Living in Arizona means facing hot summers, which makes your air conditioner work overtime to keep you cool. Constant use can wear down your AC over time, leading to expensive repairs or a breakdown when you need it most. However, with proper care and maintenance, you can extend the life of your air conditioner and avoid the hassle and high costs of replacements.
Simple cleaning, using the correct thermostat settings, and scheduling regular maintenance can help keep your system running smoothly during the hottest months. At Air Control Home Services in Lake Havasu City, AZ, we’re here to help you maximize your AC’s performance so you stay cool all summer long.
Power of Shade: Protecting Your AC and Home
Planting trees and vines or installing awnings and shade sails can reduce the heat entering your home. Planting shade trees on the west side, where the sun is strongest in the late afternoon, helps block the sun’s rays and cools your home. This simple change also reduces the load on your air conditioning system.
You can also install reflective window films that block UV rays while still allowing beneficial natural light to enter your space. These films can reduce heat gain by up to 60 percent, making them a smart investment for homes in Arizona. Keeping your home cooler reduces the workload on your AC, prolongs its lifespan, and lowers energy bills.
Yearly Maintenance: Keep Your AC in Top Shape
To ensure your AC system lasts longer and operates in the Arizona heat, annual maintenance is essential. As your AC runs in triple-digit temperatures, it collects dirt, dust, and debris that can clog filters and impede airflow. An air conditioner with clogged filters and dirty coils must work much harder to cool your home, resulting in energy waste, higher bills, and unnecessary wear on the system. With professional AC maintenance, you can rest easy knowing your system is in great condition.
Schedule professional maintenance at least once a year, before summer. A technician will clean the coils, check refrigerant levels, and perform other necessary tasks to ensure your system runs. HVAC technicians should only perform maintenance. Yearly maintenance helps prevent expensive repairs, improves cooling efficiency, and keeps you compliant with the manufacturer’s warranty.
In hot climates like Arizona, it is especially important to keep up with maintenance since your air conditioner runs almost every day from June to September. Regular service ensures that your system is ready to handle the summer heat without significant issues.
Insulation: Unseen Protector of Your Home’s Coolness
Proper insulation is crucial for keeping your home cool and ensuring that your AC system runs in Arizona’s extreme temperatures. It helps maintain a steady temperature by preventing cool air from escaping and warm air from entering. If your home is lacking insulation, your AC will have to work harder to cool it, leading to higher energy bills. With the right insulation, you can stay comfortable without overworking your AC.
Begin by checking the insulation in key areas of your home, particularly in the attic. Since heat rises, your attic is where you will lose the most cool air if it is not insulated. Adding or upgrading attic insulation can improve the temperature regulation of your home. If you live in a multi-story house, be sure to consider the walls and floors between rooms as well. Insulated walls and floors help retain cool air and prevent heat from entering your living spaces.
In addition to adding insulation, seal any cracks or gaps around windows, doors, and ducts. Even small leaks can make your air conditioner work harder. Caulking and weatherstripping are easy solutions that help create a tight seal and maintain your home’s internal temperature.
Airflow Management: Let the Cool Air Flow
Good airflow is essential for a working air conditioner, especially in intense heat. Without proper airflow, your system struggles to distribute cool air, making your home uncomfortable and causing the unit to overwork. To improve airflow, clear any obstructions like furniture or curtains from vents and registers. If you have ceiling fans, adjust them to enhance the circulation of cool air. Simple adjustments can improve both comfort and efficiency.
In Arizona’s climate, it’s important to clean your ducts. Over time, dust and debris accumulate in your ducts, obstructing airflow and spreading allergens. Having a professional duct cleaning every few years keeps your system running and ensures that cool air flows throughout your home.
Don’t forget to check the filters in your air conditioner. Clean filters improve airflow. If your air conditioner is in an attic or another dusty area, you might need to replace the filters more often. Maintaining proper airflow is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your AC system running.
Avoid Overuse: Know When To Take a Break
In Arizona, it might be tempting to run your air conditioner all summer. However, doing so can cause wear and tear on the system. Although your air conditioner can withstand the heat, constant use without breaks can reduce its lifespan.
If your home feels too warm even with the AC running, check if your thermostat is set too low. Setting the temperature too low can make your system work harder than necessary. Try setting your thermostat to a more reasonable temperature, like 78°F. This keeps your home cool while preventing the system from running nonstop.
Another way to prevent overuse is by using a programmable thermostat. This device allows you to adjust your air conditioning when you’re not at home or when you’re sleeping. For instance, you can increase the temperature while you’re at work or during the night, and then cool your house back down before you return home or wake up.
Bring In Smart Tech
Smart thermostats are a game-changer for managing your AC in Arizona’s heat. You can control your home’s temperature from anywhere, even when you’re not at home. Many of these devices learn your schedule and adjust. For example, your thermostat can raise the temperature while you’re at work and cool down right before you get home.
Take Care of Your AC Today
Taking the right steps to care for your air conditioner can impact its lifespan, especially in Arizona’s extreme heat. Regular maintenance, proper settings, and proactive repairs can all help keep your system running. If you want to ensure your AC runs, Air Control Home Services is here to provide expert cooling services and advice. Let us assist you in staying cool for years to come. We also offer expert HVAC services, plumbing repairs, electrical installations, and advanced air quality systems.
