As the summer heat scorches the region, many residents are relying heavily on air conditioning to stay cool, and for some, that reliance is being tested.

When the A/C goes out in this kind of weather, it’s more than an inconvenience, it’s a race against the rising temperatures.

That’s where crews like Johnny Hartmann’s come in.

Hartmann, from Hartmann's and Esposito Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, says they’ve been swamped.

“Fugget-about-it, we been getting calls every day,” Hartmann said.

Phones have been ringing off the hook as people seek help for air conditioners that just can’t keep up with the demand.

“It’s a machine, it’s always going to break,” Hartmann added.

On Monday, his crew was out on emergency calls, fixing everything from broken thermostats to clogged coils.

“The only problem with this was the thermostat on this job,” he said while onsite, checking gauges and inspecting equipment.

Residents were eager to find relief, with temperatures and humidity climbing.

Hartmann offered advice for homeowners trying to prevent mid-summer breakdowns: service your units before the heat sets in.

“Check everything out, hook the gauges up and check the coils,” he advised.

And when it comes to daily use, one of the best tips is simple: don’t turn your system off when you leave.

“Set it and forget it, ya know,” Hartmann said, recommending people keep the A/C running to avoid overloading the system later.