Why Summer Preparation Matters in the Desert
Every year, our service calls spike dramatically starting in late May as temperatures in the Coachella Valley climb past 100 degrees. Appliance breakdowns that could have been prevented with a little preparation end up costing homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars — not to mention the misery of a dead refrigerator when it is 115 degrees outside. Whether you live in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, or out in Desert Hot Springs, taking a few hours to prepare your appliances before summer hits can save you significant money and stress.
Refrigerator and Freezer Preparation
Your refrigerator is the appliance most affected by extreme heat. Start your summer prep here:
- Clean the condenser coils. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and vacuum or brush the condenser coils. Desert dust accumulates fast and acts as insulation, forcing the compressor to work harder. This single step can reduce energy consumption by up to 15%.
- Check door gaskets. Close the door on a dollar bill — if you can pull it out easily, the gasket is not sealing properly. Replace worn gaskets before summer so your fridge does not leak cool air in the heat.
- Verify temperature settings. Your refrigerator should be at 37°F and your freezer at 0°F. Do not set them colder than necessary, as this increases energy use without significant benefit.
- Clear space around the unit. Make sure there is at least two inches of clearance on all sides for proper airflow. Do not stack items on top of the refrigerator.
- Garage refrigerators: If you have a fridge or freezer in the garage, seriously consider moving it indoors for summer. Garage temperatures in the Coachella Valley can exceed 130°F, which is well beyond the operating range of most residential refrigerators.
Washer and Dryer Preparation
Laundry appliances need attention before the desert summer as well:
- Inspect washer hoses. Rubber hoses degrade faster in extreme heat. Look for bulges, cracks, or brittleness. Replace any hose that looks questionable — a burst hose can cause thousands of dollars in water damage. Consider upgrading to braided stainless steel hoses, which last longer in desert conditions.
- Clean the dryer vent. Lint buildup in dryer vents is a fire hazard year-round, but it is especially dangerous in the dry desert climate. Have the vent professionally cleaned if it has been more than six months. Make sure the exterior vent flap opens freely.
- Run a washer cleaning cycle. Use hot water with a commercial washer cleaner or two cups of white vinegar to remove mineral deposits from the drum, hoses, and pump. Hard water buildup is worse in the Coachella Valley than almost anywhere else in California.
- Check the dryer's exterior exhaust. Desert critters — including lizards and small rodents — sometimes nest in dryer vent openings. Clear any obstructions and ensure the vent cover is intact.
Dishwasher Preparation
Hard water is the primary enemy of dishwashers in our region. Before summer, clean the filter basket at the bottom of the tub, inspect the spray arms for clogged holes and clear any mineral deposits with a toothpick, run an empty hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar to dissolve scale buildup, and check the door gasket for mold or damage. If you notice white film on your glasses or dishes, this is a sure sign of hard water mineral buildup. A water softener system can dramatically extend the life of your dishwasher.
Oven and Range Preparation
While you may use your oven less during the hottest months — many Coachella Valley residents switch to outdoor grilling to keep heat out of the house — it still deserves attention. Clean any food residue from the oven interior, check that all burner igniters spark reliably, and verify the oven light works. If you plan to use the self-clean function, do it now rather than in the heat of summer, as the extreme temperatures generated during self-cleaning can trip breakers when your air conditioning is already taxing the electrical system.
Power Surge Protection
Summer in the Coachella Valley brings monsoon storms, rolling brownouts during peak demand, and power fluctuations. Protect your appliances by installing surge protectors on all major appliances, considering a whole-home surge protector installed at the electrical panel, and using an uninterruptible power supply for smart appliances with electronic control boards. After any power outage, wait at least five minutes before restarting refrigerators and air conditioning units to allow compressor pressures to equalize. Starting a compressor against high head pressure can damage or destroy it.
Schedule a Professional Tune-Up
The best time to have your appliances professionally inspected is April or May, before the summer rush. A trained technician can catch developing problems — a worn compressor relay, a weakening fan motor, a slowly leaking gasket — before they turn into emergency breakdowns in July. An ounce of prevention in the spring is worth a pound of cure when it is 118 degrees in La Quinta.