Key Takeaways
- Prepare for hot weather by planning ahead for a potentially hotter summer in 2026.
- Increase energy efficiency through proper insulation, efficient windows, and regular HVAC maintenance.
- Stay cool and hydrated during heat events, especially for vulnerable individuals like the elderly and children.
- Regularly check on neighbors and pets to ensure their safety during extreme heat.
- Implement a basic emergency plan for power outages and know where to go if your home becomes too hot.
Becoming more energy-efficient will lower your electric costs and help you relax all summer long. You should prepare for hot weather now. No seasonal outlook can tell us exactly how every week of summer 2026 will unfold. But NOAA’s latest forecast clearly leans warmer for our region, and that is enough reason for Texans to prepare for a long, hot season now, not later. A little planning in spring can mean a cooler home, fewer surprises on your energy bill, and a safer summer for the people who matter most.
Increased probabilities for above-normal temperatures
Texas summers are always serious. But the early outlook for summer 2026 suggests this year may lean even hotter than normal across the region. In its March 19, 2026, seasonal discussion, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center said above-normal temperatures are favored across much of the country and noted increased probabilities for above-normal temperatures in the south-central Plains and parts of the western Gulf Coast during June-July-August 2026.
For Texans, that matters for more than comfort. Extreme heat affects health, home energy use, and electricity bills simultaneously. It can also increase strain on the grid during peak afternoon and evening hours, when air conditioners are working hardest. ERCOT’s latest Capacity, Demand and Reserves report projects a summer 2026 peak load of 88,639 MW in its base case, with summer planning reserve margins of 18.3% at the peak load hour and 20.9% at the peak net load hour, underscoring how important preparation is before the hottest stretch arrives. Households should treat it as a reason to prepare early rather than wait for the first major heat wave.
What Texans should do to prepare for the summer of 2026
Start with the basics: assume your cooling costs could rise this summer and plan accordingly. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that cooling needs can often be reduced through a combination of proper insulation, efficient windows and doors, shading, ventilation, and smart thermostat settings. DOE also recommends setting a programmable thermostat to the highest comfortable setting in summer and raising the setpoint when you are away.
Give Your Home a Heat Season Check-up
It is also worth giving your home a heat-season checkup before temperatures spike. Change HVAC filters, make sure vents are clear, inspect weatherstripping around doors and windows, and close blinds or shades during the hottest part of the day. ENERGY STAR says heating and cooling account for a large share of household energy use, so small efficiency improvements can make a meaningful difference in both comfort and cost.
Start with your cooling system. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends scheduling regular maintenance for cooling equipment and keeping air intake vents clean and unobstructed to ensure your system moves air efficiently.
Just as important: have a backup plan for extreme heat days or outages. EPA advises households to prepare even if they have air conditioning, because a power outage can make cooling systems unusable at the worst time. EPA recommends keeping indoor spaces cooler, using fans carefully, and having a plan for what to do if the power goes out.
Use spring to get ready for summer.
Families should also take the health risks seriously. Ready.gov says extreme heat is among the deadliest weather hazards in the U.S., and the National Weather Service warns that older adults, children, expecting women, and people with chronic conditions are at higher risk during heat events.
Improve heating and cooling efficiency by as much as 20 percent
Look for easy efficiency wins around the house. ENERGY STAR says sealing and insulating ducts can improve heating and cooling efficiency by as much as 20 percent in some homes, especially when ducts run through places like attics, garages, crawlspaces, or other unconditioned spaces.
It also helps to think beyond the thermostat. CDC guidance recommends a simple framework for hot weather: stay cool, stay hydrated, and know the symptoms of heat stroke and heat-related illness. That includes using air conditioning or finding an air-conditioned location when needed, drinking fluids throughout the day, checking local HeatRisk forecasts, and having a plan for medications or medical devices that could be affected by heat or power outages.
If you care for children, older relatives, or neighbors who live alone, build them into your plan now. Adults 65 and older are more prone to heat-related health problems, should stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible, should not rely on a fan as their main cooling source when it is really hot, and benefit from regular check-ins during heat events. You even need to think ahead about pet safety in hot weather. Pet health and safety are real concerns during the summer months. Making sure all your animals can cool down is your responsibility as a pet owner.
A good Texas summer plan does not need to be complicated. It just needs to be real.
Start by asking a few practical questions now:
- Is your cooling system ready for long stretches of high heat?
- Do you know where you would go if your home got too hot or the power went out?
- Do you have water on hand and a habit of hydrating before you feel drained?
- Are you checking in on anyone who may be more vulnerable during extreme heat?
- Are you looking at HeatRisk before making outdoor plans?
If the answer to any of those is “not yet,” now is the time to fix it.
At Pogo Energy, we think the smartest move is to treat this forecast as an early warning. You do not need to panic, but you should prepare. A hotter-than-average summer can mean higher bills, greater strain on home equipment, and a greater health risk during long stretches of triple-digit weather. Taking a few steps now can make the months ahead safer, more comfortable, and more manageable.
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