AC Tips for Getting Through Louisiana Heat

A few simple habits — a clean filter, a clear outdoor unit, a reasonable thermostat setting, and a clear drain line — help a cooling system keep up during a long, humid Louisiana summer. When those habits aren't enough, it usually means something needs a technician's attention.

1. Change Your Air Filter More Often Than You Think

Humidity, pollen, and pet dander can clog a filter faster than in drier climates. A dirty filter restricts airflow, makes the system work harder, and can contribute to a frozen evaporator coil.

• 1-inch filters: often changed monthly in summer
• 4-inch media filters: often changed less frequently
• Homes with pets or allergies: check more often

2. Keep Your Outdoor Condenser Clean

Grass clippings, nests, leaves, and yard debris can block airflow around the outdoor unit and reduce how well it releases heat.

• Keep clearance around the unit
• Rinse the coils gently with a garden hose occasionally
• Trim back nearby landscaping
• Never stack anything on top of the unit

3. Don't Set Your Thermostat Too Low

Setting the thermostat far below a comfortable target does not cool the home any faster — it just makes the system run longer, and in humid conditions it raises the risk of ice forming on the coil.

A workable approach: pick a setting the system can hold steadily during peak heat rather than chasing a very low number.

4. Check Your Drain Line Regularly

Condensate volume is high during a long humid cooling season. If the drain line clogs — often from algae growth — water can back up and:

• Trigger a safety float switch that shuts the system off
• Cause water damage near the air handler
• Contribute to growth in the drain pan

Many homeowners flush the line periodically as a preventive habit.

5. Have the System Checked Before Peak Summer

A pre-summer visit typically checks refrigerant charge, cleans the evaporator coil, tests electrical components, verifies thermostat calibration, and flushes the drain line — all things that are easier to catch before the system is under maximum load. Our maintenance plan includes two seasonal tune-ups a year.

6. Consider Your Ductwork

In many homes, ductwork runs through a hot attic. Leaking, torn, or poorly insulated ducts can lose conditioned air before it reaches the rooms. Our AC repair team can evaluate whether duct condition is part of the problem.

Signs of duct problems:

• Rooms that never cool down
• Dusty vents
• Higher than expected energy use
• AC runs constantly but home stays warm