It is hot in Palm Springs right now. The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the area, with temperatures expected to climb into the 110s. And when it is that hot outside, nobody wants to discover that the air conditioner has decided it has had enough.Â
The AC is probably running almost nonstop already, working hard to keep the house somewhere between “comfortable” and “why am I sweating in my own living room?” Finding reliable HVAC services near Palm Springs can help when something goes wrong, but a little maintenance can also go a long way toward keeping the system running through the heat.Â
There is a practical reason to pay attention, too. A dirty or struggling HVAC system can use more energy, wear out faster and contribute to dust and moisture problems indoors. Here are the maintenance tasks that matter most right now.
Why HVAC Maintenance Matters in Extreme Heat
An air conditioner working occasionally is one thing. An air conditioner running for hours on end because it is 115°F outside is another.
When filters are clogged, airflow is restricted or outdoor coils are covered in debris, the system has to work harder to remove heat from the house. That can mean higher energy bills, uneven cooling and more stress on components that are already working overtime.
There is also the question of indoor air quality. During a heat wave, windows stay shut and people spend more time indoors, so keeping the HVAC system clean and properly maintained matters for more than comfort.
1. Check the Filter More Often
Changing the air filter at the beginning of summer and forgetting about it until next year is not going to cut it when the AC is running constantly.
In fact, checking HVAC filters is recommended monthly during periods of heavy use and replacing them at least every three months too, or sooner if they are dirty.
Some homes need even more frequent changes. If there are children or pets in the house, someone has allergies or asthma, or the home is exposed to a lot of dust or traffic pollution, checking the filter every month is a good habit. Depending on the filter and conditions, replacement every one to two months may make more sense.
The simplest approach? Look at it. If the filter is visibly gray and packed with dust, it is time.
2. Give the Outdoor Unit Some Breathing Room
Take a quick walk around the outdoor condenser. Is it surrounded by weeds, shrubs, grass clippings, leaves or other debris? Clear it out.
The outdoor unit needs good airflow to release the heat it has pulled from inside the house. Keep plants, weeds and shrubs at least two feet away from the unit, and make sure mower discharge is directed away from it.
It is also worth clearing pollen, twigs and debris from the top of the unit. Just be careful with those delicate metal fins. If they are badly bent or damaged, it is better to have a professional take a look than to start poking around with tools.
Inside the house, make sure furniture, curtains or other objects are not blocking vents and returns. Good airflow helps the system cool the house evenly instead of turning one room into a refrigerator while another feels like a sauna.
Source: Unsplash
3. Keep the Dog Away From the Condenser
Yes, this deserves its own section.
If a male dog regularly uses the outdoor HVAC unit as a territory marker, it can cause real damage. Dog urine is highly corrosive and can damage the aluminum fins and copper coils in the condenser. Over time, corrosion can contribute to refrigerant leaks and expensive repairs.
So, if the dog has decided the AC unit is his personal billboard, it is time to redirect that behavior. A simple barrier can help protect the equipment.
4. Pay Attention to What You See, Hear and Smell
You do not need to be an HVAC technician to notice that something is wrong.
Watch for water. Puddles around an indoor unit can point to a clogged condensate drain, frozen evaporator coil or another problem. Do not ignore recurring water.
Listen for strange noises. Grinding, rattling, buzzing or squealing that was not there before is worth investigating. A strange noise is often easier and cheaper to address when it first appears than after a component fails completely.
Pay attention to smells. Musty or unusual odors may indicate a cleanliness or moisture problem. A burning or electrical smell is more serious: turn the system off and call a professional.
When to Call an HVAC Technician
Some maintenance is perfectly reasonable for homeowners. Other jobs should be left to someone who knows what they are doing.
Call a professional if energy bills suddenly rise despite similar household usage, if the home develops hot and cold spots or the system cannot reach and maintain the thermostat setting. Those can all indicate that something is affecting the system’s performance.
Damaged condenser fins are another reason to schedule an inspection. And if the HVAC equipment has been exposed to significant water or flooding, do not attempt to troubleshoot its electrical components yourself. Water and electricity are a particularly bad combination.
A professional inspection is also worth scheduling annually. Regular maintenance can catch problems before they turn into an emergency, which is exactly what homeowners want when the forecast is calling for triple-digit temperatures.
