Spring (March–May): Get Ready Before the Heat Hits
Spring is the most important season for AC prep in Arizona. By the time June arrives, temperatures across the high desert are already climbing into the 90s and 100s. You want your system fully dialed in before it’s working at full capacity.
Schedule professional AC maintenance.
This is the single highest-impact thing you can do for your system’s efficiency. A trained technician will clean the evaporator and condenser coils, check refrigerant levels, lubricate moving parts, inspect electrical connections, calibrate your thermostat, and test overall system performance. Spring maintenance also helps you catch developing problems, like a worn capacitor, low refrigerant, a weak contactor, before they become emergency breakdowns in July.
Most manufacturer warranties require documented annual maintenance to remain valid. Goettl’s airCARE Membership makes this easy — members get a complimentary HVAC inspection every year, plus 15% off all services and priority emergency dispatch for $99 annually. AC maintenance visits are scheduled between January and May.
Replace your air filter.
Arizona’s dry, dusty environment means filters load up faster than the manufacturer’s standard recommendation suggests. Check your filter monthly and replace it when it looks gray — don’t wait for the scheduled interval if it’s visibly clogged. A choked filter forces your system to work harder, reduces airflow, and can eventually cause the evaporator coil to freeze.
Keep a spare filter on hand so there’s no excuse to delay a replacement.
Clean around the outdoor condenser unit.
After a winter of wind and debris accumulation, your condenser likely needs attention before cooling season. Clear any vegetation, leaves, or debris from around the unit and make sure at least 2 feet of clearance exists on all sides. Check that the condenser fins aren’t packed with dust or debris. After Arizona’s dust storms, this is common. A professional coil cleaning will handle what a garden hose can’t.
Check your vents and return air grilles.
Walk through your home and confirm all supply vents are open and unobstructed. Furniture, rugs, and curtains are common culprits. Also check your return air grilles; a blocked return restricts airflow system-wide and reduces efficiency throughout the home.
Test your thermostat.
Set the thermostat to cool and confirm the system responds correctly. If you have an older programmable thermostat, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat. The ability to set temperature schedules around your daily routine (raising the temperature while you’re at work, cooling back down before you return) can produce meaningful energy savings over a full Arizona summer.
Early Summer (June): Efficiency Habits That Add Up
Use ceiling fans strategically.
Ceiling fans running counterclockwise in summer create a wind chill effect that can make a room feel up to 8–10°F cooler than it actually is. That means you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. The key: turn fans off when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not spaces — running them in empty rooms wastes energy.
Manage solar heat gain.
South- and west-facing rooms in Arizona homes absorb enormous amounts of solar heat during afternoon hours. Insulated curtains, cellular shades, or window film on those exposures reduce the heat load your AC has to fight. This is especially impactful in rooms that tend to run warmer than the rest of the house.
Don’t generate unnecessary indoor heat.
Ovens, stovetops, and even dishwashers add heat load during their operating cycles. In Arizona’s summer, this is a real factor. Grilling outdoors, running the dishwasher overnight, and using the microwave instead of the oven during the hottest part of the day all reduce how hard your AC has to work.
Monsoon Season (July–September): Adjust for Humidity
Arizona’s monsoon season brings conditions your AC wasn’t designed for during the dry months; higher humidity, sudden temperature drops followed by heat rebounds, and heavy dust from storm activity.
Check your air filter more frequently.
After every significant haboob, check your filter. Fine particulate matter from dust storms loads filters rapidly and can cause airflow problems within days of a major storm event.
Monitor indoor humidity.
If your home has a humidity problem during monsoon season (condensation on windows, a musty smell, or persistent discomfort despite adequate cooling) your AC may be struggling to dehumidify effectively. An oversized AC unit that short cycles is a common culprit; it cools the air quickly but doesn’t run long enough to pull adequate moisture out. This is worth a conversation with a technician.
Consider your duct system.
Monsoon humidity can make duct leaks more apparent — conditioned air escaping into wall cavities and unconditioned spaces becomes a bigger problem when outdoor air is warm and humid. If you’ve never had your ductwork inspected or sealed, monsoon season is a good time to notice whether your system is working harder than it should.
Fall (October): Post-Season Maintenance
Clean the outdoor condenser after monsoon season.
The combination of monsoon rain and dust leaves a distinctive residue on condenser coils and fins. A post-season cleaning sets your system up well for the shoulder months and any late heat events.
Consider duct cleaning and sealing.
If your home has rooms that never quite cooled down to the rest of the house during summer, leaky or dirty ductwork is often the reason. Goettl’s offers Aeroseal duct sealing, a process that pressurizes your duct system and seals leaks from the inside, which is more thorough and longer-lasting than traditional manual sealing methods.
Year-Round: Don’t Ignore the Signs
Running a malfunctioning AC system is one of the fastest ways to drive up energy bills. If you notice any of the following, call a technician rather than waiting:
- Higher than usual energy bills without a change in usage habits
- Longer run times to reach the set temperature
- Unusual sounds — banging, rattling, hissing, squealing
- Warm or inconsistent airflow from vents
- Visible ice on refrigerant lines or the indoor unit
- Thermostat readings that don’t match actual room temperature
Catching small problems early almost always costs less than waiting for a full breakdown.
Is It Time to Upgrade?
If your AC system is more than 10–12 years old, it’s worth factoring efficiency ratings into your planning even if the system is still running. Modern high-efficiency systems, particularly heat pumps, can significantly reduce energy costs in Arizona’s climate. Qualifying heat pump upgrades may also be eligible for Energy Star rebates and IRA federal tax credits of up to $10,000.
Keep Your AC Running at Its Best — Call Goettl’s
Goettl’s High Desert Mechanical provides AC maintenance, repair, and installation across central and northern Arizona, including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Sedona, Chino Valley, Flagstaff, Payson, and surrounding communities. Our NATE-certified technicians are available 24/7 for emergency service.
Ready to get ahead of the summer heat? Join our airCARE Membership for $99 per year and never miss a maintenance visit again.
Call or Schedule Service to schedule your spring AC tune-up today.
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