It’s time to prepare your house, home castle, or cabin for the long, hot Arizona summer. This week, we asked Rosie Certified Partner, Don Wade of Pro Solutions Air to educate us on how to maintain our HVAC, electricity, and solar systems, including tips on what to expect from a thorough professional review of these systems.
HVAC – Heating / Ventilation / Air Conditioning
As the summer days heat up, several key aspects of maintaining your HVAC system are worth considering. Don tells us that there are some things homeowners can do themselves, while others will require professional knowledge and equipment.
Basic DIY maintenance starts with simple cleaning. For equipment to operate at maximum efficiency and for the interior air quality to remain high, it can’t be mired down by dirt.
- Use a garden hose to carefully clean the outside coils, removing dust, dirt, and debris. Keep the pressure low to prevent bending the delicate coil fins.
- Replace filters and keep spares on hand to replace them every 30 to 60 days, depending on the level of dust in the air and whether you have pets.
- Outdoor condensing units are housed in a big metal box. The top is usually open to allow exhaust hot air to escape. Leaves and windborne debris can collect there, bogging down a system’s efficiency. There are screens that can protect this part of the system. Don’s wife and partner, Tyra Wade, suggests that if you are unsure how to install these, you might want to relegate that job to the pros.
- Indoor registers. Take the register grate off the duct work. This step may require use of a screwdriver. Clean it with water and a soft brush to remove dust and other debris. Look inside the duct also and wipe what you can with a damp cloth.
- Duct insulation. If you can see your duct work, inspect the insulation for tears and varmint damage. Replace missing insulation, (you can typically get small quantities at your local hardware store). Use duct tape to repair any tears.
Professionals use specialized equipment and knowledge to do a thorough inspection of the unit. They can make adjustments and repairs for higher efficiency.
- A professional will check temperature levels throughout the home in each area to be sure the thermostat and thermometer are in sync. Warm spots during the cooling months will affect comfort levels and indicate a potentially larger problem.
- Checking the refrigerant levels is essential. If levels are down, Don says the first course of action is to determine why they are down before recharging the system. There could be a leak in the line or a loose connection. Tracking down leaks takes some instrument sleuthing as the lines themselves are not always visible.
Don says the goal is to have your system operation to be consistent with the factory specs for that unit.
Electrical Systems
While monitoring usage by reading your electrical bill is important, there is more to consider.
Some DIY tasks you can undertake include:
- Minimize surges and inconsistent power by turning off all unused devices in your home. Unplug them or switch them off, as they can contribute to the dirty power in your home.
- By using a multimeter, a device that measures voltage, current, and resistance, you can determine the consistency of the power throughout your home. If you know how circuits are set up in your home, you can test each one or test each outlet. Record the results, and if discrepancies occur, consult with professionals to correct power flow.
Professional Maintenance
- Electrical safety | Heat can affect some of the parts that make up your system. Testing circuit breakers, visible wiring and verifying the proper operation of each GFI and ARC Fault should be included in a professional inspection.
Label your breaker box to save time in these projects - Stabilize Static | Power entering your home, Tyra tells us, can bring a lot of static. There are ways to condition the electricity in your home by installing devices that stabilize voltage and filter out electrical noise. These units can protect individual electrical devices or be applied to your entire home. These units can also provide surge protection.
Solar Systems
Solar systems require regular upkeep, just like other systems. If the solar company that installed your system has gone out of business, it is essential to find someone who can provide ongoing maintenance. Pro Solutions Air can provide that service for clients who have a system that has no one to maintain it. Some of the more common requests are:
- Replace broken panels. Panels that are either cracked or no longer functioning need to be replaced to ensure consistent electrical output.
- Renew older systems that have been in operation for a while and their components are no longer functioning to factory specifications.
- Inverter problems. The inverter is the most critical component in any photovoltaic system. It converts the direct current (DC) from the panels into alternating current (AC) needed to provide electricity to our home.
Solar systems require regular maintenance - Mounting issues. The frames and connectors of the system to your roof can get worn from weather and movement. Tar or roofing mastic can dry out and crack, requiring replacement.
Ask Your Repairman
Most of us cannot do all the repair work necessary at our home. When you have a company out to service your systems, ask about DIY tips to maintain them. A good technician will work with the facts from their testing reports, teach you what you can do, and professionally perform tasks that are outside your expertise.
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CONTENT PARTNER | PRO SOLUTIONS AIR
Pro Solutions Air Conditioning & Heating deliver expert care with precision workmanship. With over 20 years of experience, there is no problem too big, only the solution. We promise to get you cool as fast as possible. Pro Solutions Air services the entire valley, Arizona for air conditioning, heating, cooling, A/C repair, installation of air conditioning units, and more. 100% satisfaction guaranteed!
PODCAST
June 7, 2025
Tyra Wade of Pro Solutions Air educates us on how to maintain our HVAC, electricity, and solar systems to stay comfortable and efficient during the hot summer and year round. She shares tips on what to expect from a thorough professional review of these systems.
Original Broadcast Archive Page With Expanded Content
PHOTO CREDIT
- Istock
