Some Fall HVAC Advice for Homeowners in Tucson and Phoenix
Your air conditioner has put in a hard summer’s work. Now you are left to figure out how to put your home in order for the cooler weather, and whether or not your system is up to the task of what is to come.
We at Alaskan Air Conditioning & Heating have been in the business of keeping homeowners in the Tucson and Phoenix area at ease since 1972. Should any questions about your HVAC arise this fall, we can be reached at (520) 214-0423.
There is something of a difference between an Arizona fall and one in the rest of the country. The summer here puts cooling systems through their paces, but the mildness of autumn affords you a good opportunity to make ready before winter sets in. We have put together a few tips of a practical nature to see that your equipment is protected and your home remains comfortable.
The Importance of Fall Maintenance in Arizona
Your AC has had its run of near constant use and is due for a respite. Still, some attention to the entire system is advisable before you put the heating on. With the weather being mild and the equipment not overworked, it is as good a time as any for maintenance.
For an Arizona home this season is significant for a number of reasons:
- Months of operation can leave your AC with some wear
- You will be turning to your heater in short order as the nights get cooler
- There is a build up of dust and debris from the summer
- It is better to put an end to small issues than face major repairs down the road
- Efficiency is something a well tended system will provide
Attend to these matters and you will not be taken by surprise on the first cold night.
Put in New Air Filters
One could argue it is the most important thing to do, and certainly the easiest. When a filter is clogged your system has to exert itself, putting undue strain on the equipment and raising your energy bill. In the months of heavy use they can go bad in no time.
Make sure to inspect them and put in a new one if necessary; a lot of homeowners overlook it yet it shows in the comfort and efficiency of the home.
An Early Test of the Heater
You would not want to find out there is something wrong with your heater when the year’s first freezing night comes around. Fall allows you to put it to the test beforehand.
Put the heat on for a while and observe. Be on the lookout for:
- Any odd smells that do not dissipate after a few minutes
- Rattling or banging
- Vents with little or uneven airflow
- The unit cycling on and off in quick succession
- An inability to get to the temperature you have set
Should you see any of that, a professional should have a look at it before you are in dire need of the heat.
Give Your Outdoor Unit Some Space
Leaves and other yard detritus have a way of accumulating around your outdoor unit in the course of the summer. Put in a few minutes to clear it so the unit can breathe and trim back any encroaching shrubbery. Nothing should be propped against it. A clean area is conducive to proper running of the system.
See to Your Thermostat
With the cooling off of the weather, your summer schedule on the thermostat may be obsolete. Make the necessary changes to suit the season, and if it is a programmable model, set it for the cooler part of the day. Such minor tweaks will ensure reasonable energy consumption in the transition months without sacrificing comfort.
A Maintenance Plan is an Option
It can feel like a lot to stay on top of everything. Most homeowners would rather have a professional do the regular checkups. Then there is our MVP Program and Club Membership, designed for year round care of your system.
And should you be in the market for a new system or a repair, we can have financing approved in 24 hours so the expense is no obstacle to having a comfortable home.
Get in Touch with the Polar Bears
Our courteous Polar Bears are available to assist you in Scottsdale, Tempe, Phoenix and Tucson with whatever you need, be it a checkup or a repair. We are at your service 24/7.
Call us at (520) 214-0423 to have Alaskan Air Conditioning & Heating put your mind at ease for the coming season.