Summer is just around the corner — and that means the heat is on its way too. While summer is enjoyable when you’re at the beach or having a nice picnic, hot summer days can be miserable if your home isn’t properly cooled. So it’s important to make sure your house is prepared to handle the heat. Consider these few tips to keep you and your family cool this summer.

Plant some shade trees: If you’re someone who enjoys gardening and landscaping in spring, then you may want to consider planting your trees and shrubbery strategically. While it may seem like greenery won’t do much to help keep your home cool, a well-placed tree can actually make a big difference in keeping you cool. By planting shade trees in particularly sunny areas on your property, you can enjoy some added shade to your home and some added beauty to your property at the same time.

Maximize airflow: For cool air to flow properly throughout your home, you should have everything as open as possible. This may mean keeping doors open, ensuring registers are open, and getting your ceiling or floor fans ready. To ensure airflow is maximized, you should make sure any furniture that may be blocking vents is moved. Additionally, you may want to make sure all of your windows are in good shape so you can keep them open on those cool summer nights. With the right air flow, you can be sure to enjoy a cool, comfortable home this summer.

Get your HVAC maintenance done early: Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to keep up with their HVAC maintenance. But the reality is that to keep an HVAC system working as efficiently as possible, you should have maintenance inspections done twice a year. Preventative HVAC maintenance, and HVAC repair if necessary, is key to ensuring your air conditioner starts up without a hitch when summer arrives. If you fail to have your cooling system serviced now, you may end up facing a broken unit when you go to turn on the AC. So to avoid being left in the heat, get your HVAC system looked at now.

Lack of preparation can be detrimental when it comes to preparing for the summer heat. But if you follow these tips, you’re sure to have a nice cool and comfortable summer.