It’s only April, but San Antonio is already seeing temperatures in the mid to high 90s. Some parts of south Texas have already topped 100 degrees this year.

That means it’s time to make sure your San Antonio air conditioner is ready for the heat of the summer.

First, make sure your air conditioner is properly tuned. A professional tune-up for your AC unit is just as important as an oil change in your air car every three months. We recommend an AC tune-up twice a year: once before summer and again before winter. This keeps your system running efficiently and could help you avoid an AC repair down the road.

Second, remember to regularly change your air filters. Your air conditioner needs a steady flow of return air to keep your house cool. If the filter is dirty, that flow of air is blocked. Once the true summer heat kicks in, we recommend changing your filter at least once a month.

Finally, keep an eye on your thermostat. Remember to turn the thermostat up when you leave the house. Try to keep the thermostat around 78 degrees when you’re home. Every degree you drop below 78 is a 1-3% increase on your energy bill.

(Champion AC is offering a special right now on high-end air filters so you’ll be ready for the summer heat: 12 MERV-8 air filters for only $99. Call 210-699-0022 for more information.)