Heat Wave Survival: How to Protect Your Home and Stay Cool During Extreme Temperatures

When a heat wave hits the Midwest, air conditioners get pushed to their limits and homeowners scramble to stay safe and comfortable. At Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we service thousands of homes each year across the Chicago area, and during weeks like this, we know how critical it is to keep your cooling system running smoothly.

Here are expert-backed, actionable tips to keep your family cool and your system protected during a summer heat wave.

1. Understand Your AC’s Limits

Fact: Most air conditioners are designed to maintain a 20°F temperature difference from outside.

If it’s 98°F outside, don’t expect your home to cool to 68°F. Set your thermostat to a reasonable goal like 75–78°F and keep it steady.

2. Change Your Filter

A clogged air filter is the #1 cause of AC strain and inefficient cooling.

• Replace filters every 30–60 days during the summer, especially during heavy use.
• Dirty filters restrict airflow and can cause your coil to freeze, especially in extreme heat.

3. Clean Around Your Outdoor Condenser

Leaves, grass, mulch, or fencing too close to the unit can cause heat buildup and reduce system performance.

• Keep 2–3 feet of clearance on all sides of your condenser.
• Spray off dirt and dust gently with a hose.

4. Don’t Crank the Thermostat Lower

Turning your thermostat way down won’t cool your home faster. It just makes your system run longer and may cause a breakdown.

Instead:

• Use ceiling fans to circulate air.
• Close curtains and blinds during peak sun hours (11am–4pm).
• Avoid heat-generating appliances like ovens and dryers.

5. Schedule a Pro Tune-Up or Emergency Repair

If your system is running non-stop or not keeping up, don’t wait until it breaks down.

At Four Seasons, we offer:

• Same-day emergency AC service
• Heat wave priority scheduling
• Full system tune-ups to prevent breakdowns
• Up-front pricing and service you can trust

Bonus Tip: Stay Cool Without Overloading Your AC

• Sleep with cotton sheets
• Freeze water bottles for bedtime
• Take cool showers throughout the day
• Use basement areas if available (they’re naturally cooler)

Serving the Chicago Area 24/7

Whether you’re in Naperville, Oak Lawn, Elgin, or Northwest Indiana or anywhere in the greater Chicagoland area we’re ready to help! Thousands trust Four Seasons for fast, affordable, expert HVAC service, especially when extreme weather strikes. With over 30,000 5-star Google reviews and an A+ rating from the better Business Bureau, Four Seasons is the leading authority for heating air conditioning, plumbing and electric.

Book your AC service now before the next outage hits.