Summer is fast approaching! While the weather is still warm and pleasant, ensure your air conditioner is ready to beat the coming heat. It’s time to start preparing your air conditioner for summer temperatures, the scorching, blistering days of Arizona’s hottest season. Read on to discover essential pre-summer maintenance tips for optimum cooling efficiency.

Pay Attention to Safety

Turn off the circuit breaker in your service panel. Locate the 240-volt disconnect box near the air conditioning unit containing a lever, switch, or fuse. Turn this off as well. 

Clean or replace the Air Filter 

The filter in your air conditioning system traps airborne pollutants (dust, debris, pollen), eventually becoming clogged. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations to determine if the filter can be cleaned and how often it needs replacing. If it is a washable filter, gently vacuum it, then wash it in lukewarm water.  If it is not a washable filter, replace it with the manufacturer’s recommended filter. Hepa, washable, pleated, and fiberglass filters are available for most models.

Clean the Inside Portion of the System 

Check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your model. Remove the indoor access panel. Apply a foaming cleaner (available at hardware stores) to the evaporator coils. Remove all debris that falls from the coils. Some types of coils may be cleaned with a soft brush and/or gentle vacuuming. Reinstall the access panel. 

Clean the Outside Portion of the System

Check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your model. Remove the outdoor grille from your system. Clear all debris from the base of the condenser unit (leaves, dirt, grass clippings, etc.). Use a hose to wash away debris on the fins and components of the unit. Apply a foaming cleaner (available at hardware stores) to the evaporator coils. Remove all debris that falls from the coils. Ensure the drain is clear. Use a fin comb (available at hardware stores) to straighten bent fins. Use a vacuum to clean the blower fans, then replace the grille. 

Clean Around the Unit

Remove debris (leaves, sticks, grass clippings, etc.) around the unit. Trim bushes and trees, leaving two feet of clear space around the system. 

Check the Coolant Lines 

Foam-covered tubes and/or pipes run from the unit to the condenser outside. Check this insulation for fraying and/or missing pieces. If the foam is damaged, replace it with new insulation sleeves or wrap it in insulation tape. Check for holes/cracks in the tubes/pipes that may allow coolant to leak. If leakage is evident, contact an HVAC specialist to help with repairs.

Program the Thermostat 

Program the thermostat for more cooling during periods when someone is home and less for when you are at work, ensuring energy savings.

Test Your Unit 

Test the unit by turning the power back on and checking the vents for cool air movement. 

Don’t let the heat of Arizona’s summer get you down! Ensure your comfort through the scorching temperatures by preparing your air conditioner for summer. Undertake annual maintenance and repair so you may relax despite the simmering summer heat. 

Not sure you understand how to do the maintenance and repairs? Not up for the task of preparing your air conditioner for summer? Contact McMillian Air. Our highly trained technicians are ready to service and repair all makes and models. We’ll have your cooling system repaired in a timely fashion, for a reasonable cost. Need a new air conditioning system? We can help with that too! Book an appointment today.