When the mercury goes over 100, is your air conditioner having trouble coping? You may find warm air at the vents when you are in need of some cool. Or perhaps the home never seems quite comfortable and the energy bill has been on the rise.
It is a familiar scenario for many. We have been putting Tucson and Southern Arizona homeowners at ease since 2010 here at Pride Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical. Our people are available from Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day; the heat in Arizona is not going to wait for us to open for business. Give us a ring at (520) 467-6373.
An air conditioner in this part of the country has more work to do than in most places. The strain of it all will cause wear and tear and with time, problems. It is best to be aware of what can go amiss so one does not end up with a complete breakdown on the year’s hottest day.
Why Arizona Is So Hard on Air Conditioners
The desert climate is unforgiving to cooling systems. Between the dust and the extreme daytime highs of our long summers, there is a toll to be paid. In milder climes a system could see twenty years of service but not so much here. For that reason we put a premium on regular upkeep in Tucson and out in Marana, Vail, Green Valley, Oro Valley and other communities in the area.
We run across a few types of problem more than others in the hot months:
- Leaks in the refrigerant
- A unit being put under stress by clogged or dirty filters
- Evaporator coils freezing up due to low refrigerant or poor airflow
- Worn electrical parts and capacitors on the way out
- A thermostat that makes the system short cycle or run without let up
- Condensate drains getting clogged and shutting the system down or causing water damage
- Blower and fan motor troubles
Warm Air From Your Vents
There is nothing like an air conditioner that is running yet only puts out warm air to test one’s patience. July is not the month to put off dealing with it. Low refrigerant, a compressor or a frozen coil are likely culprits. Let a professional have a look at it before it worsens.
Weak Airflow and Uneven Cooling
If one room is cool and another is not, the weak airflow can be put down to duct issues, a blower motor in distress or a filter in need of attention. Dust in the desert will clog a filter quicker than a homeowner might think, so make a habit of checking and replacing it.
Strange Noises and Odd Smells
A well functioning air conditioner is quiet. Should you hear grinding or a rattle, something has probably come loose. A burning smell is indicative of an electrical issue; musty odors of mold or a blocked drain line. Any of these are reason to turn the system off and put in a call.
Short Cycling
Quick bursts of the air conditioner turning on and off is known as short cycling and it is hard on components as well as your energy costs. Be it an oversized unit, a refrigerant matter or where the thermostat is placed, it is not to be overlooked.
Preventing Common Problems
With some routine care most failures are avoidable. Our Pride Protection Plan is designed for just that. An annual membership that gives you four visits a year for a plumbing tune-up along with HVAC and electrical inspections, all for a single payment. A straightforward way to head off any trouble in the house.
Pride Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is fully licensed and insured (ROC License 356279, 356280, 356281) and we are pleased with our BBB A+ rating. We provide free estimates so there are no surprises. Our service area covers Tucson, Sahuarita, Saddlebrooke, Sierra Vista, Rancho Vistoso and all of Southern Arizona.
Our team is on hand seven days a week for whatever repair or inspection is called for. Call us at (520) 467-6373 and put an end to your family having to sweat out an Arizona afternoon.