Last July, as the sun blazed down and turned my apartment into a sauna, I started noticing something off with my air conditioner. It was working—sort of—but the cool air felt more like a half-hearted breeze, and there was a faint buzzing sound I couldn’t ignore. With Summer still a few months off, I’ve had time to reflect on that sweaty ordeal. Here’s my story of figuring out the signs your air conditioner needs repair—hopefully, it’ll save you from a similar fate when the heat hits.

As winter tightened its grip last month, I found myself huddled under a blanket, staring at my old heater. It was making a rattling noise that sounded like a tin can full of marbles, and the heat output? Barely enough to warm my hands, let alone the room. With the current date being February 25, 2025, and the chill still lingering, I decided it was time to roll up my sleeves and tackle some DIY heater maintenance. Spoiler alert: it’s easier than you think, and I’m here to walk you through it.