Pre-Summer Home Maintenance Checklist: Get Your Home Ready for the Warmer Months

Summer has finally arrived, and with it some warmer temperatures! This means that now is the perfect time to give your home a little attention. A few simple maintenance checks can make a huge difference to comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency — especially in Southland, where temperatures can swing between cool mornings and hot afternoons.

Here’s your essential Pre-Summer Home Maintenance Checklist, designed to help you stay comfortable, keep power bills in check, and protect your home during the warmer months.

Service Your Heat Pump for Summer Cooling

Your heat pump has probably worked hard all winter — so before switching it to cooling mode, give it a little TLC.

A pre-summer service ensures:

• Better cooling performance
• Lower running costs
• Cleaner, healthier air
• Reduced risk of breakdowns during hot spells

Make sure filters are cleaned, coils are checked, and the unit is ready to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long.

Book your heat pump service here.

Check Your Heat Pump is on the ‘Dry’ Setting

Your heat pump has a setting for Cool and one for Dry.  We recommend the ‘Dry’ setting – not only will this keep your home cool, but it also helps to reduce humidity. 

Check Your Insulation (Yes, Even in Summer)

Good insulation helps keep heat out, not just in.

If your home heats up quickly during the day, or feels stuffy even when it’s cooler outside, your insulation might not be doing its job. Check:

• Ceiling insulation for gaps or sagging
• Underfloor insulation for missing sections
• Whether walls still feel hot to the touch

Upgrading insulation reduces heat gain in summer and keeps your home naturally cooler –  not only keeping you cooler, but saving you money on cooling.

Inspect Your Windows and Glazing

Windows play a huge role in keeping your home cool.

Look for:

• Draughty or poorly sealed frames
• Single glazing that heats up rooms
• Condensation issues (even in summer)
• Hot sunlight streaming through certain windows

Upgrading to modern double glazed windows and doors can significantly reduce heat inside the home, improve comfort, and protect your furnishings from UV damage.

Tip: Use UV-blocking blinds or thermal curtains to help keep temperatures down on scorching days. You can also add shading outside to stop that sun streaming in!

Improve Ventilation & Airflow

Fresh, dry air is essential in summer — especially when homes are closed up during holiday trips or long workdays.

Check:

• Extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens
• Window latches and seals
• Whether your home feels damp or musty after cold nights
• If rooms feel stale or lack airflow

A good ventilation system helps remove moisture, reduce odours, and keep indoor air healthy — all while supporting your heat pump’s efficiency. Make sure you are opening windows at cooler times of the day, encouraging air flow through the house.

Switch to Energy-Efficient LED Lighting

Summer means longer evenings — but when the lights do go on, make sure they’re not adding unnecessary heat or costs.

LED lighting:

• Produces less heat
• Uses significantly less power
• Lasts much longer than traditional bulbs

It’s one of the quickest and cheapest upgrades you can make heading into summer.

Check Your Hot Water System

Summer is the perfect time to ensure your hot water cylinder or heat pump hot water system is performing efficiently.

Look for:

• Leaks
• Warm pipes (indicates heat loss)
• Missing insulation wraps
• Rising water bills

A quick check now can prevent expensive surprises later — and keep your water heating costs under control.

Prepare Outdoor Areas

It’s not all indoors! A few quick fixes outside can protect your home during the warmer months:

• Clear gutters of spring debris
• Trim trees and shrubs away from heat pumps
• Check decking, cladding, and paintwork for summer sun exposure
• Ensure outdoor heat pump units have plenty of airflow

A little exterior maintenance helps extend the life of your home — and your heating/cooling systems.

Get Your Home Summer-Ready with Awarua Synergy

Whether you’re in Invercargill, Winton, Gore, Te Anau, Riverton, Bluff, or Mataura, our team is here to help you prepare your home for the warmer months ahead. From heat pump servicing and insulation upgrades to double glazing, ventilation and LED lighting, we can help you create a home that’s cooler, healthier, and more energy-efficient this summer.

Book a free home assessment today and get personalised advice for your home.