HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It’s the equipment that heats, cools and moves air through your home, and in Tucson cooling is the main job. Climate Pros Tucson matches homeowners with licensed pros who work on all of it.
What are the parts?
- Cooling. An air conditioner, a heat pump in cooling mode, an evaporative (swamp) cooler or a ductless mini-split.
- Heating. A gas furnace, a heat pump or electric strip heat.
- Ventilation. Fans, ducts and filters that move and clean the air.
- Controls. The thermostat tells the equipment what to do.
What can you see at your house?
An outdoor condenser unit on a pad or the roof, an indoor air handler or furnace, supply vents and return grilles, and a thermostat. Some Tucson homes have a roof-mounted package unit that puts everything in one box. Others have an evaporative cooler on the roof instead of an AC. Your home might have any of these. We won’t guess which.
What kinds of systems are there?
| System | What it does | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| Split system | Outdoor condenser plus indoor coil | Ground-set or paired with a furnace |
| Package unit | One cabinet outside or on the roof | Roof or side pad |
| Heat pump | Cools and heats | The sensible default in the basin |
| Evaporative cooler | Cools using water and dry air | Works best in the dry months |
| Mini-split | Ductless indoor heads | Additions and older homes |
Why does Tucson change the picture?
Tucson averages about 68 days a year at or above 100F, so the system works hard. Its heating demand is small by comparison, about 2.6 cooling degree days for every heating degree day. That’s why a heat pump is the sensible default for a basin home. Read heat pump vs AC.
The monsoon runs June 15 through September 30. Dew points at the airport jump into the high 50s in July and August, which is why evaporative coolers struggle then. See monsoon humidity and AC and swamp cooler vs AC.
Who works on HVAC?
In Arizona, HVAC contractors are licensed by the Registrar of Contractors. The R-39 class covers air conditioning and refrigeration, including evaporative cooling and heating. You can check any pro at roc.az.gov. Refrigerant work also needs EPA Section 608 certification. Every pro we send is licensed.
What do you need to do as the owner?
- Change the filter on a regular schedule.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear.
- Get the system checked before summer.
- Note odd sounds, smells and cooling changes, and report them early.
See HVAC maintenance schedule for Tucson, HVAC maintenance and AC repair. Our Tucson hub shows where we cover, and the complete guide to Tucson HVAC goes further.
When to call us
When something stops working or you’re planning a replacement, a licensed pro can help. Call (520) 353-2520 and we’ll match you with a licensed local pro.