Evaporator Coils: When coils are caked in grime, airflow suffers.
• Leaky Ductwork: Small holes or gaps in ducts let cool air escape before it reaches your vents.
• Failing Blower Motor: If the blower fan isn’t running at full speed, it won’t push air through the system efficiently.

Start by vacuuming your vents and replacing the filter. If airflow is still weak, it’s time for a professional duct inspection or system checkup.

Frequent Cycling On and Off

Does your AC turn on and off like it’s got commitment issues? That’s short cycling, and it’s costing you money. Common culprits include:

• Dirty Filters: Yes, again. A clogged filter makes your AC work harder and cycles more often.
• Faulty Thermostat: If it’s misreading temperatures, it will tell the system to turn off too soon.
• Oversized AC Unit: Studies show that 50-70% of HVAC systems are oversized by 25-50%. That means they cool too fast, shut off, and then start up again, wasting energy and wearing out faster.

Replace the filter and check the thermostat settings. If the problem persists, schedule an HVAC assessment to determine if your system is the right size.

Unusual Noises

ACs aren’t silent, but they also shouldn’t be excessively noisy. If yours starts making noise, here’s what it means:

• Banging: Loose or broken parts inside the compressor.
• Squealing: A failing motor or belt issue.
• Hissing: Possible refrigerant leak. This can be dangerous. Contact a professional HVAC technician immediately.

Water Leaks

A little condensation is normal. A puddle around your unit is not.

• Cause: Clogged condensate drain line.
• Fix: Flush it with vinegar or use a shop vac to clear the blockage.

If water keeps pooling, it could lead to mold or system damage. Be sure to get any persistent issues checked out by a pro.

Stay Cool All Summer with Expert HVAC Service

Your AC can mean the difference between a comfortable home and a miserable summer. And when something goes wrong, you don’t want to waste time sweating it out, hoping for a DIY fix.

We at Lee Company have been serving homeowners for more than 80 years, and today, we bring our trusted HVAC expertise to communities across Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia. We know exactly what it takes to keep your system running smoothly – and your home feeling just right.

From seasonal tune-ups to emergency repairs and full system installs, our expert technicians have seen it all and fixed it all.

Want to make maintenance effortless? Our Home Maintenance Plan ensures your system gets regular checkups so you can avoid expensive breakdowns in the first place. Need a new unit? We offer financing options for qualified homeowners to make big upgrades easier on your budget.

Whether your AC needs a little help or a full replacement, Lee Company has you covered. Don’t wait until the heatwave hits. Contact us today and get ahead of the summer rush!