It’s finally that time of the year when the hot Southwest Arizona sun begins to beat down and seemingly doesn’t stop for six months or longer. This is when A/C maintenance should be at the forefront of every homeowner’s mind. But are you ready to flip your HVAC system’s switch to “cool”?
DIY techniques
Before you begin running your A/C on a continuous basis, follow these quick tips to make sure that everything runs smoothly:
- Check your cooling system’s air filter – An A/C or heat pump’s air filter over time will clog up with dirt unless it’s changed or cleaned. This can seriously compromise system airflow, forcing your equipment to work harder and use more energy. Install a new air filter for the start of cooling season, and make sure you inspect it on a monthly basis. Just change it when it looks dirty (probably every one to three months).
- Check your outdoor unit – Too often, homeowners concentrate on the A/C unit inside their home. They don’t even consider the fact that an outdoor unit exists. This exterior equipment can easily get bogged down by leaves, grass or other debris that has blown onto it. Clear away these materials, and spray it down with a water hose occasionally.
- Check your interior registers and grilles – Registers can become blocked by furniture, curtains, rugs and other objects. This greatly reduces the overall efficiency of your air conditioning system.
Hiring a professional
With our brutal Southwest Arizona summers, it’s imperative that your A/C system is operating safely and reliably. If you really want to make an impact on your system’s performance, annual A/C maintenance plays a crucial role. Hiring a professional HVAC technician will ensure that your system is operating at peak performance. He or she will inspect your system, evaluate its performance, and advise you of any potential problems that are found.
If you’d like to receive expert advice on hiring an HVAC contractor, or for any questions relating to home comfort, please contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We have been serving the HVAC needs of Yuma and the surrounding area since 1952.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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