Welcome Back, Snowbirds! Prepare Your Arizona Home for Your Winter Stay

With cooler fall temperatures arriving and Arizona sunshine beckoning, it is time to prepare your Tucson, AZ, home for a comfortable and safe winter stay. 

At Temperature Control, we have helped countless snowbirds prepare for the winter season, ensuring their heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems run smoothly after months of home vacancy. Getting everything ready can feel overwhelming, but the good news is you don’t have to do it all alone. 

Our team of experienced, certified technicians can handle every item on your checklist, from a comprehensive AC check to a water system flush and a complete electrical safety inspection. Your transition back to Arizona will be seamless and comfortable. 

We created this guide to help you understand what to do when you arrive and what you can put off until you settle in.

Reopening Your Home in Greater Tucson

You likely will re-engage your heating and cooling system and plumbing right away. Here’s what you can do without professional help: 

• Cooling Your Home: Your air conditioner or heat pump has been dormant for months. Avoid setting the thermostat to the lowest possible temperature because it will strain the unit. Bring cooling back gradually. Start with a moderate temperature, no lower than 78° Fahrenheit, and let the system run for a few hours. You can lower the setting after the AC or heat pump runs smoothly. 

• Heating Your Home: Turn your heating system on to ensure it runs properly. Odd noises and odors, weak airflow, and insufficient heating indicate a problem that could leave you shivering during cold desert nights. Call us at Temperature Control for a system tune-up and safety check if your heating system or thermostat isn’t responding or if you skipped maintenance the prior year. 

• Check Your Air Filter: If your air filter is dirty, replace it. Your manufacturer’s manual provides guidance on replacement frequency and filter type. 

• Unobstructed Airflow: Open closed air vents and remove obstructions like drapes and furniture. 

• Turn Your Water On: Turn your water main on slowly, then open every faucet one by one and let the water flow for a few minutes to flush out sediment and eliminate air from the water supply lines. Flush the toilets a few times.  The discoloring in the water should disappear. 

• Re-Engage Your Water Heater: If you shut off the cold water supply to your water heater last season, now is the time to turn it back on. If your water heater was set to “vacation” mode, to its lowest setting, or “pilot,” reverse the setting. Restore power and your preferred temperature.  

• Check for Leaks: Look for leaks under every sink and around the toilet while running the water. Small leaks can become big problems if left unaddressed. Try tightening connections to correct any minor drips. However, if leaks persist, your pipes emit a banging sound, the water pressure is low, or odd smells emanate from your faucets, request service from us at Temperature Control, and one of our licensed plumbers will inspect and repair plumbing issues. 

• Electrical: Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Turn on your appliances and check for anything unusual, such as lights flickering. Flip light switches, test electrical outlets, and check your security system and Wi-Fi router. Call us at Temperature Control for service if any outlets appear scorched or breakers have tripped. 

Home TLC After Settling In

Once your Tucson, AZ, home is up and running again, consider scheduling professional tune-ups for a few of your essential home comfort systems, starting with your AC and furnace or heat pump. 

HVAC Maintenance: Your heating and cooling units have been dormant all spring and summer and will benefit from professional care. Our experts will check refrigerant levels, clean coils, and inspect all parts of your AC or heat pump. We will also check your furnace’s safety controls, the heat exchanger, ignition, and other components. 

Plumbing: Your water heater needs professional care, too. Schedule a water heater inspection and a flush to remove sediment buildup, which can reduce efficiency and lifespan. One of our licensed plumbers can flush the tank, check for corrosion, and ensure all safety valves are working correctly.

Electrical: An electrical inspection will give you peace of mind that your breaker panel, outlets, and wiring are safe and up to code. Don’t let unresolved electrical issues go unaddressed, even if they seem minor. Let one of our Temperature Control electricians thoroughly inspect and repair your system. 

Air Quality: Arizona dust and pollen can build up in your home even when you are absent for several months. Contaminants can enter through gaps and cracks in your home’s envelope and HVAC system. 

Scrupulously dusting, vacuuming, and mopping can help keep your HVAC unit and indoor air clean. A professional ductwork inspection for leaks and buildup also leads to improved air. Our Temperature Control team patches, insulates, and cleans ductwork. We also recommend and install air filtering and purification systems.

Make Temperature Control Your Home Services Partner  

Let Temperature Control be your all-in-one solution for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical in your Tucson, AZ, home. One call to us can handle all your needs, saving you time, money, and hassle so you can enjoy your fall and winter in comfort. Call us at (520) 544-5665 or request service online.