Ways to prevent the Phoenix monsoons from forcing air conditioner unit repair

The National Weather Service has set the start of the Phoenix monsoon season as June 15th, and it officially goes until September 30th. As these monsoons arrive, it is understandable to be excited about the cooler temperatures. However, monsoon storms cause A/C units to work harder than during the dry summer months. Additionally, monsoon storms bring dust storms to the Phoenix area. These dust storms can have a devastating effect on the A/C units in the valley, but there are ways to protect your A/C from the harsh conditions. Take action, and you can help preserve your air conditioner and stay comfortable all summer long. 

Preventative Measures

Before the dust storms and monsoons arrive, preparing your A/C unit is the safest way to ensure your comfort during the storms.

First, clear your yard of any debris that may be blown into your outdoor unit. High winds will blow dust and debris into your outside unit, which causes damage and can affect the performance of the unit. Once your unit is not working at full capacity, it will begin to run up your electricity bills as it needs to work harder and longer to keep up with cooling. A safe way to prevent debris from blowing into your unit is to trim back some of the vegetation in your yard. With these large storms, it’s essential to minimize the chances of your unit breaking down unexpectedly. 

Another way to prepare for the Phoenix monsoons is to stock up on air filters before the storms arrive. During monsoon season it is best to switch out your air filters every 2 weeks or as needed when they are enduring multiple dust storms and heavy rains. This not only improves the air quality in your home but also helps your unit’s ability to run smoothly, saving you money.

You can also have a professional come and inspect your air conditioning system before the monsoon season arrives to make sure your unit is ready to brave the storms. Having an air conditioner unit repair before the monsoons might be your saving grace, so you’ll be relaxing comfortably in your home with a working A/C unit. 

During Monsoon Season

During the Phoenix monsoon season, continue checking your outside unit after each storm. If you see any debris, remove it to let your unit run optimally. Continue checking your air filters and replace them as needed. When a vent’s airflow feels weak, the dirt and dust it has collected are blocking the air from flowing through. This is the signal that your filter needs to be changed, or your air conditioning system will not run efficiently. 

Knowing your home’s electrical system can save you from making a call for service. These massive storms have been known to knock out the power in people’s homes. Typically, your circuit breaker protects your home’s electricity, but these storms can trip the circuit breakers. To help prevent a loss of power during these storms, turn off all unnecessary appliances to decrease the effects of the storm. If you lose power, check to see if your circuit breaker is the problem to avoid calling for service after the storm.

Due to the humidity that comes with these monsoon storms, there is more moisture in the air for your condensing unit (outside unit) to collect. It usually expels this collected water through the drain pipe (small PVC pipe near outside unit), but when the dust is involved, it can block the drain pipe. This causes the water to back up into your home and possibly cause water damage. It is possible to fix if you have a wet/dry vacuum. If you are unable to fix the backup yourself, call a professional to come to repair your unit. 

Arizona has a low precipitation rate, and therefore, many of the roads have not been designed to drain water very well. Flash floods may occur during these heavy storms, and if they occur near your home, your outside unit may be affected. If you encounter a flash flood and think your air conditioning system may have been damaged, after the storm has passed, call a professional to inspect the unit. Keeping A/C units in good health is the best way to guarantee your comfort this summer. 

If you need your air conditioner unit repaired, and you are unsure what the problem is, contact a professional to come to inspect it to keep your unit running properly.

Safety

For your personal safety during the Phoenix monsoons, prepare an emergency action plan (EAP). Create emergency kits with enough supplies for 72 hours that can easily be grabbed if you need to evacuate your home. Being prepared is one of the best ways to keep everybody in your family safe in case anything dangerous happens to your home.

If you are in a car and find yourself caught in the middle of a monsoon storm, stay safe by pulling over to the side of the road. Once you’re safely off the road, keep your seatbelt on, put the parking brake on, and turn off your lights. If you leave your lights on, other cars may see them and try to follow you. Instead, they will end up smashing into you, and nobody wants to be in a car accident during a monsoon.

If you are in a car and there is a flash flood, do not attempt to drive through any roads that are flooded. If you find yourself stuck in the water, climb out of the window and stay on top of the vehicle. Attempt to call 911 once you are safely on the top of your vehicle.