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AC MAINTENANCE TIPS TO GET READY FOR THE BRUTAL PHOENIX SUMMER

APR 03, 2018

During the summer months in Phoenix, Arizona, you need to be able to count on having your air conditioner working. When it does not work right, you will certainly feel the heat. Summers can really be unbearable, but making sure your air conditioner will work through the summer may simply mean that you need to get it ready by reviewing and enacting these simple AC maintenance tips.

AC MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR YOUR HOME’S AIR CONDITIONER

Being proactive and ensuring that you follow these steps could mean the difference between a cool home and a frustrating, even dangerous situation.

CLEAN THE FILTER

Because of dust that may be in the air in your home, your air conditioning filter can become clogged. This is especially true if you have pets in the house. In most cases, the air filter should be changed about once a month – unless you are running your air conditioner most of the time.

Taking time to replace your filter on a regular basis will help you enjoy cleaner air and a lower energy bill. With the different filters available, you could also cut down on the amount of allergens in your home, letting you and your family breathe easier.

ELIMINATE DIRT FROM YOUR COILS

The outside air conditioner unit can become clogged with dirt and dust, especially if there has been a recent dust storm, which Phoenix gets every now and then. If the fins surrounding your AC unit become clogged, it makes your air conditioner work harder than normal, and this can shorten its lifespan. You can also be sure that it will mean a larger energy bill, too.

You can wash away dust and dirt from the coils with water from a hose. A brush can also be used to brush away dirt, or you may also use a vacuum cleaner.

If the dirt is not easily removed, you can remove the top of the unit – after you have turned the power to it off. This will let you spray water from the inside through the coils. Be careful not to spray the electrical components inside.

TRIM SHRUBS AROUND THE UNIT

Your home air conditioner unit needs to have air flowing around it for best operation. If bushes or the leaves from other plants are too close, it can restrict the flow of air – which will also make it work harder. One of our most important AC maintenance tips is to clear out all plants, leaves, and other objects that are within two feet of the unit.

CHECK THE FINS ON THE UNIT

If several of the metal fins on your unit become bent, it can block the flow of air through it. You can contact an air conditioner repair service and they can straighten them out for you. This will enable the air to flow smoothly through the unit, helping it to cool more efficiently.

EXAMINE THE COOLANT LINES

The lines that run to and from your compressor should have insulation on them. This helps the lines to lose less heat. If you discover that some of the insulation is missing, you can replace it. It can easily be cut to size and trimmed with a utility knife. You may also use insulating tape.

LOOK OVER THE DUCTWORK

Over time, the seals on your ductwork can come off or joints can open up. This means that your cold air is going to leak into spaces that you had no intention of cooling. When that happens, you will have some rooms that are cooler than others.

It also means that your energy bill is going to be higher than it needs to be because it will take longer to cool your rooms. In fact, the air conditioner may need to run all day just to keep up with the extreme heat, and because of the cool air that is being lost. This is especially true if the leak in your ductwork goes into the room where the thermostat is located.

The leaks need to be sealed properly so that they will stay that way for a long while. Before sealing it, look inside to be sure there are not any objects blocking the flow of air. If there is a lot of dust, you need to remove it, otherwise it will blow it into your living spaces once the leak is repaired.

Also make sure that the insulation on your ductwork is in place. If your ductwork is going through a hot attic and is not insulated well, it will lose its ability to adequately cool the room before it arrives.

CHECK YOUR VENTS

If a room does not cool like other rooms, check to ensure that the vent is open. It is also possible that something may be blocking it, such as a curtain, a piece of furniture, or some other object.

TEST THE THERMOSTAT

Before the heat wave begins in Phoenix Arizona, you want to be sure that your air conditioner is working. Turn the thermostat temperature down so that it comes on. If it does not turn on shortly – in a few seconds – you should have it looked at by a professional.

In some cases, it may only mean you need a new thermostat. If you do not have one already, you may want to get one that is programmable. This type of thermostat will let you run the AC unit less while you are out of the house, and it can start cooling it before you return.

LISTEN FOR ABNORMAL SOUNDS

After you turn the thermostat on so that the unit is running, you want to go outside and listen to the motor. It should be running smoothly and not making any unusual noises. If there are unusual sounds coming from the unit, be sure to contact an AC repair company to fix it before you really need it.

Be aware that it may take some time for parts or replacement units to arrive and to have them installed. This means you want to perform these checks and tests before it starts getting hot.

FEEL THE COOL AIR

With the unit running, go back inside and make sure that you have cool air blowing through the vents. This will help you to know that it is actually working and not just the fan running.

WEATHERIZE YOUR HOME

In order to lower the cost of your heating bill even more, if they have been quite high, be sure to weatherize your home. Adding insulation around your doors and windows will help keep the excess heat out and your costly cooled air inside. Adding a ceiling fan or two will circulate the air so that it feels cooler.

If you live in Phoenix, Arizona and need air conditioning service, you can contact the Donley Service Center. Our expert technicians gladly repair, maintain, or replace your air conditioner components to keep you cool, and you can call 24/7. Contact us today at (602) 787-3956 for more information or service.