How to Keep You and Your Pets Cool This Michigan Summer

Let’s assume you don’t like super hot weather.

Let’s also assume you have a cat and a dog, and they don’t like hot weather either.

At Harriman Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re here to help! We want to make sure your home remains comfortable for every member of the household—including those in the family that do tricks for treats.

July and August can bring some serious humidity and soaring temperatures in Metro Detroit. When the summer temperatures hit their peak, keeping your entire Farmington Hills, MI, household comfortable takes a little strategy.

Here are a few things you can do to keep your cool, keep your pets safe, and prevent your electric bills from skyrocketing.

Tips to Keep You Cool Inside and Out

Depending on the direction your home faces, it can quickly turn into a greenhouse during the day. Managing how heat enters your living spaces is the first step to staying comfortable.

Block the Sun

Sunlight streaming through your windows accounts for a massive amount of indoor heat gain. Get into the habit of closing your blinds and curtains during the hottest afternoon hours.

Use Fans

Ceiling fans are fantastic for making you feel cooler, but remember the golden rule: fans cool people, they don’t cool rooms. Turn them on when you are occupying a space to feel instantly cooler, but flip them off when you leave to save electricity.

All Clear

Keep your furniture and household clutter away from your cold-air returns. These vents—often located on your walls or floors—are vital for balanced airflow. Blocking them makes your air conditioner work twice as hard to do the same job.

Tips to Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy

Our furry friends feel the heat even more intensely than we do, especially since they can’t sweat to cool down.

Play It Safe Outdoors

Minimize walks during peak heat hours. Hot asphalt can burn sensitive paw pads and radiate heat directly onto your pet’s body.

If you head to a local Michigan lake or pool to cool off, supervise your pets closely, introduce them to the water gradually, and provide a life vest for boat rides. Always rinse them off afterward to remove harsh chlorine or lake bacteria, and never let them drink water from the pool or lake.

Watch for Loose Screens

If you are opening up the house to catch a morning breeze, ensure your upper-floor window screens are tightly secured. Unscreened or loose windows present a major fall risk for curious cats and dogs.

Additionally, keep pets away from backyard areas recently treated with summer lawn fertilizers or pesticides until they are completely dry.

Never Leave a Pet in a Car

Even with the windows cracked, the interior temperature of a vehicle can climb to fatal levels in mere minutes. Leave your pets safely at home in the AC.

Smart Summer Grooming

It is a common myth that shaving a dog helps them beat the heat. Never shave double-coated breeds. Their specialized coat acts as a natural insulator against both cold and heat while protecting them from sunburn. Stick to regular brushing for cats and light trims for long-haired dogs instead.

Frozen Pet Treats

Always provide plenty of fresh, clean water. For a fun, cooling indoor activity, make DIY frozen pet treats by freezing low-sodium chicken or bone broth into ice cubes.

Know the Warning Signs

Keep a very close eye on elderly, overweight pets, or flat-faced breeds (like Pugs and Persian cats), as they cannot pant efficiently. Watch out for these emergency heatstroke symptoms:

• Heavy, excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Bright red, purple, or blue gums and tongue
• Thick saliva, drooling, or glazed eyes
• Vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or collapse

If your pet shows signs of overheating, cool them down safely by applying cool (never freezing cold) water to their belly, armpits, groin, and the top of their head. Avoid ice water, as it causes blood vessels to constrict and actually traps heat inside their body.

Tips to Lower Your Electric Bills

You shouldn’t have to choose between a comfortable home and a reasonable energy bill. These simple maintenance steps will keep your HVAC system running at peak efficiency.

Clean the Outdoor Condenser

Your outdoor AC unit needs room to breathe. Check around the unit and clear away any encroaching bushes, weeds, or lawn debris. During Michigan summers, fluffy cottonwood seeds love to clog up these systems. Give the unit a gentle rinse with your garden hose, spraying from the inside out if possible, to wash away the buildup.

Check the Filter

A clogged air filter restricts airflow, forcing your system to consume significantly more energy to cool your home. Check your HVAC filter monthly during the peak summer season and replace it as soon as it looks dirty.

Adjust Your Thermostat

Aim for around 78°F when you are hanging out at home (paired with a ceiling fan for comfort), and bump it up when the house is empty. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, set a schedule so you don’t have to think about it.

(Don’t worry—with plenty of fresh water and circulating air, your furry friends will still stay perfectly safe and comfortable indoors at those slightly warmer temps!)

Stay Cool During Our Michigan Summer

Enjoy a safe, breezy, and cost-effective summer with your favorite pets. Harriman Heating & Air Conditioning has been helping homeowners and businesses in Farmington Hills, MI, and surrounding communities since 1996. For fast, reliable service, call us at 734-271-6200 or request service online.