Your A/C Survived Another Arizona Summer. Here’s How to Thank It.

Tip No. 1

Start With a Fresh Filter

Your air filter worked overtime all summer, and haboob dust finds its way into every Arizona home. A clogged filter makes your system work harder and can cause your heat to shut off early. Slide out the old one, note the size printed on the frame, and install a new one with the arrow pointing toward the unit.

Most one-inch filters need changing every one to three months, and sooner if you have pets or someone in the house has allergies.

Tip No. 2

Give the Outdoor Unit a Gentle Bath

Turn the power off at the outdoor disconnect first. Pull away leaves, weeds and gravel, and keep about two feet of open space around the unit. Then rinse the metal fins with a regular garden hose, spraying gently from the top down.

Skip the pressure washer. High pressure bends the thin fins and blocks airflow. If you spot fins that are already bent or a coil caked with mud, leave the deep cleaning to a technician.

Tip No. 3

Flush the Drain Line

Your A/C pulls water out of the air all summer, and the drain line that carries it away can grow algae and clog. Look for the white PVC pipe near your indoor unit with a removable cap. Pour in about a cup of distilled white vinegar, wait 30 minutes, then follow it with water.

A clear drain line helps prevent water damage and system shut-offs next summer.

Tip No. 4

Run Your Heat Before You Need It

On a mild afternoon, switch the thermostat to Heat and set it a few degrees above the room temperature. Warm air should arrive within a few minutes. A faint burning-dust smell the first time is normal as the system burns off months of dust; it should fade quickly.

If the smell lasts, smells electrical, or the system won’t start, turn it off and give us a call. More on your first heating run →

Tip No. 5

Give Your Thermostat a Fall Reset

Pop in fresh batteries if your thermostat uses them, and update any summer schedule. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests around 68°F in winter while you’re home and awake, and lower while you sleep or are away.

Tip No. 6

Test Your Carbon Monoxide Alarms

If your home has a gas furnace, water heater or fireplace, press the test button on every carbon monoxide alarm and replace batteries as needed. Check the date on the back: most alarms need replacing every five to ten years.

Tip No. 7

Flip Your Ceiling Fans

In summer, fans should spin counterclockwise to push air down. For cooler months, switch them to clockwise on a low speed to gently move warm air from the ceiling back into the room.

Tip No. 8

Hunt Down the Drafts

Desert sun dries out weatherstripping and caulk. On a breezy day, hold your hand near door edges and window frames. If you feel moving air, inexpensive weatherstripping or a bead of caulk can keep warm air in and dust out.