Florida summers are brutal on AC systems. In Cape Coral and Fort Myers, outdoor temperatures regularly hit 95°F+ with 80% humidity from May through September. That's five solid months of your AC running nearly 24/7. Systems that aren't properly prepared for summer often fail in July or Augustâthe absolute worst time for a breakdown.
Here's your essential pre-summer AC checklist for Southwest Florida homes, including what you can do yourself and when to call HomePros for professional service.
â DIY Pre-Summer Checklist (Do These in March-April)
Replace your air filter: In Naples and Bonita Springs, change filters every 30-45 days during summer. A clogged filter makes your system work 20% harder and reduces cooling.
Clear debris around outdoor unit: Remove leaves, grass clippings, and vegetation within 2 feet of your condensing unit. Airflow restrictions kill efficiency.
Check your thermostat batteries: Dead batteries mid-summer mean no cooling. Replace them now.
Test your system: Run your AC for 30 minutes. Does it cool properly? Any strange noises? Weak airflow? These are signs to call for service now, not wait until June.
What You Can't Do Yourself (Schedule Professional Service): Fort Myers AC systems need professional maintenance before summer. Your condensing coils get packed with pollen, dust, and debris over winter. Dirty coils reduce efficiency by 30% and cause compressor failure. Refrigerant levels drop over timeâlow refrigerant means weak cooling and expensive damage. Electrical connections loosen, capacitors wear out, and drain lines clog with algae in Florida's humidity.
â ď¸ Don't Wait Until May: Every Cape Coral HVAC company is slammed in May when everyone realizes their AC isn't ready. Schedule your spring tune-up in March or April to avoid 2-week wait times and ensure your system is ready before the heat hits.
Why Spring Maintenance Matters: An AC system properly serviced in spring uses 15-25% less electricity through summer. That's $150-300 in savings on your electric bills. Professional maintenance catches small problemsâlike a worn capacitor or low refrigerantâbefore they become $1,000+ emergency repairs in July. Systems with annual maintenance last 15-20 years. Without it, expect 8-10 years max.
At HomePros, our spring tune-up includes comprehensive refrigerant testing, coil cleaning, electrical inspection, drain line treatment, and performance verification. We use professional equipment to measure superheat, subcool, and amp drawsâthe critical indicators of system health that visual inspections miss. We'll tell you honestly if anything needs attention before summer, with no pressure sales tactics.
Hurricane Season Preparation: June 1st starts hurricane season in Southwest Florida. If a major storm knocks out power for days, your AC system's startup after restoration can fail if it wasn't properly maintained. We've seen it happen repeatedlyâsystems that were "working fine" before the storm won't restart after power returns because hidden issues finally surfaced under stress.