Written on: May 11, 2026

Central Air Conditioning Maintenance

Easy DIY Summer Prep—and Tasks to Leave for the Pros

Spring has been a rollercoaster, and it felt like you’d never want to turn on your AC, despite flirting with 90-degree temps in April. Even though the start of May sent everyone back into sweaters (and even jackets!), making sure your air conditioning system is tuned up and ready to go should be near the top of your spring-cleaning list—right there with clearing the gutters and getting the grill ready.

A professional tuneup is usually required to keep warranties valid. And there are certain maintenance tasks best handled by an expert. But there are some easy steps you can take to help ensure your system is ready to go when the weather warms up—and can alert you to problems so you can have us address them before the heat kicks in.

4 DIY Tasks

Here are 4 easy tasks to tackle before you turn on your air conditioning system:

1. Check your thermostat. Replace the batteries and be sure it’s set to the right temperature. Make sure it’s set to maximize efficiency, or upgrade to a smart thermostat if you haven’t already.
2. Clear vents. Make sure furniture, carpet, or drapery is not blocking vents, and make sure they’re dust-free.
3. Replace filters. You should change or clean the filters in your air conditioner every 45 to 90 days. Depending on when you turned off your system for the season, you may need to do that now.
4. Inspect the outdoor unit. Look for signs of damage and clear leaves, twigs and other debris that block air flow.

Got Pets?

Even small pets like hamsters and rabbits shed fur and dander that can wreak havoc on your HVAC system. It can make air quality uncomfortable for people with allergies, too. But we love them just the same. Here are three easy ways to help protect your HVAC systems from the fuzz.

1. Groom often—ideally outside! Brushing your furry pet regularly is the best way to keep fur and hair out of your HVAC system.
2. Replace filters more often. More frequent vacuuming will help your filters last longer, too.
3. Add a fence around the outdoor unit for your AC system. If your pets mark their territory by peeing, the urine will damage your equipment. And if they rub up against it, their fur will get directly into the unit, and also into your HVAC system.

Schedule a Tune Up

These steps can help ensure your system can perform if we get an early heatwave, but there’s no substitute for regular professional maintenance. During a professional tuneup, our techs follow a 15-point check of internal parts like motors and blowers, refrigerant levels, and condensers.

A professional tune-up ensures your system is running at peak efficiency. It will also prevent or correct problems you might not notice, like a blocked drain line, which can lead to bigger, more expensive problems if left unchecked. Have a service plan with us? Your tune-up is included.

Ready for Summer?

When it comes to keeping your cool, high energy bills don’t help. With electricity prices spiking, making sure your air conditioning system is performing efficiently will help you stay comfortable while keeping your energy bills under control. Find out why so many homes and businesses across Long Island trust their comfort to Swezey.

Contact us for more information or to schedule your AC maintenance today.