We all have our own tips for staying cool when the weather warms up and the thermometer inches towards 100°. Finding a breezy spot at the beach with a cool drink, chief among them. But have you ever thought about how hot weather can have an impact on your home appliances?

Not surprisingly, refrigerators are not fans of hot, humid weather because high temperatures force them to work harder to keep cool (just think how hard it is for us to do our jobs in the heat). Fortunately, most newer models have the technology to withstand high temperatures but there are a few things you can do to make sure they’re running as optimally as possible.

Give it space. The fridge is the appliance most affected by the heat so to help it out leave a few inches of clearance between the wall and the refrigerator so air can circulate freely and better disperse heat from the condenser.

Keep it airtight. Over time, gaskets and seals can become leaky. To test your door, hold a piece of paper or dollar bill on the door frame and close the door. If you can pull it out easily, the seal or gasket may need replacing.

Clean the condenser coil regularly. If the coil gets too dirty it can cause the compressor to run hotter and longer, wearing it out prematurely or damaging it. Check your owner’s manual to see where the coils can be found and make sure to always unplug the fridge before cleaning.

Turn off the power saver. Though this may sound counterintuitive, if your fridge has a power saver, turn it off during hot and humid weather. The reason for this is that when this feature is on, it works by shutting off the heater that dries up moisture. And when it’s humid, condensation can quickly build up, making the door sweat and causing the gaskets to grow mildew.

And whether you have central AC or portable units, there are a few things you can do to make sure your AC stays cool to keep you cool this summer.

Close the curtains. Hot, direct light is the nemesis to all air conditioners. You can reduce the impact of the hot sun by closing shades and curtains in your home, which will help reduce the temperature.

Keep your exhaust hose straight. Making the hose as short and straight as possible will help prevent moisture from building up inside the hose and eventually trickling back into the unit, which could lead to damage. And periodically checking the hose to make sure there is no buildup will help prolong the life of the unit.

Keep the thermostat low. Fight the urge to lower the thermostat on your AC since a few degrees won’t make you drastically cooler though it will ease the strain on both your appliance and your wallet in the form of a lower energy bill.

Take advantage of fans. Any type of fan, but especially ceiling fans, can help keep cool air circulating through your home and reduce some of the burden on your AC. Just remember to make sure ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise during the summer, which creates greater air flow.

Better Housekeeping Shop is your one-stop shop to get cool this summer. We carry a range of different air conditioners, from portable ones to window units and accessories. And remember, we also have a Service and Repair department that is here for you should the warmer temperatures give your appliances some problems. Give us a call at 732-741-4310 or stop into the Shop and speak to one of our associates.