The summer weather in Phoenix is exceptionally hot. Air conditioner operating costs can skyrocket if you’re system is outdated, poorly maintained or simply being overworked. Arizona homeowners can incur quite a bit of costs if they’re not properly caring for their AC unit or it isn’t operating at optimal energy levels.
That’s why it’s important to understand how you can maximize the efficiency and performance of your air conditioning system without sacrificing comfort or increasing your electric bill. While there are plenty of ways you can maintain your HVAC system throughout the year, here are a some things you can do to prepare Phoenix air conditioners for the intense heat of the Arizona summer.
Maintain the Peak Condition of Your Phoenix Air Conditioner.
The hot air that’s outside is always looking for ways to take over the colder temperatures within the walls of your home. When a property makes it easy for outdoor weather to replace the cooler climate you’ve created, your air conditioner is forced to go into overdrive to keep the living area cool and comfortable. This is especially true towards the end of August when temperatures in Phoenix reach upwards of 120 degrees.
While the surroundings, landscape and architecture play a big role in your home’s ability to remain cool, you can give your AC unit additional relief this summer by following these simple tips:
1. If You Live in Phoenix, AZ, Tune-ups Are Essential:
First and foremost, preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your air conditioner operating at maximum efficiency. At the end of the day, local HVAC contractors know a lot more about Arizona cooling than you do. No matter how much effort you put into lowering your energy costs, expert advice will always improve system performance.
Inspecting ducts, cleaning the system and replacing small parts are minor adjustments that a professional service provides. One unseen malfunction or leak can easily create conditional HVAC problems – which may even lead to property damage. For example, a basic cleaning could help you avoid water damage from clogged ventilation (We’ll discuss this condensate problem more below).
Prevention Will Keep You Cool All Summer Long.
Whether your AC system is performing adequately or needs some work, routine maintenance will give you peace of mind and educate you along the way. When you think about it, having confidence in your cooling is a good feeling. At Canyon State, we take pride in our comfort plans. Our NATE-certified technicians work hard to tune-up AC equipment every spring to ensure it operates reliably and efficiently through the extreme summer heat.
2. Change the Air Filter in Your Phoenix Air Conditioner:
Another culprit of a strained air conditioner is dirty and clogged AC air filters. Sadly, many home and business owners in Phoenix forget to replace these on a regular basis. If you covet comfort, doing so is essential. Once an air conditioning filter is filled with dust and debris, the air isn’t passing through as good as it needs to. Weakend ventilation diminishes cooling capacity and hinders the quality of air you breathe.
Aside from performance, dirty filters can lead to a an early replacement. It doesn’t matter if you’re cooling a large commercial building or small residence. So if you’re not already doing so, make sure to change economy filters every month and pleated filters every quarter.
If you really want to improve efficiency, and your system has sufficient capacity, consider installing a minimum MERV 7 filter. Even though measures like this may be more costly, taking care of your air conditioner will eventually pay for itself.
3. Make Sure Cold Air Is Cooling the Phoenix Property:
Since we talk alot about the importance of quality doors and windows with proper seals for Phoenix homeowners, we wanted to point out a few other ways you can keep hot air outside. Over the years, we’ve found that a common cause of concern for HVAC systems in the desert is leaky ductwork.
Instead of funneling air directly into the rooms of your house, faulty ducts let cold air escape along the way. It’s like drinking a straw with a hole in it. You may be able to drink quite a bit of water, but you’re forced to work harder to fully quench your thirst. This same type of process creates an unnecessary burden on your AC system, affecting its performance and lifespan.
Why is This Important and What to Look For:
So if you want to prepare Phoenix air conditioners for hot Arizona weather, investing in a simple AC repair will save you a lot of money. When your ductwork and the perimeter envelope isn’t allowing a breach, your air conditioner will run fewer cycles, saving you money every single day.
Plumbing pipes, recessed light and electrical boxes are some common places to keep an eye on.
4. Check Your Air Conditioner’s Condensate Line:
Like we mentioned before, your condensate line or “condensate drain” is an important element of your heating and cooling system. It’s also a natural part of the refrigeration cycle. In a nutshell, the drain line helps you channel surplus moisture outside. So when it’s clogged, water will back up in the AC drain pain until it overflows.
Without this balance in the cooling system, it’s awfully hard to protect your home from water damage and accumulated contaminants due to stagnant water. When this isn’t addressed right away, you degrade the heat exchange process, accumulate repair costs, lower efficiency and decrease the lifespan of the AC unit.
Inspecting this before the heat wave arrives is a great way to prepare Phoenix air conditioner for hot Arizona weather.
Maximize Your Air Conditioner for Improved Performance
Efficiency and prevention is bigger than a a high priced cooling system. It’s why we spend so much time educating the community on proper upkeep and care. If you want to learn more about preparing Phoenix AC units for the summer, feel free to call one of our HVAC professionals at Canyon State Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.
