Back-to-School Comfort Tips: HVAC Edition for Georgetown & Round Rock, TX

When August rolls around in Central Texas, it’s more than just back-to-school season—it’s triple-digit heat season. In Georgetown and Round Rock, parents are juggling new schedules, school supplies, and endless drop-offs, while still trying to keep their homes comfortable and energy bills under control.

At McCullough Heating & Air Conditioning, we know a smooth school year starts with a comfortable home. Here’s our HVAC checklist to keep your family cool, your system efficient, and your wallet happy this back-to-school season.

1. Reset Your Thermostat for the School Schedule

When the kids are gone all day, you don’t need to keep the house ice-cold.
Pro Tip for Georgetown & Round Rock homes: Set your thermostat 4–6 degrees higher during school hours to save on cooling costs, then bring it back down just before the kids get home.

If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, you can set up an automated schedule so you never have to remember to adjust it.

2. Change Your Air Filters (Yes, Again)

Back-to-school means more dust, allergens, and pet dander as people go in and out all day. Dirty filters force your AC to work harder, which can cause breakdowns, especially in the late summer heat.

We recommend changing filters every 30–60 days in Central Texas. Not only does this improve your indoor air quality, but it also helps your HVAC system last longer.

3. Keep Up with HVAC Maintenance

The last thing you need in the middle of a busy school week is a surprise AC breakdown. Schedule a late-summer tune-up to catch small problems before they turn into costly repairs.

For Georgetown families, this is especially important because older homes in historic districts can have aging ductwork. Round Rock homeowners in newer subdivisions can also benefit—many systems run non-stop during the summer and need a quick check-up.

4. Create a “Homework Comfort Zone”

If your kids do homework in a specific room, make sure that space is getting proper airflow. Uneven cooling can make study time uncomfortable and unproductive.

• Check that air vents are open and unobstructed
  
• Use ceiling fans to improve airflow
  
• Consider a zoning system if certain areas of your home are consistently too warm or too cool
  

5. Watch for After-School Heat Buildup

Afternoons in Georgetown and Round Rock can still hit the high 90s well into September. South- and west-facing rooms can trap heat after school, making it harder for your AC to catch up.

Use blinds, curtains, or reflective film to reduce heat gain and take the load off your HVAC system.

6. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

If your family’s schedule is unpredictable—between sports, band practice, and after-school activities – a smart thermostat can be a game-changer. It learns your patterns, adjusts automatically, and even lets you control your home’s temperature from your phone.

Why McCullough is Your Back-to-School Comfort Partner

We’ve been keeping Georgetown and Round Rock families comfortable since 1977, and we understand the unique climate challenges of Central Texas. Whether you need a tune-up, air quality check, or a smart thermostat installation, our expert technicians can help.

Special Back-to-School Offer:
Book a maintenance visit this month and get $25 off any HVAC service – perfect for starting the school year cool and stress-free.

Final Bell: Don’t Let the Heat School You

A comfortable home helps your family focus, rest, and recharge. With a few smart HVAC moves, you can breeze through the back-to-school season without sweating the utility bill.

Call McCullough Heating & Air Conditioning at 512-790-7941or schedule your service online today.