Summers in Arizona can be brutally hot, with temperatures frequently rising over 100° Fahrenheit. With that kind of heat, reliable air conditioning is a must. Before things get really hot this summer, here are five things to check on to make sure that your AC is ready.
1. Replace Your Air Filters
You should be cleaning or replacing your HVAC filters regularly throughout the year, but it is especially important before the summer hits. A dirty or clogged air filter will force your air conditioner to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature, and it could impede airflow if it gets dirty enough.
If you haven’t cleaned or replaced your air filters lately, now is the perfect time to do so. Keep in mind that since Arizona is a desert, there will be more dust in the air, which may require you to change your filters more often. In any case, replacing your filters regularly is one of the easiest yet most effective ways to prepare your AC for the summer.
2. Make Sure Your Air Vents Are Clear
Your air conditioner won’t do much good if your air vents are blocked. As you prepare your home for the summer season, make sure that you haven’t covered any of your vents and registers with furniture or general clutter. While you’re at it, wipe down your vents to remove any dust that may be impeding airflow. Your air ducts should also be cleaned at least once every three to five years, so schedule a cleaning if it’s been at least that long.
3. Clean and Inspect Your Condenser and Evaporator Coils
Your AC’s condenser and evaporator coils collect dirt and dust over time, which reduces heat transfer and makes your cooling system less effective. This is an even bigger issue in the desert where the air tends to be dustier than in other parts of the world. An HVAC contractor will inspect the coils and clean them if necessary, so schedule an inspection in the spring before it gets especially hot outside.
4. Check Your Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is the chemical component of your air conditioner that removes heat from inside your home and transfers it outside. Your refrigerant levels can deplete if there is a leak in your refrigerant lines. This will lower your AC’s efficiency and could become a safety hazard.
A refrigerant leak should only be fixed by an HVAC professional. A technician will check for leaks and replenish refrigerant levels during an inspection, but you should also call if you suspect a leak at any time. Signs of a refrigerant leak include reduced cooling in your home, hissing noises coming from your outdoor AC unit, and ice forming on your evaporator coils. A refrigerant leak can only be properly diagnosed by an HVAC professional, so call us if you suspect a problem.
Your condensate drain line should also be inspected before summer arrives. In Arizona, dust and debris can contribute to clogs that prevent moisture from draining properly. A blocked condensate line may lead to water damage, excess humidity, or automatic system shutdowns if your AC has a safety switch installed. During a professional maintenance visit, an HVAC technician can inspect and clear the drain line to help prevent problems during the hottest part of the year.
5. Clear Space Around Your Outdoor Unit
Your outdoor condenser unit should have at least one to two feet of free space on all sides, although three feet or more is ideal. Not only will this mean clearing out bushes and other plants growing around it, but it also means clearing any debris that may have blown on or near it. Look at your outdoor unit this spring before you have to rely on your air conditioner to keep cool, and check it periodically throughout the summer. It will almost certainly collect dirt and debris, especially during severe weather.
Call American Air Solutions for Your AC Maintenance Needs
Even if your air conditioner has worked without any problems in the past, you should never assume that it will work perfectly this summer. Summers in Arizona can be brutally hot, and you’ll likely be running your AC almost nonstop if you spent a lot of time indoors. Your AC will require regular maintenance to keep up with the desert heat. Fortunately, we at American Air Solutions will be happy to assist you. Call us to schedule an AC tune-up now before the heat rises if you haven’t already, or learn how you can save with our AC maintenance plans. Our technicians will complete a full inspection of your system and make sure it’s ready for the summer.
To learn more about our AC services in general and our AC maintenance plans in particular, contact American Air Solutions today. We serve homes in Sierra Vista, AZ and the surrounding areas, and we will be happy to assist you with all of your air conditioning needs.
