Who doesn’t enjoy that refreshing blast of cold air when you come inside your air-conditioned house after being outside in the excessive summer heat? Air conditioning usage can account for over 60% of your electricity charges during the summer. Valley of the Sun residents also have to deal with monsoon thunderstorms that can potentially wreak havoc on your home and HVAC system with powerful winds, lightning strikes, and localized flooding.

Not sure how to care for your air conditioner during this time of the year? Check out these tips that can go a long way toward ensuring your AC unit and home are ready when the storms hit.

Examine AC Unit Drain Lines

Debris and dust can clog your air conditioning unit’s condensation drain lines. If you notice water is collecting in the drain pan, it’s likely there’s a clogged line. The line can either be DIY unclogged using a wet/dry vacuum or by contacting your local AC professional for help.

Check Outdoors

Secure any outdoor objects, such as pool umbrellas and chairs, which can be flung into HVAC equipment, as well as windows or even power lines, during powerful storms. Remove tree branches, trim back shrubbery, and bag up other yard debris that can easily damage your outdoor AC unit, windows, or doors.

Verify AC Servicing Issues

Here are a few signs your air conditioner may need a service call:

• The AC is often turning on and off for no reason.
• Your monthly energy bills have increased unexpectedly without increased AC usage.
• The compressor is iced up.
• New noisy sounds emanating from the AC unit such as clicking, rattling, buzzing, hissing, or rattling.

Prepare an Emergency Supply Pack

In case there’s a prolonged power outage due to a monsoon thunderstorm, have an emergency supply pack on hand. The pack should include non-perishable food items, a first aid kit, water bottles, flashlights, and extra batteries.

Call Bruce’s

Maybe you’ve delayed having your air conditioner serviced since last year. It’s never too late to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians. We’ll check for any problems and repair them proactively so that small issues won’t turn into big problems that leave you without AC during summer’s sweltering temperatures. Bruce’s will have your HVAC unit running efficiently to save you money in the long run.

By taking some steps to ensure your air conditioner is protected and working properly, you can have a summer free from air conditioner problems. Call Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating today at 480-968-5652 for Valley-wide service during monsoon season and throughout the rest of the year. Bruce’s is here to keep your family comfy and cool.

With the record-breaking temperatures we’ve been experiencing, there’s never been a better time to ensure your air conditioning unit is prepared to keep your home cool. You don’t want to risk your downtime due to an expensive component breaking down. An HVAC maintenance contract is the best way to protect this key piece of equipment. When did you last have your HVAC system checked? Would there be any issues now with your air conditioning unit that you’ve been putting off having a professional take a look at? Here’s what an HVAC maintenance contract is and the benefits of having one.

HVAC Maintenance Contract

Having an HVAC maintenance contract is the single best way to prevent costly repairs or replacement if your system hasn’t been serviced on a regular basis. It’s preventative maintenance to catch problems early rather than after the fact when HVAC system components break down resulting in costly repairs or replacement.

At Bruce’s, twice yearly tune-ups of your air conditioning and heating units include having our technicians identify and repair small maintenance issues before they turn into large problems that result in your HVAC system not working. Regular servicing avoids ignoring issues and hoping they’ll go away on their own. Maintenance extends your HVAC lifespan, keeps it operating at peak efficiency levels, and leads to reduced utility bills.

Advantages of Regular HVAC Maintenance

1. Protects your home and your furnishings. If your home gets too hot or humid indoors, doors can warp, home furnishings can be ruined, and window frames may be damaged.
2. Keeps energy bills low. If you’ve noticed your cooling bills are higher than normal even without cranking up the AC, HVAC parts may be broken or damaged causing the unit to work harder.
3. Saves you money. In the long run, regular maintenance can help you avoid having to replace your entire system before its lifespan. It will give you peace of mind to have affordable repairs when needed before any problems spiral out of control.

Call Bruce’s for HVAC Maintenance

At Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating, we recommend a twice-yearly HVAC maintenance agreement. With an HVAC maintenance contract, you’ll save on the cost of maintenance appointments while getting valuable discounts on necessary repairs for issues that are discovered during these appointments.

Call your locally owned Valley of the Sun professionals today at 480-968-5652 to learn more about the value of an HVAC maintenance contract or to schedule a service call. We’re here for you 24/7/365. Don’t let another day go by without protection for your HVAC system this summer.

There’s a wide range of different noises that your air conditioner can make. HVAC systems have built in noise reduction technology that generally keeps the level between 25 and 65 decibels. If the AC unit is pumping out very loud sounds or unfamiliar noises, it’s going to need help from your local HVAC professionals in the Valley of the Sun. Similar to car noises, an AC sound can let you know there’s an issue that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later. Here’s a list of three AC noises and what may be causing them.

Rattling

Is your AC unit making a constant rattling noise? This can be one of the easier sounds to diagnose. Maybe a recent monsoon thunderstorm may have embedded sticks or dirt debris in the condenser in the outdoor unit. Sometimes a loose screw on the outside AC unit can loosen up over time due to typical unit vibration. Both situations are relatively quick fixes by cleaning the condenser or tightening screws. If you’re hearing the sound inside the house, it can be from air vents recently closed in any of your rooms or from air ducts that have become loose.

Squealing

Possibly one of the most annoying sounds is a high-pitched squealing or screeching noise. There are two common causes. When the humidity levels are elevated during monsoon season, a worn out or broken fan belt can cause this sound. The other potential cause is due to high pressure in the compressor. This is the component pumping refrigerant gas that cools air through the AC unit. It’s best to call for immediate assistance before additional damage is done to the HVAC system.

Clicking

A clicking noise that doesn’t go away can be a problem. There are four typical causes:

• The AC capacitor that powers the compressor can be losing its charge.
• When the thermostat’s relay is broken, or there’s a wiring problem the AC won’t receive power.
• The outdoor AC unit fans may be obstructed by debris or loose.
• A faulty electrical signal somewhere in the AC unit can cause the unit to shut off and on repeatedly.

Bruce’s Pros Are AC Noise Experts

Some sounds can be simple issues to resolve. Other noises can be serious and require help from your local HVAC professionals. You don’t want to neglect unusual sounds from your AC unit. Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating technicians are only a call away. Call us today at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment. We’ll provide you with reliable service from our knowledgeable technicians.

 The official start of the Arizona monsoon season is June 15 and runs through September 30 as established by the National Weather Service. That means that here in the greater Phoenix area we’ll soon be experiencing triple digit temperatures combined with thunderstorms and dust storms. Monsoon storms have the potential to cause damage to your home’s HVAC system, so we wanted to share a few pro tips to keep you and your family cool, comfortable—and most importantly, safe. 

Monsoon

Arizona is part of the North American monsoon geographical area. The monsoon is a season when the wind pattern shifts from dry, westerly winds to moisture laden southerly winds from Mexico. The increase in moisture is the trigger for building thunderstorm activity across Arizona. Monsoon thunderstorms account for about 50% of the annual precipitation in central Arizona. These often-brief intense thunderstorms can result in lightning, heavy rains, flash flooding, hail, and intense winds. 

Haboob

A haboob, an Arabic word for dust storm, is one of the most fascinating weather events to view from a distance. It’s a huge wall of dust that usually forms in the rural areas north of Tucson when powerful winds pick up topsoil moving it north towards Phoenix metro. These powerful dust storms can reduce visibility almost down to zero and may sometimes precede a monsoon thunderstorm. 

HVAC Preparations 

• Start with a clean air filter as monsoon thunderstorms can carry large amounts of dust and other contaminants through the air filter. 
• Seal any openings around doors and windows to prevent dusty, dirty air from entering your AC unit. 
• Clean the area surrounding your outdoor AC unit to lessen the chances of tree branches breaking off and flying debris from high winds causing damage to the unit. 
• Clean the AC coil by spraying the outside of the unit with water before and after severe monsoon thunderstorms. 
• Schedule AC maintenance, if you haven’t had your HVAC unit serviced this year, to help keep the air conditioning system running smoothly. 

Contact Bruce’s for Your HVAC Needs

Now is the perfect time to have your air conditioning system checked and serviced before the extreme weather hits. Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating has the expertise to quickly resolve any HVAC system issues to keep your family comfortable all monsoon thunderstorm season long. Call us today at 480-968-5652. Our technicians are available 24/7 including weekends and holidays.