Change the filter and hose down the outdoor unit.

That covers 90% of what matters. The filter is the cheapest insurance for airflow and efficiency. The outdoor coil gets caked with dust, grass, and pollen over winter — a garden hose (no pressure washer) fixes that.

Anything beyond those two things is nice but usually not urgent unless you’ve got a specific problem. Don’t bother with refrigerant checks or “tune-ups” unless your unit is old or acting weird. Most pros will sell you a $150 inspection that amounts to “clean the coil and change the filter” anyway.

If your unit sits on a pad, make sure it’s level and the drain line isn’t clogged. That’s it. You’re ready for summer.

The indoor coil is harder to access and rarely needs cleaning unless you’ve been running dirty filters for years. If that’s you, call a pro. Otherwise, go hose down the box outside.