Summer is coming, which means the Sonoran Desert heat is creeping up on Southern Arizona residents

If this summer is repeat of last, Tucson air conditioners are in for a workout.

Tucson last summer recorded one of the hottest summers in the country with high temperatures averaging 102 degrees.  The city set a record for 100-plus degree days at 112, which beat the 2020 record of 108 days. 

Tucson HVAC technicians advise homeowners to get their air conditioners tuned up now before business picks up in late May. Getting an appointment during the summer months can often take weeks.  

Mario Knezevic, owner of Air & Solar Technology LLC., says homeowners need to be diligent and find HVAC companies that can check their units twice a year –  in the fall for heating and spring for cooling. 

Knezevic, who has been in business in Tucson for more than 20 years, suggests a few ways to keep your house cooler during the summer includes checking the sealing on windows and doors to keep air inside and making sure there is no furniture blocking air ducts. 

 He said nearly 75% of systems fail because of dirty filters. Changing filters one to three times a year can save your AC system from failing.

Knezevic said some warning signs to look for when evaluating your AC system is to check if room temperatures are uneven in different rooms and if your AC is coming on and off too frequently. That and spikes in your electric bill could be signs of problems that need immediate attention, he said.  

Knezevic suggests that 78 degrees on your thermostat should be a suggested temperature range as it can save you money. Installing a smart thermostat can help you maintain the temperature more accurately and can be programmed to take advantage of the lower-priced off-peak hours. 

Arizona has seen a 14%  increase in construction jobs. In Pima County, construction jobs have jumped 6% increase with 1,800 of those in HVAC – double the national average, said John Gerard, an instructor and head of Pima Community College’s Building Construction Department.

PCC has 100 students enrolled in its HVAC program. PCC is the only school in Southern Arizona that offers a one-year certification and two-year associate’s degree in heating, ventilation and air conditioning.  HVAC related programs. To learn more go to:  https://www.pima.edu/academics-programs/degrees-certificates/industry-manuf-construction/building-construction/hvac-r-technician-cert/index.html

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.