How Often Should You Service Your AC in Phoenix?

Phoenix summers ask more of an air conditioner than almost anywhere else in the country. When your system runs ten to twelve hours a day for four straight months, small problems turn into big ones fast. That is why most manufacturers call for professional service twice a year in desert climates: once in spring before the cooling season, and once in fall before heating season.

What the spring visit covers

A spring tune-up focuses on everything heat punishes first. Your technician cleans the outdoor condenser coil, checks refrigerant charge, tests capacitors and contactors, clears the condensate drain, and measures airflow across the indoor coil. Each of these takes minutes during maintenance and hours as a repair.

The fall visit is about safety

In the fall the focus shifts to the furnace and heat exchanger. The technician inspects for cracks, tests ignition and safety controls, checks gas pressure, and verifies carbon monoxide levels. A cracked heat exchanger is rare but serious, and fall is the time to catch it.

Between visits, change your filter every one to three months and keep two feet of clearance around the outdoor unit. If your energy bills climb for no clear reason, or one room never cools evenly, schedule a visit early rather than waiting for the season.