From mid to late June through September, the Las Vegas area experiences the severe weather of monsoon season. This can include thunderstorms, flash floods and dust storms. Your HVAC system has a lot of work to do to keep you comfortable during this time, and that’s why it’s important to take steps to prepare your system for what’s ahead.
At Pure Plumbing & Air, we can perform the maintenance necessary to prepare your HVAC system for heavy rain, wind and other weather challenges.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
You should schedule routine maintenance for your AC and heating system once or twice a year, but the demands of the monsoon season make it especially important. An HVAC professional has the necessary expertise and equipment to perform all the tasks and identify any problems ahead of the season.
A bonus is that a technician may be able to find and fix issues while they are still easier and cheaper to address during maintenance. If you try to do this routine maintenance yourself, it’s likely you won’t be as thorough or as efficient.
This is also a good opportunity to ask a professional any questions you have about your equipment and for any recommendations regarding monsoon preparation. You can expect an inspection to include the following, all of which are particularly important before the monsoon season.
Condition of Outdoor Unit
A technician will visually inspect your outdoor unit. This will include making sure that there aren’t any shrubs or other types of growth interfering with its operation. If there are, these will need to be cut away.
Condensate Line Inspection
This is one part of your air conditioning system that can be particularly vulnerable to monsoon conditions. Moisture leaves your house via the condensate line. Because the humidity can get so high during the monsoon, putting greater demands on this part, a blockage in the line may be more likely to occur. An inspection ensures that it’s in good shape before the humidity soars.
Condenser Coil Cleaning
This is another part of your AC that can be put to the test during monsoon season. Dust storms can cover your condenser coil in debris. Since the job of the condenser coil is to release heat, this process can become sluggish if it’s covered in dust. At best, your AC will run less efficiently. At worst, it could overheat. An HVAC technician will examine and clean the coil to make sure it’s working correctly.
Ductwork Inspection
If you have a central air system with ducts, this is usually included as part of routine maintenance. Summer dust storms can put a strain on your duct system. You want to be sure it is in good condition before the season starts and that pollutants can’t easily get in.
Cleaning, major repair or replacement of ducts may be separate services, but if you need any of them, get them done before the monsoon as well. You may also want to consider having your ducts sealed and having them cleaned more frequently than recommended if you live in Las Vegas.
Other General Tasks
An HVAC technician will also perform other general tasks as needed, including lubricating, tightening and replacing parts. Your AC is going to work hard in the hot months ahead, and all these small adjustments will go a long way toward ensuring that it’s working as efficiently as possible.
Install a Surge Protector
Electrical surges happen more often than most people realize, and they are common during thunderstorms. Even if they don’t damage your electronics all at once, they can wear them down over time. A whole-home surge protector can prevent this from happening.
Consider a Generator
You may lose power thanks to frequent storms and lightning strikes. Just a couple of hours without AC in a Las Vegas summer can be very uncomfortable. In addition, it doesn’t take long in the heat for your refrigerated and frozen food to go bad. Depending on your situation and that of the people in your household, you may want to consider a generator so that you can at least count on your air conditioning and perhaps a few other systems to work if there’s no power.
If someone in your home is dependent on medical equipment that they need to plug in or if there are people in your household who are very young or old, this expenditure might be worth it. Note that it can be dangerous to operate a generator during the storm itself.
Consider Your Indoor Air Quality
With all the dust and pollutants swirling around thanks to the storm, you will need to be particularly diligent about your indoor air quality, including regular filter changes. You may want to do them more frequently than recommended. Note that if you’ve had a big dust storm, the filter might not be enough to keep dust from getting into your system.
Poor air quality is not just a problem for people who have allergies or respiratory issues. Mold, mildew, dust, pollen and other pollutants can cause a range of ailments, including headaches, coughing and fatigue. Air purifiers can help keep the indoor air quality in your home high when poor outdoor air quality threatens to affect you indoors as well.
High humidity during the monsoon season can create another air quality issue. A dehumidifier can help reduce the humidity in your house and offer greater comfort. Alternately, if dry air is a problem in your home, you may want to install a humidifier.
Staying on Top of Potential Problems
With all the above in mind, it’s important to keep an eye on your HVAC system and make sure it stays in good working order throughout the monsoon season. Regular visual inspections, particularly outside after big storms, can help you make sure that everything remains in good working order.
This includes removing any debris that has landed on or around your outdoor unit. If there has been a lot of rain, make sure that it’s not getting into your unit and causing mold or mildew to grow. Finally, if you do start to notice problems, don’t hesitate to call a professional, even if you had a thorough inspection at the start of the season. Things can still go wrong with your system, and it’s best to address any malfunctions promptly.
Best HVAC Maintenance in the Las Vegas Area
At Pure Plumbing & Air, it’s important to us that you remain comfortable throughout the monsoon season in Las Vegas. We offer several services to help you get ready for the hot, stormy, wet summer ahead, including HVAC maintenance. We can also assist with indoor air quality solutions.
If you’re thinking of upgrading or replacing your heating unit or AC during or after the monsoon, we can install a new system for you. To find out more about how to prepare your HVAC system for the monsoon season and schedule an appointment for service, contact Pure Plumbing & Air today.
