If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you already know that Texas summers are no joke. When the thermometer climbs past 105°F for weeks at a time, your HVAC system becomes one of the most critical pieces of equipment in your home. Proper maintenance is the difference between a comfortable summer and an emergency repair call at the worst possible moment.
Here at Expedition HVAC, based in Garland, TX, we’ve been preparing DFW homes for brutal summers for over 20 years. Here are our top maintenance tips to keep your system running strong all season long.
1. Replace Your Air Filter — More Often Than You Think
In DFW, we recommend replacing standard 1-inch filters every 30–45 days during peak cooling season (May–September). The combination of heavy AC usage, pollen, and dust means filters clog faster here than in milder climates. A clogged filter:
- Reduces airflow, causing your system to work harder
- Can cause the evaporator coil to freeze
- Increases your energy bills
- Shortens the life of your system
2. Clean Around Your Outdoor Condenser Unit
Your outdoor unit needs at least 2 feet of clearance on all sides for proper airflow. Each spring, make sure to:
- Clear away grass clippings, leaves, and debris
- Gently rinse the condenser coils with a garden hose (top-down)
- Trim any shrubs or plants growing close to the unit
- Check that the unit is level — it can shift over time as the ground settles
3. Check and Clear Your Condensate Drain Line
Your AC removes moisture from the air, and that water exits through a condensate drain line. In the DFW humidity, these lines can clog with algae and mold, causing water backup — which triggers a safety shutoff or, worse, water damage inside your home.
Once a month during summer, pour a cup of distilled white vinegar into the condensate drain access port (usually located near your indoor air handler). This prevents algae buildup and keeps the line clear.
4. Test Your Thermostat Before Summer Hits
Switch your thermostat to cooling mode and set it a few degrees below the current room temperature. Make sure cold air is blowing within a few minutes. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, this is a great time to review your settings and make sure your scheduling is optimized for summer.
5. Inspect Your Ductwork for Leaks
Studies show that the average home loses 20–30% of conditioned air through leaks and gaps in ductwork. In DFW, where attics regularly reach 140–160°F in summer, leaky ducts waste enormous amounts of energy. Signs of duct leaks include:
- Rooms that are harder to cool than others
- Visible gaps or disconnected sections at registers or in the attic
- High energy bills relative to neighbors with similar homes
6. Schedule a Professional Tune-Up
A professional HVAC tune-up in the spring (before peak summer) is the best investment you can make in your system. During a full tune-up, a licensed technician will:
- Check refrigerant levels and test for leaks
- Clean evaporator and condenser coils
- Lubricate moving parts
- Inspect electrical connections and measure voltage/amperage
- Test capacitors, contactors, and relay switches
- Check drain line and pan
- Calibrate thermostat
- Measure airflow and static pressure
Our maintenance plan includes two tune-ups per year (spring and fall), priority scheduling, and more — designed specifically for DFW’s extreme climate.
7. Know the Age of Your System
The average lifespan of an AC system in Texas is 12–15 years (compared to 15–20 in milder climates). If your system is approaching 10+ years old, start planning for replacement before an emergency forces your hand. New systems are significantly more efficient — upgrading from a 10-SEER unit to a 16-SEER unit can cut your cooling costs by 40% or more.
Serving All of DFW
Expedition HVAC provides HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation services throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Garland, Richardson, and more. Schedule your spring tune-up today — call 469-905-4822 or book online.
