Preparing Your AC For Arizona Summer

Summer will be here before you know it, so it’s the perfect time to make sure your AC is ready to handle the heat. By preparing your AC for summer now, you’ll save on energy costs, prevent unexpected breakdowns, and stay cool and comfortable all summer long.

To prepare your AC for the summer heat, make sure you:

First, let’s look at three of the most common reasons your AC breaks down in summer. Then, we’ll dive into the details of how you can avoid those issues and prepare for the summer heat.

The best way to prepare your AC for summer is to schedule an annual maintenance visit with a reliable HVAC contractor.

During a maintenance visit (also called a tune-up or check-up), the technician will inspect the important components of your AC system to make sure they are working properly. In addition, the technician will clean and lubricate parts so that they operate efficiently.

With regular professional AC maintenance, you’ll get benefits like:

• Lower monthly energy bills
• More even, comfortable indoor temperatures
• Reduced chance of a breakdown mid-summer

When you hire a contractor to maintain your AC, ask them which parts they will inspect and clean. The more parts the technician maintains, the better.

During a typical AC tune-up, the technician should at least do the following things:

• Check the thermostat’s operation
• Check the defrost components and test them
• Clean the filter or replace it (you will need to supply the new filter)
• Inspect the contactors, relays, and circuit boards
• Inspect the disconnect
• Check the operating pressures
• Inspect the indoor blower and motor for dirt buildup
• Inspect the condensate drain
• Check the caps and start components
• Inspect the bearings and lubricate all moving parts
• Inspect the outdoor coil
• Inspect and test the safety switches
• Inspect the duct seal at the unit and secure the panels
• Inspect the indoor coil (only if it’s accessible and won’t disturb any seal on a cabinet)
• Check and document the superheat and subcooling in the refrigeration cycle
• Check the voltage and amperage of all motors and the compressor
• Inspect the wiring and tighten electrical connections
• Check and document the system temperature split
• Run and test the system
• Explain any necessary repairs

While your AC is running, it collects moisture from inside your home and funnels it outside via the condensate drain line. But if leaves and other debris are clogging the drain, water can back up into your home and cause severe water damage.

Water damage can be costly and challenging to deal with, so the best way to prevent it is to check your drain line. If it’s clogged, use a wet/dry vacuum to suck all the debris out of the line. Sometimes, the clog in the drain may be more severe, and you’ll need to call a professional HVAC technician to help you. They will have the proper tools and know-how to clear your drain line effectively.

Your home’s ductwork carries conditioned air to all its various rooms. If your ducts have leaks, holes, or loose connections, you can lose up to 20% of that conditioned air! And when the summer heat hits, you’ll want to make sure your ductwork keeps all the cool air sealed inside your home, where it’s supposed to be.

When you seal your ducts, more air-conditioned air will reach its intended destination. You'll reduce hot and cold spots and have a more evenly-cooled home. It will also improve your AC system’s efficiency, saving you money on energy costs this summer.

We recommend hiring an HVAC contractor to seal your ducts before summer starts. That way, your home will be ready to take on the heat, and your AC will be as energy-efficient as possible.

George Brazil has kept Phoenix-area homes safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient since 1955. If you need a reliable HVAC contractor you can trust, our technicians are committed to providing the same superior customer service that we are known for. We give upfront pricing and back up our honest work with a Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Ethics. Call (602) 842-0009 to schedule your same-day service!