Preventative Professional Help
It is always a good idea to have a service pro come out before summer starts to give your system a check-up. Preventive costs are usually a fraction of repairs, so don’t sweat over paying the fee—or you may be sweating for real once the temperature rises.

Do It Yourself Maintenance
As for your own maintenance work, do these simple tasks once a month to ensure maximum performance from your air conditioner:

Check your unit for blockage and trim back any grasses, bushes or other obstacles that may interrupt airflow. Use a garden hose to flush out dust, dirt and leaves from the grill if necessary.

If you live in a humid climate, check the condensate drain of your system to make sure excess moisture is draining properly.

Check the filter. During hot weather, you should clean or change the filter at least once a month.