How to Prepare Your House for the Arizona Heat – 7 Quick and Easy Tips
With summer’s bright and sunny days accompanied by balmy nights, it’s easy to forget just how quickly the Arizona heat can become uncomfortable. So, if you’re wondering: how hot does it get in Arizona?
Well, expect temperatures of 90°F (32.2°C) to 120°F (48.9°C).
You’ll need to make sure that your air conditioners are working properly, and pools and sprinkler systems are in tip-top condition. Water bills soar when the summer heat is at its peak and anything you can do to minimize problems before the heat hits will be money well spent.
Here are 7 tips to help you prepare your home for the Arizona heat:
Tip #1 Clean Your Air Conditioner and the Surrounding Area
Air conditioners work best when they have an uninterrupted airflow. During the year, lots of dirt, weeds, dead leaves, and bushes can grow around your air conditioner and prevent it from receiving proper airflow.
Giving your air conditioner a clean as well as cutting back the bushes will ensure that it operates efficiently.
Tip #2 Change Your Central Air Conditioner Air Filter
Your air conditioner is designed to send clean, cool air throughout your home. The last thing you want is for it to introduce pollen, dust, and sand into the air.
For air conditioning maintenance, we recommend that you replace your filters every 60 to 90 days or even more often during high pollen periods. Your air conditioner will also perform more efficiently when it is not under stress from a clogged filter.
What temperature to set the thermostat in summer is on everyone’s mind and we recommend that you set yours around 75 degrees – 80 degrees.
Tip #3 Insulate Your Attic
As the sun bakes down on your roof, heat is transferred to the interior of your house if there is no proper insulation to act as a barrier.
The best time to insulate your attic is in spring. Use an insulating material that is rated R38 to R60. This is the recommended R-value rating for Arizona and relates to both the thickness and the material’s resistance to heat.
Your energy bills will drop once you don’t have to counter the effects of the hot sun baking your roof. The benefits are immediately felt in both a more comfortable interior and lower energy bills.
Tip #4 Seal Any Air Leaks
The better insulated your home is, the better you’ll be able to withstand the summer heat. Replace the caulking around windows and doors and replace or repair weather strips. Don’t forget that electrical outlets and fittings need to be sealed too, in order to keep the cool air inside from escaping.
Tip #5 Inspect Your AC Drain Line
The drain line makes sure that any excess water is drained away. If it is clogged, you can get pools of water forming inside your home that attract mold and mildew.
A technician can inspect your air conditioner to make sure that the water is draining properly and that your air conditioner is running efficiently.
Tip #6 Set Your AC to Cool
As simple as it seems, sometimes we can forget to turn our air conditioners to a cool setting.
Just setting the controls to a lower temperature won’t cause your air conditioner to turn on. You have to change it over from “heat” to “cool” so that it switches on when the thermostat detects the inside temperature is in excess of the setting you want.
Tip #7 Schedule an Air Conditioning Maintenance Appointment
Regular maintenance will ensure that your air conditioner works flawlessly when you most need it.
For advice on air conditioning in Arizona, PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air is your residential expert in AC repair in Arizona. They can check your refrigerant level and ensure that your unit is running optimally.
As Arizona HVAC contractors, PlumbSmart performs regular maintenance on all air conditioning units to keep them running all summer long. And if you need a new air conditioner installed, then they will be happy to quote you for a new one.
PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air believes that everyone should have access to heating, cooling, and clean water. They strive to give back to the community and support Paz de Cristo in Mesa, Apache Junction, Gilbert, and Scottsdale. This amazing organization is well worth supporting in its efforts to help all Arizonans in need. Contact us today to learn more.