Getting ready for summer

What you can do yourself

1. Change the air filter. A clogged filter chokes airflow and makes the system work harder. Check it monthly through the summer, and again after a dust storm.
2. Clear around the outdoor unit. Trim plants back, pull weeds, and move anything stored against it. Give it about two feet of open space on every side so it can breathe.
3. Rinse the outdoor coil. Turn the power off first at the disconnect box beside the unit. Then spray the fins gently with a garden hose from the outside in. Never use a pressure washer; it bends the fins.
4. Check the condensate drain. Find the drain line by the indoor unit (often in the attic or a closet). If you see standing water or a full drain pan, call us before summer.
5. Test it before you need it. On a warm spring day, run the AC for a while. Cool air should come from every vent, and it shouldn't make new noises. Better to find a problem in April than in July.
6. Check the thermostat. Replace the batteries if it uses them, and set a schedule so the house isn't fully cooled while it's empty.
7. Open every vent and keep returns clear. Furniture and rugs over vents or return grilles restrict airflow.
8. Set ceiling fans to counterclockwise. That pushes air down, so the room feels cooler at the same thermostat setting. Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave.
9. Block the afternoon sun. Blinds, shades, or solar screens on west- and south-facing windows cut the heat your AC has to remove.
10. Know your power plan. APS and SRP both offer time-of-use plans that charge more during peak hours. If you're on one, cool the house a little extra before peak starts, then let the temperature drift up a few degrees until it ends.

What a professional tune-up covers

Some of the most important checks happen inside the equipment and need a technician with the right tools. A tune-up should include:

• Cleaning the outdoor coil properly and checking the indoor coil.
• Checking refrigerant pressures and temperatures.
• Testing electrical parts such as the capacitor and contactor, which are common summer failures.
• Clearing the condensate drain and checking the drain pan and any safety switch.
• Checking airflow, the blower, and the thermostat's operation.

Schedule it in spring, before demand peaks. Ask us about our comfort memberships, which put maintenance on a schedule so you don't have to remember.

Signs to call us now

Is your system ready for another summer?

If your system struggled last year, it's worth deciding before the heat whether to repair or replace. Our guide Repair or replace? walks through the questions, and the SEER savings calculator shows what a more efficient system could save.

Common questions

When should I schedule an AC tune-up?

In spring, before the heat sets in. That is when a technician can catch a weak part before it fails on a 110° afternoon, and when appointments are easiest to get.

How often should I change my air filter in summer?

Check it every month while the AC is running hard, and replace it when it looks gray or clogged. Dust storms load filters faster, so check again after a big one.

Is it OK to close vents in rooms I don’t use?

It is better to leave them open. Closing vents does not make the system cool less; it raises the pressure in the ducts, which can push air out of leaks and make the system work harder.